Key Highlights

  • The tribute: Hema Malini attended a tribute to her late husband Dharmendra at Whistling Woods International, Mumbai.
  • Students’ AV: An audiovisual tribute made by the film school’s students moved everyone present.
  • Ghai’s words: Subhash Ghai called Dharmendra “a HE man of Indian cinema” and “a man we all loved.”
  • The loss: Dharmendra died on November 24, 2025, at the age of 89.

Filmmaker Subhash Ghai has shared an emotional moment from Whistling Woods International, where veteran actress Hema Malini paid tribute to her late husband, Dharmendra.

“It was a great day for celebrate cinema at whistlingWoods international when Hema malini ji came personally to pay the tribute to mr Dharmendra - a HE man of Indian cinema. An unforgettable actor and a man we all loved. Yesterday we all got emotional with his AV made by students of whistling,” Ghai wrote on Instagram (sic).

He also shared a photograph of himself with Hema Malini beside a portrait of Dharmendra.

Why It Matters: A New Generation Remembers

What made this tribute special was who created it. The audiovisual piece was made by students of the film institute, young filmmakers who grew up decades after Dharmendra’s biggest hits. Their tribute shows how his work continues to inspire people learning the craft today, and why his legacy reaches far beyond his own generation.

“Just Keep Going”

Hema Malini has often spoken about how Dharmendra encouraged her. Speaking to IANS earlier, she recalled, “Dharam Ji always used to tell me, ‘Never think that just because you’re doing fewer films, it’s the end of the road. You’re doing your dance performances and so many other things—just keep going. It’s wonderful.’”

“He genuinely appreciated it and would always say, ‘Just keep doing all of this. Don’t stop,’” she said.

Remembering Dharmendra

Dharmendra died at the age of 89 on November 24, 2025, at his Mumbai residence after battling age-related health issues. Since then, Hema Malini has kept his memory alive through posts and appearances, including heartfelt messages about their daughters, Esha and Ahana.

The Bottom Line

At Whistling Woods, Dharmendra was remembered not just by those who worked with him, but by young filmmakers who learned from his films, a sign that the “He-Man” of Hindi cinema continues to inspire.

With inputs from IANS.