Hema Malini breaks down remembering Dharmendra at prayer meet, 'Woh mere liye ek bohot hi samarpeet jeevansaathi baney'

Veteran actress Hema Malini, along with her daughters Esha Deol and Ahana Deol, organised a special prayer meeting on December 11 to honour the memory of legendary actor Dharmendra. The event saw the presence of several political dignitaries, including Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Union Minister Kiren Rijiju.Standing on stage with Esha and Ahana by her side, Hema Malini delivered an emotional speech as she reflected on her late husband’s life, legacy and the bond they shared.She said, “Jis shakhs ke saath maine kai filmon mein pyaar ka abhinay kiya, wahi mere jeevansaathi ban gaye. Humara pyaar sachcha tha, toh hum kisi bhi paristhiti ka saamna karne ki himmat thi. Hum dono ne shaadi ki. Woh mere liye ek bohot hi samarpeet jeevansaathi baney. Woh mere liye prernadayak ek mazboot stambh bankar har shan, har kadam pe mere saath khadey rahe (The person with whom I enacted love scenes in many films became my life partner. Our love was true, and that gave us the strength to face every situation. We got married, and he became a deeply devoted husband to me. He was an inspiring and strong pillar in my life, standing by me at every moment and every step.).”The actor-politician further shared how Dharmendra supported her throughout their life together.She added, “Mere har nirnay mein unki sammati rahi. Meri dono betiyan, Esha aur Ahana, inke liye ek vaatsalya ke bhare ek pita bane. Bohot pyaar diya, aur unko sahi samay par unki shaadi bhi karayi. Hamare paanch grandchildren, unke liye bohot pyaare nanu banker... bohot pyaar karte the... Dharam ji unhe dekhkar itne khush ho jaate the. Humse kehte ki ye hamari ek sundar phoolwadi he jise pyaar aur sahaj kar rakhna (He supported every decision I made. My two daughters, Esha and Ahana, found in him a deeply loving father. He showered them with affection and got them married at the right time. For our five grandchildren, he was a very loving grandfather… he adored them. Dharam ji would be so happy whenever he saw them. He would tell us that this is our beautiful garden of flowers, and we must nurture it with love and care.).” Dharmendra, one of Indian cinema’s most beloved stars, married Prakash Kaur in 1954. They had four children—Sunny Deol, Bobby Deol, Ajeeta Deol and Vijeta Deol. He married Hema Malini in 1980, and the couple share two daughters, Esha and Ahana. The screen icon passed away on November 24 at the age of 89, just days before what would have been his 90th birthday on December 8.