Felt Dharam ji holding my hand: Hema Malini's note for soulmate after Padma honour

Veteran actor and politician Hema Malini shared an emotional note after accepting the Padma Vibhushan on behalf of her late husband, legendary actor Dharmendra, at a ceremony in Delhi. She said it was a moment when she could almost feel his warm presence beside her as she received the honour.

Reflecting on the deeply personal moment, Hema said walking up to the dais felt as though Dharmendra himself was holding her hand and guiding her towards President Droupadi Murmu, who presented the award. Her note also looked back on their years together, both on screen and in life, and the many roles he played within their family and beyond.

An emotional moment at the ceremony

In her note on X, Hema described the ceremony as one filled with emotion and memory. “An euphoric moment! A moment when I actually felt my husband Dharam ji’s warm presence, holding my hand and guiding me to the dais where his Padma Vibhushan award awaited him,” she wrote.

She said the moment brought back decades of memories, from their time together as co-stars in several iconic films to their journey as life partners. Hema wrote that she grew emotional as she thought about Dharmendra’s place in her life and in the lives of those around him.

Memories of a husband, father and guide

Hema said the ceremony stirred thoughts of Dharmendra not only as a film star, but also as a family man and a deeply loved person. “Tears welled up as these thoughts were stirred within me,” she wrote, remembering him as a loving husband, caring father and grandfather, trusted guide and a deeply generous human being loved by millions.

She added that she accepted the Padma Vibhushan with humility on behalf of their family, as well as Dharmendra’s fans and well-wishers across generations. “I thank the Almighty for having given me a wonderful soul mate, memories of whom I will cherish till the end of my life,” she wrote.

A bond remembered by generations

For generations of Hindi cinema lovers, Hema Malini and Dharmendra have represented one of Bollywood’s most enduring love stories, shaped through their iconic films and strengthened by decades of companionship away from the screen. Her note after the ceremony reflected both that shared public legacy and the private grief of remembering a long life lived together.

Dharmendra, celebrated as the He-Man of Bollywood, died on November 24, 2025 at the age of 89. He was recognised for his contribution to Indian cinema spanning more than six decades, and Hema's note after receiving the Padma Vibhushan in Delhi brought together that public honour and her personal remembrance of the man she called her soul mate.