Amitabh, Salman, Aamir lead Bollywood in emotional final goodbye
Bollywood bid a tearful farewell to veteran actor Dharmendra on Monday as top stars including Amitabh Bachchan, Salman Khan, Aamir Khan and Ranveer Singh attended his private funeral at Mumbai’s Pawan Hans crematorium. Family members Hema Malini and Esha Deol led the emotional last rites.
Veteran Bollywood icon Dharmendra, the “He-Man” of Indian cinema, was laid to rest on Monday in Mumbai in a private ceremony attended by some of the biggest names in the film industry. The 89-year-old actor passed away on 24 November 2025 at his Juhu residence, and his last rites were conducted at the Pawan Hans crematorium (Vile Parle/Juhu) later in the day.
While the funeral was kept largely intimate, with the family choosing a more private goodbye, a host of prominent Bollywood stars made their way to pay their respects to the legend.
Among those present were Amitabh Bachchan, Salman Khan, Aamir Khan, Ranveer Singh, Deepika Padukone, Akshay Kumar, and members of the Bachchan, Khan, and Deol families.
Inside the crematorium, scenes of quiet emotion were visible as family members and friends gathered. Daughter Esha Deol was seen breaking into tears, while legendary actress and his wife Hema Malini folded her hands in a gesture of farewell.
The family had opted for a swift and discreet ceremony, reportedly a decision made in light of recent confusion over the actor’s health.
Large crowds of fans and well-wishers gathered outside the crematorium and at his residence, though media access was limited. Celebrities such as Kajol, Shilpa Shetty, Sanjay Khan, and others were seen at his Juhu home earlier to offer condolences to the Deol family.
The magnitude of Dharmendra’s contribution to Hindi cinema was underscored in countless tributes. On social media and in press statements, colleagues described him as “a father figure,” “an enduring icon,” and “a man of tremendous warmth and humility.”
His legacy spans over six decades, hundreds of films, and a persona that blended action-hero charisma with surprising vulnerability.
Despite the fanfare, the family chose to keep the farewell understated, emphasising privacy and reflection. Actress Ameesha Patel, a close friend of the family, conveyed that “the family needs time to grieve, and we need to give them that.”
On the professional front, Dharmendra’s death marks the close of an era. Known for iconic films like Sholay (1975) and for defining the macho hero in Indian cinema, his passing leaves a void both on screen and in popular culture.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Draupadi Murmu offered their condolences, calling his contributions to Indian cinema “immense” and saying that his legacy will live on.
The decision to hold the ceremony privately was described by news outlets as a family’s wish to shield the moment from media glare, especially given the high tide of attention.
As lights dimmed on this final journey, Bollywood’s biggest stars stood in silence, paying homage to one of the industry’s most beloved figures. The crowds may disperse, the cameras may shutter, but the echo of Dharmendra’s laughter, the sweep of his stride across the screen, and his unassuming off-screen presence will continue to resonate.
The Deol family has asked for privacy in the days ahead as they mourn their patriarch. In full measure, the industry mourns too — not just a star, but a symbol of an era.
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