4 min readMumbaiJul 10, 2026 09:55 PM IST The passing of veteran actor Dharmendra last year left the Hindi film industry and generations of admirers grieving the loss of one of Indian cinema’s most celebrated stars. While his legacy continues to live on through his work, his wife and veteran actor Hema Malini recently reflected on the man he was beyond the screen, remembering him as a loving husband, a trusted companion, and someone who always put others before himself. ‘He was a loving husband’ In a conversation with Zoom, Hema spoke about finding her life partner, describing it as the biggest challenge in life, but said everything fell into place effortlessly when she met Dharmendra. “The biggest challenge was deciding on your life partner. Very easily, it happened with the grace of the divine. What I wanted happened beautifully, without any problem.” Recalling the late actor’s nature, she added, “Throughout, he has been a wonderful friend. I would say he was a loving husband, a well-meaning friend, a trusted guide, and a true philosopher. …