Remembering superstar Dharmendra, who ruled millions of hearts with his simplicity and acting in the history of Indian cinema, his wife and actress-politician Hema Malini became emotional. During the inauguration of the exhibition ‘Lens and Legacy: Bollywood in Focus’ held at the National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA), Mumbai, she paid tribute to her late husband and remembered the moments spent with him.
The exhibition is a comprehensive and impressive celebration of the visual culture of Indian cinema. Special tribute was paid to Dharmendra and Asha Bhosle in the exhibition. Hema Malini said, “I was very fortunate that I got the opportunity to spend my life with him. I miss him a lot. Now that he is no more, I don’t know how I will be able to cope with this for the rest of my life.”
She became emotional while paying tribute to Dharmendra and remembered not only his contribution to Indian cinema but also his personality. He said, “It means a lot to me to be a part of this exhibition. This tribute is not just a tribute to his contribution to the film industry, but also reflects his journey, passion, dedication and his love for the audience. He always said that films are a medium to connect with the heart. He had a deep passion for working in films and being in front of the camera.”
Dharmendra, popularly known as ‘He-Man’, created a strong legacy in his career spanning decades and won the hearts of millions of people with his acting and simplicity. From action roles to light-hearted comedies and emotional dramas, he was one of the most acclaimed actors of his era. The veteran actor died on November 24, 2025, a few days before his 90th birthday (December 8).
Sharing a glimpse of her personal life, Hema Malini said, “As my life partner, I saw how passionate he was. He touched the hearts of millions of people with his brilliant acting and behaviour. He inspired many people, including the younger generation. As an actor, friend and father, he was a great human being.” On April 12 this year, the film industry also lost veteran singer Asha Bhosle (92). Hema Malini said that the songs of Asha Bhosle and Lata Mangeshkar gave a special identity to her personality on screen.
He said, “We have lost a singer with a great, melodious voice. She sang as many songs for me as Lata ji sang.” The exhibition showcases works by India’s eminent photojournalists—Pradeep Chandra, Shantanu Das, Sudharkar Olave and Bandip Singh—as well as rare collections compiled by archivists, writers and film historians SMM Ausaja and Neha Kamat.
It also includes works by Balakrishna from the NGMA’s collection, including portraits of celebrities like Madhubala, Waheeda Rehman, Vyjayanthimala and Nargis. Hema Malini described the exhibition as a rare experience and said it took her down memory lane. He said, “This is a huge contribution of great people. This exhibition is a visual experience of the journey of the entire industry. Every frame holds deep memories and every poster takes us down memory lane.”
She also credited the people who worked behind the scenes, such as make-up artists, hairdressers, costume designers, cinematographers and photographers, who enhanced her on-screen persona. Senior actors Ranjeet, Poonam Sinha, Madhu, photographers Avinash Gowarikar and Kiran Shantaram and many others were present on the occasion.