'False news': Hema Malini, Esha Deol rubbish Dharmendra's death rumours

Esha strongly condemns the misinformation; Hema Malini says Dharmendra is responding to treatment and recovering

Bollywood actress Esha Deol, daughter of the veteran superstar Dharmendra, 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 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.

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.