Mumbai, November 27, 2025 – Bobby Deol was among the first to arrive at the prayer meet held for his father, veteran actor Dharmendra, who passed away on Monday, November 24, 2025, at the age of 89. The prayer meet, named ‘Celebration of Life’ by the Deol family, took place today at Taj Lands End in Bandra, Mumbai, from 5:00 pm to 7:30 pm. The event served as a final opportunity for the film fraternity, fans, and family to pay their respects to the legendary actor.

Dharmendra's death, just weeks before his 90th birthday on December 8, marked the end of an era in Indian cinema. He had been admitted to Mumbai's Breach Candy Hospital in late October due to breathlessness and was discharged on November 12.

The prayer meet was attended by several Bollywood personalities, close friends, and family members, including Hema Malini, Esha Deol, Ahana Deol, Sunny Deol, Abhay Deol, and others. The Deol family also invited singer Sonu Nigam to perform some of Dharmendra's most iconic songs as a tribute to his life and work. Nigam's performance aimed to capture the on-screen charm and timeless romance that Dharmendra was known for, bringing smiles and celebrating love through music.

Dharmendra, born on December 8, 1935, in Nasrali, Punjab, had a career spanning 65 years and over 300 films. He made his debut in 1960 with "Dil Bhi Tera Hum Bhi Tere" and went on to become one of the most beloved and successful stars in Indian cinema. Known as the "He-Man" of Bollywood, Dharmendra was celebrated for his versatility and enduring appeal.

His filmography includes memorable roles in movies like "Satyakam" and "Sholay". Dharmendra also ventured into politics, serving as a member of the 15th Lok Sabha, representing the Bikaner constituency in Rajasthan from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). In 2012, he was honoured with the Padma Bhushan for his contributions to Indian cinema.

The news of Dharmendra's death prompted an outpouring of tributes from colleagues, fans, and political leaders. Prime Minister Narendra Modi called his death the "end of an era," while veteran actress Saira Banu described him as "ghar ka aadmi".

Dharmendra is survived by his wives, Prakash Kaur and Hema Malini, and his six children: Sunny, Bobby, Esha, Ahana, Ajeeta and Vijeta. His final on-screen performance will be seen posthumously in Sriram Raghavan's upcoming film "Ikkis," scheduled for release on December 25.

The ‘Celebration of Life’ prayer meet provided a poignant moment for the industry and fans to remember and honour the life and legacy of the iconic actor. The Deol family shared a poster with a young photo of Dharmendra, marking his birth and death years. The event was a testament to the profound impact Dharmendra had on Indian cinema and the hearts of millions.