‘Dharmendra’s Final Days Were Cruel’: Filmmaker Says Hema Malini Has One Deep Regret
Hamad Al Reyami shared that Hema Malini was heartbroken over Dharmendra’s death, saying his final days were cruel and she felt sorry fans couldn’t see him one last time.
Last Updated:December 01, 2025, 13:40 IST
Hamad Al Reyami shared that Hema Malini was heartbroken over Dharmendra’s death, saying his final days were cruel and she felt sorry fans couldn’t see him one last time.
One week ago, on November 24, Bollywood lost its most precious star as veteran actor Dharmendra passed away, leaving behind a legacy that will live on forever. Days before his 90th birthday, Dharmendra passed away at his Mumbai residence due to age-related illnesses. His death has left the entire industry grieving. Filmmaker Hamad Al Reyami, who visited Hema Malini after the actor’s demise, has penned a long note on his social media, attached with some old pictures.
On September 30th, Hamad Al Reyami met Dharmendra for the last time, and three days after his demise, Hamad visited Hema Malini and penned a long note. He shared, “On the third day of condolence, I visited legendary actress Hema Malini, wife of late superstar Dharmendra.
This was my first time meeting her face-to-face, although I’ve seen her from afar on many occasions before. But this time was different… A poignant, heavy-on-the-heart feeling, the kind that doesn’t get absorbed no matter how hard you try."
He further continued and shared how Hema was visibly heartbroken by the loss and continued, “She said to me in a mocking voice:‘I wish I was at the farm the same day I was with Dharmendra two months ago… would have hoped to see him there.’ And she told me how she always said to Dharmendra: ‘Why don’t you publish your beautiful poems and writings?’ And he would answer: ‘Not now… let me finish some poems first.’ But time did not slow down for him, and it flew away…"
Continuing, he revealed how Hema is quite sorry that the veteran actor’s fans couldn’t see him for one last time and wrote, “She then added with deep sadness that she was sorry his fans didn’t get a chance to see him one last time. And she said to me in a loving, motherly tone: ‘Dharmendra throughout his life never wanted to be seen weak or sick. He was hiding his pain even from the closest people. After the person leaves, the decision remains in the hands of the family.’ And then I paused for a while… I wiped her tears… and she said to me clearly: ‘But what happened was mercy… Because Hamad, you couldn’t bear to see him like that. His final days were cruel… hurtful… and even we could barely bear to see him like that.’ Her words were like arrows… hurtful and true."
About Dharmendra’s demise
Dharmendra passed away on November 24. The actor had been admitted to Breach Candy Hospital in South Mumbai due to health complications. Although he was discharged, reports claimed that he had been placed on a ventilator following breathing difficulties. Despite showing signs of improvement, the legendary actor passed away on November 24. His last rites were also held on the same day and were attended by several Bollywood celebrities, including Amitabh Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan, and Salman Khan.
