Sonu Nigam and Prithvi Gandharv lead a heartfelt musical homage as industry icons gather to remember the legendary actor

Mumbai: The Indian film fraternity turned out in large numbers on Thursday to pay their final respects to veteran star Dharmendra Deol, who passed away on November 24 at the age of 89 after a prolonged illness. A special prayer meet was organised on the open lawns of Taj Lands End in Bandra, drawing senior actors, filmmakers, musicians and friends of the celebrated actor.

A Musical Farewell

The evening’s most poignant moments came from a three-and-a-half-hour musical tribute performed by singers Sonu Nigam and Prithvi Gandharv, which left the Deol family and attendees visibly emotional.

Gandharv, speaking to TOI, shared the emotional weight of the evening:
“It was a soulful evening worthy of Dharamji’s stature. It felt like a blessing for me. I sang ‘Ek Omkar’ (Gurbani), Sant Kabir’s ‘Naiharwa’, Sufi renditions, a mashup of ‘Meri Saanson Mein’—Bobby Deol’s song—and Nirgun bhajans. Sonu sang Dharamji’s iconic numbers ‘Pal Pal Dil Ke Paas’, ‘Aapke Haseen Rukh Pe’, and ‘Hui Shaam Unka Khayal Aa Gaya’. Sonuji’s father, Agam Kumar Nigam ji, also joined for one song.”

Two separate stages were set up—one for performers and another for the Deol family, who received condolences for nearly four hours. “The family stood throughout with remarkable grace,” Gandharv added.

Industry Icons in Attendance

The prayer meet saw a large turnout of Bollywood’s most respected names. Among those present were:

• Shah Rukh Khan

• Salman Khan

• Rekha

• Shabana Azmi

• Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Abhishek Bachchan

• Madhuri Dixit

• Karan Johar

• Kulbhushan Kharbanda

• Boney Kapoor

• Divya Dutta

• Fardeen Khan

• Chunky Panday

• Ameesha Patel

• Designer Manish Malhotra

The gathering reflected the immense admiration the film industry held for Dharmendra, whose decades-long career made him one of Hindi cinema’s most beloved icons.

Hema Malini Shares Heartfelt Tribute Online

Although Dharmendra’s wife Hema Malini reportedly could not attend the prayer meet in person, she took to X (formerly Twitter) to share a series of unseen family photographs alongside an emotional tribute.

In her message, she wrote:
“Dharam ji… He was many things to me—loving husband, adoring father to our daughters Esha and Ahaana, friend, philosopher, guide, poet, my ‘go to’ person in all times of need. He was everything to me.”

Reflecting on his persona, she added:
“Despite his fame, his humility and universal appeal set him apart as a unique icon unmatched among legends. His achievements will live forever.”

Expressing her personal grief, she wrote:
“My loss is indescribable… After years of togetherness, I am left with countless memories to relive the special moments. The vacuum he leaves behind will last through the rest of my life.”

A Legacy That Lives On

Dharmendra, fondly remembered as the “He-Man” of Bollywood, leaves behind a towering legacy spanning six decades, with iconic roles in Sholay, Satyakam, Phool Aur Patthar, and numerous other classics. His contributions continue to resonate with audiences across generations.

The prayer meeting served not just as a farewell, but as a celebration of an extraordinary life—one marked by warmth, humility, and an enduring connection with fans and colleagues alike.