‘Dharmendra’s final days were cruel, hurtful’: Hema Malini reveals to filmmaker days after Dharam Paaji’s death
Hema Malini remembers Dharmendra's last days in a conversation with filmmaker Hamad Al Reyami
He further wrote: “She said to me in a mocking voice: ‘I wish I was at the farm the same day I was with Dharminder two months ago... Hope to have seen him there.’ And she told me how she always said to Dharminder: ‘Why don’t you publish your beautiful poems and writings?’ And he was answering it: ‘Not now... lemme finish some poems first.’ But time did not slow him down, and flew away… And she said to me bitterly: ‘Now the strangers will come... They'll write about it, they'll write books... While his words he has not seen light.’ 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 mother tone: ‘Dharminder 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 can barely bear to see it like that.’ Her words were like arrows... Hurtful and true. I ended my conversation with her like: ‘No matter what happens... My love for him will never change... And his impact will never fade away.’ And when I thought about leaving, I asked her — very shyly — to take a picture with her, because I never had a picture that brings me together with Hema Malini. And her reaction was exactly in line with Dharminder's always… A smile, kindness and an honest welcome. My forever hero legendary Superstar DHARMENDRA. My hero for life my love legend and star dharminder,” Hamad concluded.
Dharam Paaji may not be amongst us anymore, but he will continue to live on in our hearts forever.
