Hema Malini and Sunny Deol quash Dharmendra's death rumours, say actor is 'responding to treatment'

Bollywood veteran Dharmendra is “stable and recovering”, the actor's family said on Tuesday, urging the media to stop circulating false news about his health. A representative of Dharmendra's son, actor Sunny Deol, said the veteran star is "responding to treatment".

The 89-year-old star continues to remain under observation at a Mumbai hospital.

Bollywood actress Esha Deol, the actor's daughter, has emphatically refuted circulating social media rumours concerning her father's passing.

Taking to social media on Tuesday, the Dhoom actress strongly condemned the misinformation, assuring the public that her father is stable and recovering and that reports of his demise are entirely false.

She said, “The media seems to be in overdrive and spreading false news. My father is stable and recovering. We request that everyone give our family privacy. Thank you for the prayers for Papas speedy recovery. Esha Deol. (sic)

Her mother and veteran actor Hema Malini also rubbished the rumours and said her husband Dharmendra was responding to treatment and recovering. She also sought "due respect to the family and its need for privacy".

"What is happening is unforgivable! How can responsible channels spread false news about a person who is responding to treatment and is recovering? This is being extremely disrespectful and irresponsible. Please give due respect to the family and its need for privacy," she said in a post on X.

The posts came amid media reports that the 89-year-old actor had breathed his last earlier today at Mumbai's Breach Candy Hospital. Meanwhile, media and politicians took to social media and paid their condolences to the Deol family.

A representative of Dharmendra's son, actor Sunny Deol, said the veteran star is "responding to treatment".

"Sir is recovering and responding to treatment, let’s all pray for his good health and long life," the representative told PTI.

The statements by Esha Deol and Malini came after several prominent figures, including Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and lyricist Javed Akhtar, posted tributes on X. They later deleted their posts.

Dharmendra has been in and out of south Mumbai’s Breach Candy Hospital for several days.

Malini had, earlier on Monday night, urged people to remain calm and pray for Dharmendra's recovery.

As of the 9:01 am update, sources told DH that Dharmendra is on a ventilator.

The veteran actor was admitted to the hospital for routine check-ups last week, and his health deteriorated. He then underwent treatment for the same. His health turned fluid in the last couple of days, and the doctor put him on a ventilator last afternoon.

Last evening, he was visited by his wife Hema Malini, son Sunny Deol and other family members. Bollywood superstars Salman Khan and Shah Rukh Khan also visited the legendary actor to check in on him.

(With PTI inputs)