Esha Deol Shares Heartfelt Tribute to 'Darling Papa' Dharmendra on His 90th Birth Anniversary
On what would have been his 90th birthday, Esha Deol remembered her father, the legendary Dharmendra, with a touching tribute. Dharmendra passed away on November 24, 2025, just weeks before his 90th birthday. Esha's emotional note, shared on Instagram, fondly recalls the bond they shared and the profound impact he had on her life.
Esha posted two photographs of herself with her late father, accompanying them with a deeply personal message. "To my darling Papa," she wrote, "Our pact, the strongest bond. 'Us' through all our lifetimes, all the realms and beyond… We are always together Papa. Be it heaven or earth. We are one. For now, I have very tenderly, carefully & preciously tucked you in my heart… deep, deep inside to carry on with me for the rest of this lifetime".
She continued by expressing how deeply she misses him: "I so painfully miss you Papa… Your warm, protective hugs that felt like the cosiest blanket, holding your soft yet strong hands which had unspoken messages & your voice calling out my name that followed with endless conversations, laughter & shayaris". Esha also vowed to honor his legacy, stating, "Your motto 'always be humble, be happy, healthy & strong'. I promise to continue your legacy with pride & respect. And I will try my best to spread your love to the millions who love you as I do. I love you Papa, your darling daughter, your Esha, your Bittu," she signed off.
Dharmendra's death sent shockwaves through the film industry. Many celebrities have expressed their grief and shared memories of the actor. Salman Khan, who was very close to Dharmendra, became emotional on the finale of "Bigg Boss 19," recalling Dharmendra's influence on his own career. Jackie Shroff, who worked with Dharmendra in several films, also paid tribute to the icon, saying he will always be in their hearts.
Born on December 8, 1935, Dharmendra made his debut in 1960 and went on to become one of the most successful and beloved actors in Indian cinema. With a career spanning 65 years and over 300 films, he holds the record for starring in the highest number of hit films in Hindi cinema. His notable works include "Phool Aur Patthar" and "Sholay".
Dharmendra's 90th birth anniversary is being commemorated by his family at his farmhouse. His fans have also been invited to join in the celebration of his life. Dharmendra's last on-screen appearance will be in Sriram Raghavan's 'Ikkis', set to release this month.
