Hours after Esha Deol posted a heartfelt tribute on the birth anniversary of their father Dharmendra, actor Sunny Deol also paid an emotional homage on Instagram. Sunny shared a short video capturing a warm moment between himself and his father during a trip to a hill station. In the clip, Sunny asks, “Papa, are you enjoying?” to which Dharmendra, smiling and content, responds, “I am really enjoying my son.” Sunny gently replies, “It’s beautiful.” Accompanying the video, Sunny wrote in Hindi: “Aaj meri papa ka janamdin hai. Papa humesha mere saath hai. Love you papa. Miss you.”
In her tribute earlier that same day, Esha shared a photograph of her with their father. She wrote: “To my darling Papa. Our pact, the strongest bond. ‘us’ through all our lifetimes, all the realms and beyond ….. We are always together papa. Be it heaven or earth. We are one.” She went on to describe the depth of her longing: “I so painfully miss you papa … your warm protective hugs that felt like the coziest blanket, holding your soft yet strong hands which had unspoken messages & your voice calling out my name that followed with endless conversations, laughter & shayaris. Your motto ‘always be humble, be happy, healthy & strong’.”
Their nephew Abhay Deol also shared a touching post on Instagram, posting a rare throwback photograph from childhood. He recounted a memory when, upset as a child, Dharmendra had called him over and directed him to “look at the light” for a photograph. In his note, Abhay expressed that he longs to hear those words again — perhaps when his own time comes.
Dharmendra — father to Sunny Deol, Bobby Deol and Esha Deol (from his marriage with Hema Malini), and previously father to Ahana Deol and others from an earlier marriage — passed away on November 24. He was 89 at the time of his death. Although he had been admitted to Mumbai’s Breach Candy Hospital earlier in November when his health deteriorated, and briefly discharged under medical supervision, his condition failed to improve and he died at his residence. Today would have marked what would have been his 90th birthday.
The flood of tributes from his children and nephew reflect the deep love and respect the family continues to hold for him. Through heartfelt posts and memories, they honoured not just a celebrated actor — but a beloved father whose presence remains deeply missed.
