Legendary Bollywood actor Dharmendra passed away on November 24, prompting fans and media to revisit not only his remarkable cinematic career but also the unique personal life he led while managing two separate families for decades. As tributes continue to pour in on social and mainstream media, discussions about his private life, often considered unconventional have resurfaced.

Dharmendra, the beloved star of blockbuster classics such as Sholay and Dharam Veer, married Prakash Kaur in 1954. The couple had four children together: Sunny Deol, Bobby Deol, Vijeta, and Ajeita. Despite his rising fame and increasing commitments, Dharmendra maintained strong ties with his first family throughout his life.

In 1980, the actor married Hema Malini, with whom he had two daughters, Esha Deol and Ahana Deol. Notably, Dharmendra never divorced Prakash Kaur, choosing instead to uphold both households separately. Each family maintained a dignified distance from the other, with Hema Malini and her daughters never visiting Dharmendra’s original family home where his first wife and children resided.

This long-held separation was finally broken in 2015 due to an emotional and unavoidable situation. Dharmendra’s elder brother, Ajit Deol, father of actor Abhay Deol became severely ill and was being cared for at the old family residence. Since Esha and Ahana shared a close bond with their uncle, they wished to visit him.

In her book Hema Malini: Beyond the Dream Girl, Esha Deol recounts how she contacted Sunny Deol, who arranged the visit. This emotional meeting also led to Esha’s first interaction with her stepmother Prakash Kaur after nearly 30 years. Esha wrote that she touched Prakash Kaur’s feet, receiving her blessings before leaving, an interaction described as deeply symbolic of the silent mutual respect that had existed between the families despite decades of distance.

Following Dharmendra’s death, the Deol family held a prayer ceremony on Thursday. Reports indicate that Hema Malini, Esha, and Ahana did not attend this gathering and instead organized a separate prayer service at their Mumbai residence.

Dharmendra’s passing has reignited conversations about his extraordinary life, one marked by legendary screen performances, complex personal relationships, and an enduring bond between two families maintained with grace and quiet respect.

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