Reacting to the announcement, his wife and actor Hema Malini expressed pride and emotion, saying the family wished he had been alive to receive the honour in person. Sharing Dharmendra’s photograph on social media, she wrote that the government’s recognition of his work was a moment of deep satisfaction for the family.
Speaking to India Today, Hema Malini said the entire family is happy and overwhelmed. “We definitely wished he had received this honour earlier, when he would have been present with us to accept it. Still, we are happy. He was fully deserving of this award. He gave so much to the film industry,” she said.
She noted that since the announcement, there has been an outpouring of admiration from fans and colleagues across the country. “Everyone is speaking such good things about him. It fills my heart with pride,” she said, adding that the recognition reflects the love and respect Dharmendra earned over his career.
Hema Malini also recalled that Dharmendra never attached much importance to awards. Apart from a Lifetime Achievement Award, he did not receive a Filmfare Award during his lifetime. “This is not a complaint, just a fact,” she said, emphasising that public affection mattered more to him than trophies. She described him as not just a popular actor but a true artist who portrayed a wide range of characters and inspired generations of performers.
Dharmendra, often referred to as the “He-Man” of Hindi cinema, enjoyed a career spanning over six decades, delivering iconic performances in films such as Sholay, Phool Aur Patthar, Anupama, and Satyamev Jayate. His work left a lasting imprint on mainstream and parallel cinema alike.
Meanwhile, actor R. Madhavan has been named among the Padma Shri awardees this year. Responding to the announcement, Madhavan said the honour was the biggest of his life and that he accepted it with humility. In a social media post, he said he was accepting the award on behalf of his family, mentors, and well-wishers, calling it not just an honour but a responsibility to uphold its values.
The Padma Awards will be conferred later this year at a ceremonial function at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
