Watch: Salman Khan In Tears As He Remembers Dharmendra On ‘Bigg Boss 19’ Finale
Salman Khan couldn't hold back his tears as he remembered Dharmendra during the finale of ‘Bigg Boss 19’.
If fate had been kinder, the Deol family would be celebrating a massive milestone today – veteran superstar Dharmendra’s 90th birthday. The actor had been discharged from the hospital just weeks prior, and his family was eagerly looking forward to the big day. However, destiny had other plans. On November 24, the beloved actor passed away at the age of 89, leaving the nation heartbroken. Now, as the industry remembers the icon on his birth anniversary, Bollywood star Salman Khan has paid a tearful tribute to the man he considered his idol.
During the grand finale of ‘Bigg Boss 19’ on Sunday, Salman Khan, who shared a deep and affectionate bond with Dharmendra, broke down on national television. The host played a montage of Dharmendra’s memorable appearances on the reality show over the years. By the time the clip ended, Salman was visibly fighting back tears.
Check out the video here:
Only #SalmanKhan could have given such a heartfelt tribute to his favourite #Dharmendra ji 🙏
— Navneet Mundhra (@navneet_mundhra) December 7, 2025
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“We lost the He-Man. We lost the most amazing man. I don't think there is anyone better than Dharmji,” Salman said, his voice trembling. He reflected on Dharmendra's unique persona, adding, “He came with an innocent face and a He-Man’s body. That charm stayed with him till the end. My career graph… I have only followed Dharmji. He only wanted to work. Love you, Dharmji. Will always miss you.”
In a moment of vulnerability, Salman Khan highlighted the painful coincidence surrounding the dates of Dharmendra’s passing and his birth.
“The main thing is… he died on 24 November, that’s my father’s birthday,” Salman revealed, choking up. “And tomorrow [December 8] is his birthday, as well as my mum’s. If I’m feeling like this, imagine what Sunny and his family must be going through,” he added.
Salman Khan also took a moment to appreciate how Dharmendra’s sons, Sunny Deol and Bobby Deol, handled the difficult situation. He praised the dignity with which the final rites were conducted.
“There were two funerals conducted with utmost dignity: Sooraj Barjatya’s mother’s and Dharmji’s. They held his prayer meet with so much grace and honour. Everyone was crying, but there was a decorum — a celebration of life. Hats off to Bobby and Sunny. Every funeral and prayer meeting should be conducted this beautifully,” Salman said.
Dharmendra’s health had been a cause for concern throughout November. He was admitted to the hospital earlier in the month, and by November 10, false rumours of his death had begun circulating. At the time, his wife Hema Malini and daughter Esha Deol had dismissed the speculation, confirming he was recovering. He was eventually brought home, but passed away shortly after on November 24.
He was quietly cremated at Pawan Hans in Mumbai. According to Hema Malini, the actor always wished to maintain his dignity and never wanted to be seen as weak, which is why the funeral was kept private.
Despite the intimate nature of the ceremony, the entire industry turned up to pay their respects. From his ‘Sholay’ co-star Amitabh Bachchan and his son Abhishek to Shah Rukh Khan, Hrithik Roshan, and Salman, Bollywood’s biggest names bid farewell to the legend.
Dharmendra is survived by his two wives, Prakash Kaur and Hema Malini, and his six children. While the ‘He-Man’ may be gone, his legacy of living life “king-size” remains etched in the hearts of his fans forever.
