Hema Malini recently opened up about the pain of losing her husband, legendary actor Dharmendra, admitting that she is still struggling to come to terms with his death. The actor-politician attended the inauguration of Lens and Legacy: Bollywood in Focus, an exhibition celebrating Indian cinema’s visual history, organised by the National Gallery of Modern Art in Mumbai along with the Union Ministry of Culture.
The exhibition included special tribute walls dedicated to Dharmendra and legendary singer Asha Bhosle. During the event, Hema became visibly emotional while remembering her late husband and speaking about the bond they shared.
“I was really blessed to be with him. I miss him a lot. Now he’s not there. So I don’t know how I’m going to cope with it my whole life,” she said.
Paying tribute to Dharmendra’s contribution to Indian cinema, Hema said the honour went far beyond celebrating his film career. She spoke about his passion for acting, his love for audiences, and the warmth he carried both on and off screen.
“It is very meaningful for me to be part of this exhibition. This tribute is not just a recognition of his contribution to the film industry. It is about his journey, passion, dedication and immense love for the audience. He always used to say, ‘Film is the way to connect with the heart’. He was very passionate about working in films and being in front of the camera,” she shared.
Known as Bollywood’s “He-Man,” Dharmendra remained one of Hindi cinema’s most loved stars for decades. From intense action roles to emotional dramas and comedy films, he built a career that earned admiration across generations. The veteran actor passed away on November 24, 2025, shortly before his 90th birthday.
Hema also reflected on the kind of person he was in real life, saying, “As his life partner, I could see how passionate he was. He touched the hearts of millions of people with his wonderful performance and behaviour. He inspired so many people, including the younger generation. As an actor, a friend and a father – he was a great man.”
The event also remembered Asha Bhosle, who passed away earlier this year. Hema recalled how both Asha Bhosle and Lata Mangeshkar played an important role in shaping her screen image through unforgettable songs. “We have lost a beautiful, great singer with a golden voice. She sang for me as many songs as Lata Ji did for me,” Hema said.
The exhibition showcases photographs captured by some of India’s most celebrated photojournalists, including Pradeep Chandra, Shantanu Das, Sudharak Olwe and Bandeep Singh. It also includes a special archival collection curated by renowned film historian and author S M M Ausaja along with Neha Kamat of Kamat Foto Flash, who is the granddaughter of Damodar Kamat.
The event was attended by several well-known personalities, including veteran actor Ranjeet, Poonam Sinha, Madhoo, celebrity photographer Avinash Gowarikar and Kiran Shantaram, among others.