Veteran actress Mumtaz has paid an emotional tribute to her frequent co-star Dharmendra, who passed away on November 24 at the age of 89, revealing that she made a final attempt to visit him at Breach Candy Hospital days before his death but was turned away as he lay on a ventilator. In an interview with ETimes on Wednesday, the 78-year-old star of classics like Jheel Ke Us Paar (1973) and Loafer (1973) described Dharmendra as “a legend who will always be remembered” and “irreplaceable,” praising his warmth and golden heart that endeared him to generations.

“I went to see him at the hospital, but the staff told me he was on a ventilator and no one was allowed,” Mumtaz recalled. “I sat there for 30 minutes hoping I might still get to see him, but I couldn’t. I left without meeting him.” Their last proper meeting had been in 2021 at his Juhu residence, a reunion she described as “such a pleasant meeting.” On Tuesday, she shared a series of nostalgic photographs with the late actor on social media, captioning them: “Dharam ji, you were and you are always with us! May you rest in peace.”

Mumtaz also extended her condolences to Dharmendra’s family, particularly his wife, Hema Malini. “I feel sorry for his family and for Hema ji. She was always devoted to him. She must be feeling this loss very deeply. She was truly in love with him,” she said. The two had shared the screen in numerous blockbusters, forming one of Hindi cinema’s most beloved on-screen pairs during the 1970s.

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Dharmendra was admitted to Breach Candy Hospital on October 31 after complaining of breathlessness and discharged on November 12, only to be readmitted later when his condition deteriorated. He passed away on November 24, leaving behind a legacy of over 300 films spanning six decades. His mortal remains were cremated at Pawan Hans Crematorium on Monday, and a prayer meeting is scheduled for Wednesday evening from 5 pm to 7:30 pm at Seaside Lawns, Taj Lands End, Bandra.

The outpouring of grief from co-stars like Mumtaz underscores Dharmendra’s enduring appeal as both a superstar and a deeply humane figure. “He was milansar—warm, friendly, and connected to everyone,” she said. “Even till the end, he had a good equation with people. They still love him, and they always will.”

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