New Delhi:Rashtrapati Bhavan witnessed an emotional moment during the Padma Awards 2026 ceremony when veteran actor Hema Malini accepted the posthumous Padma Vibhushan given to late superstar Dharmendra Deol. Their daughter Ahana Deol was seen in tears during the ceremony.
Dharmendra, who died in November 2025 at the age of 89, was posthumously awarded India’s second-highest civilian award for his immense contribution to Indian cinema for over six decades.
An emotional moment for the Deols.
Hema Malini was dressed elegantly for the ceremony held at Rashtrapati Bhavan and received the honour on behalf of her late husband in the presence of President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other dignitaries. Cameras were on Ahana Deol as she got emotional in the audience as the award was being given.
Earlier this year, Hema Malini called the honour a proud moment
In January 2026, Hema Malini had taken to Instagram to share an emotional note after the government announced the Padma Vibhushan honour for Dharmendra. She wrote, “So so proud that the govt has acknowledged Dharam ji’s immense contribution to the film industry by bestowing on him the prestigious Padma Vibhushan award. The post resonated with fans instantly and many termed the acknowledgment a fitting tribute to one of Hindi cinema’s most iconic stars.
Dharmendra’s legacy still reverberates
Often referred to as Bollywood’s original “He-Man”, Dharmendra continues to be one of the most iconic stars of Indian cinema. His career spanned generations of Hindi cinema audiences from action dramas to romances and emotional family films. Over the decades, he was a star of classics like Sholay, Chupke Chupke, Yaadon Ki Baaraat, Seeta Aur Geeta and Phool Aur Patthar with his charisma, emotional depth and unmatched screen presence.
Dharmendra passed away in November 2025, ending an incredible chapter in Indian cinema. He had been dealing with health problems related to age in his last years and is seen as one of Bollywood’s most adored superstars. His death was followed by an outpouring of grief across the film industry and among fans across the globe with actors, politicians and filmmakers remembering him not just for his iconic screen presence but also for his warmth, humility and timeless contribution to Hindi cinema. Dharmendra’s legacy remains woven deep into the history of Indian films, from action-packed roles to emotional classics.
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