Dharmendra Receives Padma Vibhushan; Hema Malini Gets Emotional While Accepting The Award

New Delhi: Legendary Bollywood actor Dharmendra was posthumously honored with the Padma Vibhushan award on Monday. Talking to the media, veteran actress Hema Malini spoke candidly about receiving the award on Dharmendra's behalf. She described this moment as both an honor and, emotionally, a very challenging experience.

The Padma Awards were presented by the President of India, Droupadi Murmu. Hema Malini accepted the posthumous honor bestowed upon Dharmendra. With tears in her eyes, Hema Malini described the award as a long-awaited recognition of Dharmendra's extraordinary contributions to Indian cinema and the nation. While accepting the honor today, Hema Malini appeared visibly emotional, and her daughter, Ahana Deol—who had accompanied her to Delhi—was also moved to tears.

What did Hema Malini say?

"Dharmji has been conferred with the country's second-highest civilian award. He truly deserves it. Perhaps it should have come much earlier, but no matter," she told the media. Describing it as a matter of immense pride, the actress stated that she considers it her privilege to accept this honor on his behalf. "Dharmji is not merely a great actor; he is a living institution of Indian cinema," she remarked, recalling his six-decade-long journey in films. According to Hema Malini, Dharmendra's popularity stems not only from his memorable acting but also from the values ​​he embodies.

"For over six decades, he has carved a place in the hearts of the entire nation through his timeless acting, his simplicity, his dignity, and his cultural values," she said. She further added that, beyond the realm of cinema, Dharmendra stands as a symbol of the country's emotional and cultural fabric.

"Beyond his films, he represents the very soul of India—its spirit, its traditions, and its humanity," she stated. The conversation took an even more personal turn when Hema Malini reminisced about the time they had spent together. "I have been fortunate enough to have been his co-star in numerous popular and memorable films, and later, his life partner," she told us. Remembering him as a devoted husband, an affectionate father, and a loving grandfather, Hema Malini remarked that Dharmendra has always remained a source of love and wisdom for the family. "He has been a loving, wonderful, and caring husband—a deeply affectionate father to my daughters and a beloved grandfather to my grandchildren. He is a well-wishing friend, a true philosopher, and a trustworthy guide," she says. However, what moved her most deeply was speaking about his absence.

What about Dharmendra's memories? 

With her voice choked with emotion, Hema Malini admitted that coming to terms with life without him still feels almost impossible today. "For as long as we were together, his presence in the home was always so cherished; and suddenly, he is no longer there. It is difficult to even conceive that we are living without him," she said, describing in these words her experience of navigating life without him over the past six months.

Even as she prepared to visit the Rashtrapati Bhavan to receive this honor, Hema Malini noted that the moment would be "bittersweet." "It will be a very difficult moment for me, yet at the same time, it will be incredibly thrilling for him, given the immense dedication and hard work he has poured into his craft over the past six decades," she stated. For Hema Malini, receiving the Padma Vibhushan is not merely a ceremonial occasion; rather, it represents a deeply profound and personal honor.