Veteran actress Mumtaz has offered an emotional tribute to her co-star Dharmendra, revealing that she was unable to meet him during his final days at Mumbai’s Breach Candy Hospital, even after waiting for 30 minutes outside the intensive care unit.
Dharmendra, the legendary “He-Man of Bollywood,” died on November 24, 2025, at the age of 89, leaving the film industry and fans across generations in deep mourning.
Mumtaz’s emotional hospital visit
In a recent interaction with ETimes, Mumtaz recalled how she went to Breach Candy Hospital hoping to see Dharmendra after hearing about his critical condition.
“I went to see him at the hospital, but the staff told me he was on the ventilator and no one was allowed to meet him… I sat there for 30 minutes, hoping I might still get to see him, but I couldn’t,” she shared, adding that she eventually left without being able to say goodbye.
She described him as “irreplaceable” and a “wonderful co-star,” underlining how much his warmth and humility meant to her personally.
How did Dharmendra die?
Dharmendra had been battling age-related health issues and serious respiratory problems in the weeks leading up to his death. He was admitted to Breach Candy Hospital on October 31 after he complained of breathlessness, and reports indicate he required ICU care and ventilator support as his lung condition worsened.
Although he was briefly discharged on November 12, his health remained fragile, and he passed away on November 24 at his Mumbai residence following complications linked to his respiratory illness.
Dharmendra and Mumtaz’s iconic films
Mumtaz and Dharmendra shared a popular on-screen pairing that fans still cherish, especially from their work in the late 1960s and early 1970s. They acted together in films like “Kaajal” (1965), “Mere Humdam Mere Dost” (1968), “Aadmi Aur Insaan” (1969), “Jheel Ke Us Paar” (1973) and “Loafer” (1973), combining his rugged charm with her lively screen presence.
Their romantic chemistry and effortless comfort in songs and emotional scenes made these titles enduring favourites for Hindi cinema lovers.
Read More: Sunita Ahuja Spills the Tea: Dharmendra Crush & Divorce Drama with Govinda
Dharmendra–Mumtaz friendship?
Dharmendra and Mumtaz shared a warm, old-school Bollywood friendship built on trust, respect and effortless chemistry on screen. She often called him a “wonderful co-star” with a golden heart, recalling how he was always warm, friendly and connected to everyone on set.
Their bond lasted well beyond their films; Mumtaz’s 2021 visit to his home and her emotional attempt to see him in hospital show how deeply she valued him, not just as a legend but as a dear friend.
Dharmendra’s journey in Bollywood
Born Dharmendra Kewal Krishan Deol on December 8, 1935, in Sahnewal, Punjab, he came from a farming family and grew up idolising screen legends like Dilip Kumar.
After winning a talent contest in the late 1950s, he moved to Bombay and slowly built a career, first as a romantic hero in the 1960s and later as an action icon in the 1970s.
Over more than six decades, he acted in over 300 films, with classics like “Phool Aur Patthar,” “Sholay,” “Chupke Chupke,” “Seeta Aur Geeta,” and “Yaadon Ki Baaraat” cementing his status as one of Hindi cinema’s most loved stars.
Dharmendra, Hema Malini and family
Mumtaz also shared her feelings for Dharmendra’s family, especially his wife and actor Hema Malini, calling her “truly in love with him” and devoted throughout their marriage.
Dharmendra leaves behind a large family: his first wife Prakash Kaur and their children Sunny Deol, Bobby Deol, Ajeta and Vijayta, as well as Hema Malini and their daughters Esha and Ahana Deol.
In the days following his death, the Deol residence and his last rites at Pawan Hans Crematorium saw a steady stream of industry colleagues and fans paying their respects to the veteran star.
Mumtaz’s last meeting with Dharmendra
Mumtaz revealed that her last proper meeting with Dharmendra was in 2021, when she visited him at his home and spent time reminiscing about their film days.
She described it as a “pleasant meeting” and now treasures it as her final memory of him off-screen. For her, as for many of his co-stars, Dharmendra was not just a legendary actor but a kind, affectionate human being whose loss feels deeply personal.
