Actor-turned-politician Kangana Ranaut was also present at the prayer meeting, which was a somber affair, that took place in New Delhi on December 11. Actor Dharmendra was a legend of Bollywood, and it was no surprise that a lot of celebrities were present for this event, which has been organized by Hema Malini and her daughters Esha Deol and Ahana Deol. Ranaut was seen taking flower offerings before meeting with the family.
Speaking to the media, Kangana remembered her personal experiences with Dharmendra, who she said was a huge inspiration for many artistes like her, who were from a small, middle-class family. “Dharam ji has come from a small village, like me, and has reached the pinnacle of success. He used to remind me of the smell of villages, of the earth. He was so down-to-earth. This is an hour of sadness.”
Kangana also offered condolences to Hema Malini, reiterating that “the BJP is completely with her in this situation.” “She is a very important part of our BJP. The Prime Minister and all of us are with her,” she said.
Thinking back about her own experiences with Dharmendra, Kangana remembered him being encouraging. “He said I was doing very good work, that I fought well for my rights, for my ideologies,” she recalled, taking pride in the advice she received from the senior star.
#WATCH | Delhi: At the prayer meet for late veteran actor Dharmendra, BJP MP-actor Kangana Ranaut says, "Dharam ji came from a small village, just like me, and tasted the peak of success. Seeing him always reminded me of the fragrance of village, of the soil there. He was so… pic.twitter.com/oO6q0Xn9jA
— ANI (@ANI) December 11, 2025
Passing away on November 24, leaving behind a monumental legacy in cinema, Dharmendra has acted in many of Indian cinema’s most revered films, including Ayee Milan Ki Bela, Phool Aur Pathar, Seeta Aur Geeta, Yaadon Ki Baaraat, Sholay, Pratiggya, Charas, and Dharam Veer, which has marked him as “He-Man of Bollywood.”
Fans would get to see the actor in “Ikkis,” a war movie with Agastya Nanda, which would be his last performance on screen, making it a milestone event for all his fans. The Prayer Meet was not only a tribute but also a memory of how this individual has touched so many lives in and around the film industry. His warmth, humility, and genius are and will continue to be a source of inspiration for many.
