Esha Deol Overjoyed at Father Dharmendra’s Posthumous Padma Vibhushan
Daughter expresses pride on Republic Day as legendary actor honoured.
Esha Deol shared her delight after the government announced the Padma Vibhushan award for her late father, veteran actor Dharmendra. The iconic star, who passed away on November 24, 2025, received the prestigious honour posthumously on the eve of Republic Day 2026 for his extraordinary contributions to Indian cinema.
Taking to Instagram, Esha posted a heartfelt message saying, “Happy Republic Day. Really happy that our papa is being conferred with the prestigious Padma Vibhushan Award.” She accompanied the note with family photographs from a recent screening of her brother Sunny Deol’s film Border 2, marking their first public appearance together since Dharmendra’s demise. The images showed Esha, Sunny, and sister Ahana posing happily, with Sunny placing his hands supportively on his sisters’ shoulders.
In the same post, Esha praised Sunny’s performance in Border 2, urging fans to watch the movie with family and friends. “Definitely watch ‘Border 2’ with your family and friends. We watched the film last night @iamsunnydeol you are the best. Shout out to @ahan.shetty @varundvn @diljitdosanjh @nidhiduttaofficial fantastic. Salute,” she wrote, highlighting the strong family bond amid the celebratory mood.
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Dharmendra’s wife and veteran actor Hema Malini also reacted with immense pride, stating, “So so proud that the govt has recognised Dharam ji’s immense contribution to the film industry by bestowing on him the prestigious Padma Vibhushan award.” The Padma Vibhushan, one of India’s highest civilian honours, recognises lifetime achievements in various fields, and Dharmendra’s selection celebrates his enduring legacy spanning decades in Hindi films.
Known as He-Man of Bollywood, Dharmendra captivated audiences with unforgettable roles in classics like Sholay, Chupke Chupke, Yamla Pagla Deewana series, and many more. His charismatic screen presence, versatility, and dedication left an indelible mark on Indian cinema, inspiring generations of actors and fans alike.
The announcement forms part of the 2026 Republic Day Padma awards list released by the Ministry of Home Affairs, honouring excellence across arts, public service, literature, and beyond.
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