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'Felt his warm presence': Hema Malini gets emotional receiving Padma Vibhushan for Dharmendra
Sharing her feelings after the prestigious event, she described it as a 'euphoric moment'
- PUBLISHED: Tue 26 May 2026, 12:15 PM
- By:
- ANI
In an emotional and heartfelt note, actor-BJP MP Hema Malini opened up about the overwhelming moment of receiving the Padma Vibhushan on behalf of her late husband, and cinema icon Dharmendra.
President Droupadi Murmu presented the prestigious award to Hema Malini on Monday at the Civil Investiture Ceremony at the Rashtrapati Bhavan. During the ceremony, Ahana Deol got emotional when her father Dharmendra's name was announced. She was seated with her husband, Vaibhav Vohra, by her side.
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Sharing her feelings after the prestigious event, she described it as a "euphoric moment" and said "Dharam ji's warm presence" could be felt beside her as she walked up to receive the honour.
"An euphoric moment! A moment when I actually felt my husband Dharam ji's warm presence, holding my hand and guiding me to the dais where his Padma Vibhushan award awaited him," she wrote.
Recalling the ceremony held at Rashtrapati Bhavan, she said she was filled with immense pride as President Droupadi Murmu personally handed over the award.
"Yesterday at the serene Padma award function, as Her Excellency the President personally handed out the prestigious awards to the deserving achievers, I sat representing Dharam ji and felt an immense pride rise within me," she shared.
The veteran actor also reflected on the many memories she shared with Dharam ji, both as his co-star and later as his life partner.
"Memories of the years spent with him, first as a co-star in so many hit movies and later as his life partner. Tears welled up as these thoughts were stirred within me," she wrote.
Describing Dharam ji as a loving husband, affectionate father and grandfather, she said he was admired by everyone who knew him.
"He had been a loving and caring husband, an affectionate father and a grandfather, a well-meaning friend, a true philosopher, a trusted guide. Dharam ji exemplified all these noble qualities and much more. He was a generous, giving, good human being recognised and loved by all who knew him," she added.
Expressing gratitude, she said she accepted the award with humility on behalf of the entire family and the actor's millions of fans and well-wishers.
"I accepted the award with all humility on behalf of our entire family, millions of his fans and well-wishers," she said.
Concluding her emotional note, she thanked the Almighty for blessing her with a "wonderful soul mate" whose memories she would cherish forever.
"I thank the Almighty for having given me a wonderful soul mate, memories of whom I will cherish till the end of my life. These are my genuine outpourings, overwhelmed by the moment of receiving the nation's second most prestigious award, the Padma Vibhushan, on behalf of Dharam ji," she wrote.
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Earlier, speaking to ANI, Hema Malini said the honour was a moment of joy not just for the family but for the entire country."It makes us very happy, the entire country is happy. Had it come earlier, Dharmendra ji would have been extremely happy, and seeing him, his fans would have been even happier," she said.
The Padma Vibhushan, India's second-highest civilian award, was conferred on Dharmendra for his exceptional and distinguished service to the arts.
Dharmendra, fondly remembered as Hindi cinema's original 'He-Man', passed away on November 24, 2025, at the age of 89, leaving behind a towering legacy spanning over six decades.
Known for his charismatic screen presence, gentle smile and versatility, he was widely regarded as one of the most iconic actors of Indian cinema.