MUMBAI NNews Desk): Indian media once again jumped the gun on Monday, falsely reporting the death of Bollywood legend Dharmendra, sparking a wave of confusion and grief across the country. The 88-year-old actor’s family has now set the record straight, confirming he is alive, stable, and recovering.
Read also: Dharmendra, Bollywood’s legendary ‘He-Man,’ passes away at 89 after critical health battle
Dharmendra’s daughter Esha Deol dismissed the fake news, urging journalists and social media users to act responsibly. “My father is stable and recovering. We request everyone to give our family privacy. Thank you for your prayers for Papa’s speedy recovery,” she wrote.
The false reports had even misled senior figures like Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and lyricist Javed Akhtar, who posted condolence messages before deleting them. Akhtar described Dharmendra as “a perfect combination of masculinity and gentleness,” while Singh called him a “versatile actor” whose contribution to cinema would be remembered.
Dharmendra, who was hospitalised last month for a routine check-up, remains under observation. His wife, veteran actress and politician Hema Malini, expressed outrage over the media’s carelessness. “How can responsible channels spread such false news? This is unforgivable and deeply disrespectful. Please respect the family’s privacy,” she said.
Sunny Deol’s team also issued a late-night statement confirming that the actor was recovering and requested fans not to spread misinformation. “Mr Dharmendra is stable and under observation. Please avoid rumours and pray for his recovery,” the statement read.
The Deol family’s united response has called out India’s sensationalist media culture, reminding outlets to verify facts before breaking news. For now, fans can breathe easy — the beloved ‘He-Man’ of Bollywood is very much alive and on the road to recovery.
