The passing of Bollywood legend Dharmendra on November 24, 2025, left the film industry and fans mourning an irreplaceable icon. However, in the days following his death, attention also turned toward speculation about the late actor’s family dynamics — particularly the relationship between his two families.
Reports intensified after Hema Malini and her daughters, Esha and Ahana Deol, did not attend the prayer meet hosted by Dharmendra’s first wife, Prakash Kaur, and their children — Sunny Deol, Bobby Deol, Ajeita Deol, and Vijeta Deol. The absence led to widespread gossip about a possible rift between the families.
Now, Hema Malini has addressed the speculation directly. In a fresh interview with The Indian Express, the veteran actress dismissed rumours of discord and clarified her equation with Sunny and Bobby Deol.
“Sunny will tell me. Whatever he does, he tells me,” Hema shared, stressing that communication and mutual respect have always defined their relationship. She added, “It has always been very nice and cordial. Even today it is very nice. I don’t know why people think something is wrong with us. It is because people want gossip.”
Hema further questioned the need to justify her personal life to outsiders. “Why should I answer them? Is it necessary for me to give an explanation? It’s my life. My personal life, our personal life. We are absolutely happy and very close to each other. That’s it,” she said firmly. She also expressed disappointment over media speculation during a time of grief, adding that it was “sad that people use others’ grief to write a few articles.”
Speaking about Dharmendra’s final film, Ekkis, Hema revealed that she has not yet watched it. “I came to Mathura when it was released. I have to do my work here. Also, I can’t see it now; it will be too overwhelming. That’s what my daughters are also saying. Maybe I will watch it later when the wounds start healing,” she shared.
Following Dharmendra’s passing, separate prayer meets were held by both sides of the family. Sunny and Bobby Deol hosted a gathering in Mumbai attended by several Bollywood personalities including Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, Rekha, Madhuri Dixit, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Abhishek Bachchan, Malaika Arora, Jackie Shroff, and Suniel Shetty. Meanwhile, Hema Malini and her daughters organized a prayer meet in New Delhi, where the actress was seen getting emotional while remembering her husband.
Dharmendra married Prakash Kaur in 1954 at the age of 19, and they had four children — Sunny, Bobby, Vijeta, and Ajeita. With Hema Malini, whom he later married, he had two daughters — Esha and Ahana Deol.
As the family continues to navigate their loss, Hema Malini’s statement makes one thing clear: despite public speculation, the bond within the Deol family remains intact behind closed doors.
