Veteran actress Mumtaz, who shared the screen with Dharmendra in films like Loafer, has opened up about her deep bond with the late star and the crushing disappointment of being unable to see him one last time, as he was on a ventilator in the hospital.
November 27, 2025: As the Bollywood fraternity prepares to attend the “Celebration of Life” for the late superstar Dharmendra, his former co-star, veteran actress Mumtaz, has shared her raw grief and cherished memories, highlighting his legendary kindness and the pain of a final, missed opportunity.
Dharmendra passed away on November 24 at the age of 89, following a period of hospitalization due to breathlessness.
The Heartbreak at Breach Candy
In a heartfelt conversation, Mumtaz recounted her desperate attempt to see the actor, with whom she starred in hits like Jheel Ke Us Paar and Loafer (1973), while he was admitted to Mumbai’s Breach Candy Hospital.
Mumtaz: “I went to see him at the hospital, but the staff told me he was on the ventilator and no one was allowed to meet him… I sat there for 30 minutes, hoping I might still get to see him, but I couldn’t. I left without meeting him.”
Her disappointment was palpable, underscoring the deep affection and respect she held for her colleague. The last time she saw Dharmendra in person was in 2021 when she visited him at his residence—a memory she now holds close as their final in-person exchange.
A Co-star with a ‘Golden Heart’
Mumtaz fondly remembered Dharmendra as an exceptional human being, known for his warmth and humility despite his iconic status.
“We worked together in a few films, and he was always a wonderful co-star,” she said. “A very nice man with a truly golden heart. He was milansar—warm, friendly, connected to everyone. He was a legend who will always be remembered; he is irreplaceable.”
The actress also extended her condolences to Dharmendra’s wife, Hema Malini, who recently penned her own emotional tribute, stating, “She was always devoted to him. She must be feeling this loss very deeply. She was truly in love with him.”
A Final Farewell
Mumtaz paid her respects earlier this week by sharing a series of nostalgic photographs and film stills on social media, writing: “Dharam ji, you were and you are always with us! May you rest in peace.”
The Deol family will host a “Celebration of Life”—a prayer gathering—today, Thursday, November 27, 2025, at the Sea Side Lawn of Taj Lands End in Bandra, Mumbai, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., where family, friends, and industry colleagues will gather to honor the late star.