Esha Deol pens emotional note as Hema Malini and Ahana accept late Dharmendra’s Padma Vibhushan: 'Shed tears, forever our Papa'

Hindi cinema lost one of its brightest stars when Dharmendra passed away last November, but the legendary actor received a fitting posthumous tribute on May 25, 2026, as veteran actress and BJP MP Hema Malini accepted the prestigious Padma Vibhushan award on his behalf. The deeply emotional ceremony moved the entire Deol family, with daughter Esha Deol pouring her heart out in a touching social media tribute that resonated with fans across the country.

Esha Deol's heartfelt tribute to Dharmendra

Sharing glimpses from the ceremony on social media, Esha Deol wrote, "A moment of pride. A moment of emotion. How we so deeply wished he was present today dressed in a crisp white shirt and blue suit looking as handsome as always with excitement of a young boy going to receive the prestigious award. Yesterday as my mother represented our family and received the award. And the youngest of us, Ahana, represented all the 6 of us his children & shed tears & clapped in honour of our father. A man who we love, who we cherish, who we miss; who we proudly call our papa. Forever in our hearts."

Hema Malini receives the award from President Draupadi Murmu

At the formal ceremony, Hema Malini received the honour from President Dr Draupadi Murmu, representing her late husband before the nation. Dressed in a soft pink saree complemented by elegant diamond jewellery, the actress appeared visibly emotional as she held the award close to her heart.

Dharmendra's youngest child Ahana Deol was also present at the ceremony, representing all six of the actor's children. According to Esha, Ahana broke down while applauding their father's extraordinary legacy and contribution to Indian cinema.

Remembering Dharmendra

Widely celebrated as one of Bollywood's most beloved superstars, Dharmendra delivered iconic performances across a career spanning over six decades. Films like 'Sholay', 'Chupke Chupke', 'Satyakam', and 'Phool Aur Patthar' cemented his status as a true giant of Indian cinema. His passing last November due to prolonged age-related health complications left the industry and millions of devoted fans heartbroken. His last film was 'Ikkis', which was released on January 1, 2026.