The 89-year-old legend, affectionately known as the "He-Man of Bollywood," was admitted to Mumbai's Breach Candy Hospital on November 10, 2025, due to breathing difficulties. What started as a routine check-up quickly escalated into panic when unverified sources claimed he was on a ventilator in critical condition. But hold on—his family has firmly shut down these Dharmendra death rumors, assuring everyone that he's stable and recovering.
Daughter Esha Deol took to Instagram on Tuesday morning to set the record straight, posting a heartfelt message amid the chaos. "The media seems to be in overdrive and spreading false news. My father is stable and recovering. We request everyone to give our family privacy. Thank you for the prayers for papa's speedy recovery," she wrote. Her words came just hours after the alarming reports surfaced, with sources close to the Deol family revealing that the first 72 hours post-admission were indeed tense, but things are now looking up. Esha's clarification has been echoed by her mother, Hema Malini, who didn't hold back in slamming the media. "What is happening is unforgivable!" the actress-turned-politician fumed, calling out the "irresponsible" coverage that's caused unnecessary distress. Hema urged fans to focus on prayers instead, sharing on X: "We're hoping for his speedy recovery—let's all pray."
The frenzy even caught high-profile figures off guard. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh expressed condolences on X following the Dharmendra death news, only to delete the post once the truth emerged. Meanwhile, the Deol family rallied around their patriarch. Sons Sunny Deol and Bobby Deol rushed to the hospital—Sunny looking visibly emotional outside the gates, while Bobby halted the shoot of his upcoming film Alpha to be by his father's side. Sunny's sons, Karan and Rajveer, also arrived promptly, highlighting the close-knit bond. Bollywood's A-listers didn't lag behind: Shah Rukh Khan showed up with son Aryan, Salman Khan flew in from an early schedule, and stars like Govinda and Ameesha Patel (who appeared teary-eyed leaving the hospital) paid visits late Monday night. Even comedian Bharti Singh was spotted offering prayers, saying, "God and our duas are with him—nothing will happen."
This isn't Dharmendra's first brush with health scares. Just weeks ago, on October 31, 2025, he was admitted to the same hospital for breathing issues and ICU monitoring but was discharged soon after tests showed normal parameters. Earlier this year, the icon underwent a cornea transplant for his left eye. Between 2015 and 2020, he's battled recurrent back pain and fatigue, yet he's maintained an enviable fitness regime. Born on December 8, 1935, in Punjab's Sahnewal village, Dharmendra turns 90 next month. He's the epitome of resilience—still posting gym and physiotherapy videos on Instagram, proving age is just a number. Legends like Dev Anand once quipped, "Why didn't God give me such a face?" while Dilip Kumar, his idol, wished for Dharmendra's vitality in his next life. Inspired by Dilip Kumar's Shaheed, young Dharmendra dreamed big, pedaling through Mumbai's streets on a bicycle, surviving on chickpeas and park benches before his big break in 1960's Dil Bhi Tera Hum Bhi Tere for a mere 51 rupees.
Dharmendra's struggle to stardom is the stuff of Bollywood lore. Winning Filmfare's talent hunt propelled him from rural Punjab to the silver screen, where he became the handsome heartthrob in over 300 films. Directors like K.C. Bokadia recall his down-to-earth charm—a village boy at heart who thrives at his Lonavala farmhouse. Despite the competition with icons like Dev Anand (whose real name is Dharam Dev!), Dharmendra's warmth shone through, even sharing lunches during shoots.
On a brighter note, fans can catch him in Sriram Raghavan's Ikkis, a war drama releasing December 2025, where he plays the father of Arun Khetarpal (portrayed by Agastya Nanda). The trailer, already out, showcases his timeless charisma. As Dharmendra health updates pour in positive, the industry and admirers worldwide are sending love. Sunny Deol's team added, "Sir is recovering and responding to treatment—let's pray for his long life." In these testing times, one thing's clear: the Deol patriarch's spirit is unbreakable. Stay tuned for more on Dharmendra recovery—Bollywood's eternal hero deserves nothing less than a standing ovation.
