Mumbai, JAN 13 : Bollywood may have bid farewell to the legendary Dharmendra, fondly known as the “He-Man” of Hindi cinema, but for Hema Malini, some doors remain too heavy to open. Despite the release of his final film ‘Ikkis’, Hema says she is not yet ready to watch her late husband on screen.
In a heartfelt interview with Screen, Hema spoke about her emotions with honesty and quiet strength.
“It will be too overwhelming right now,” she admitted. Hema shared that she was in Mathura during the film’s release and, though busy with work, it was her heart that stopped her. Even her daughters, she said, feel the same. The family believes that only time can help them gradually process the loss and perhaps allow them to watch the film later.
About ‘Ikkis’
Directed by Sriram Raghavan and produced by Dinesh Vijan under Maddock Films, Ikkis is a tribute to Second Lieutenant Arun Khetpal, the youngest soldier to receive the Param Vir Chakra. The film stars Agastya Nanda as Arun Khetpal, alongside Simar Bhatia and Jaideep Ahlawat. Dharmendra appears in a pivotal role, marking his final on-screen performance.
Addressing family feud rumours
Following Dharmendra’s passing on November 24, 2025, gossip circulated about a family rift, after two separate prayer meetings were held—one by sons Sunny and Bobby Deol, and another by Hema and their daughters Esha and Ahana. Hema dismissed these rumours, saying the family has always remained close and cordial.
“People use other’s grief to write a few articles. It’s sad,” she remarked, emphasising that personal grief need not be explained to outsiders.
Remembering Dharmendra
Dharmendra, who passed away at 89, had recently been discharged from Breach Candy Hospital after a health scare. His last rites were performed in Mumbai on November 25, followed by prayer meetings attended by family and film personalities.
For Hema Malini and her daughters, the memories of Dharmendra remain fresh, and the time to revisit his final performance in ‘Ikkis’ has not yet arrived.