Bobby Deol breaks down recalling life after Dharmendra's death
Synopsis
Bobby Deol's tears on 'Shekhar Tonite' weren't just a son's grief — they were a window into what India lost when Dharmendra passed in November 2025. A six-decade career, a farmhouse where he chatted with gardeners about parathas, and a son who says wherever he goes, strangers still cry. That's the measure of the man.
Key Takeaways
Bobby Deol became emotional on 'Shekhar Tonite' while recalling life after his father Dharmendra's passing.
Dharmendra died in November 2025 at age 89 , just 10 days before his 90th birthday .
Bobby said wherever he goes, people still speak of his father emotionally — 'Unke jaisa koi nahi ho sakta.' Host Shekhar Suman recalled Dharmendra's simplicity, describing how he would warmly converse with farmhouse staff about everyday things.
Dharmendra's career spanned over six decades , with classics including 'Sholay' , 'Satyakam' , and 'Phool Aur Patthar' .
Bollywood actor Bobby Deol became visibly emotional during a candid appearance on the relaunched chat show 'Shekhar Tonite', tearing up as he reflected on life following the passing of his father, legendary actor Dharmendra, who died in November 2025 at the age of 89 — just 10 days before his 90th birthday. Speaking with host Shekhar Suman, Bobby described the profound void left behind by a man the entire world had loved.
A Grief Shared Between Host and Guest
The conversation took on a deeply personal tone when Shekhar Suman drew a poignant analogy, telling Bobby: 'Ek bahut bada vriksh hota hai jiske neeche aap aur aapka parivaar bandha hota hai. Jab woh chala jaata hai toh kitna khaali-khaali lagta hai' — likening Dharmendra to a great tree that had sheltered his entire family, and whose absence left life feeling hollow.
Bobby, visibly moved, first turned the empathy back toward his host, acknowledging Suman's own grief at having lost his elder son at a young age. 'Aapne apni zindagi mein kisi ko khoya hai aur main jaanta hoon aap kis dard se guzre honge. Mujhe nahi lagta ki aap kabhi uss dard se poori tarah ubhar paaye honge,' Bobby said — recognising that some losses never fully heal.
Bobby on Dharmendra: 'The Whole World Loved Him'
Recounting his father's extraordinary reach, Bobby said: 'Mere liye mere papa woh insaan the jinko poori duniya bahut pyaar karti thi. Humein hamesha yeh ehsaas tha, lekin jab woh chale gaye toh sirf humare liye nahi, poori duniya ke liye bahut dukh tha. Main jahan bhi jaata hoon, log unhe yaad karke emotional ho jaate hain. Papa bahut special the. Unke jaisa koi nahi ho sakta.'
The sentiment underscored something that went beyond a son's grief — Dharmendra was a cultural institution, and Bobby's words reflected the scale of that loss for fans across generations.
Shekhar Suman Recalls Dharmendra's Simplicity
Suman added his own tribute, recalling Dharmendra's warmth and groundedness: 'Sunny, Bobby aur parivaar ke alawa bhi woh sabse utna hi pyaar karte the. Farmhouse par jo bhi milta tha, unse baat karte the, chahe gardener ho, house help ho, ya koi aur. Baingan, methi aur parathon tak ki baatein karte the. Isse zyada simple insaan kaun ho sakta hai?'
The anecdote painted a picture of a superstar who never let fame distance him from ordinary people — a quality that made Dharmendra beloved far beyond the film fraternity.
The Legacy of a Six-Decade Career
Dharmendra's career spanned over six decades, producing some of Indian cinema's most enduring classics — among them 'Sholay', 'Chupke Chupke', 'Satyakam', 'Seeta Aur Geeta', and 'Phool Aur Patthar'. He is widely regarded as one of the most iconic stars in the history of Hindi cinema.
As Bobby Deol continues to navigate both personal loss and a remarkable professional resurgence, his emotional tribute on 'Shekhar Tonite' is a reminder that behind every legend is a family still learning to live without them.
Point of View
Equally comfortable discussing parathas with a farmhand and headlining a blockbuster. His passing in November 2025 closed a chapter of Hindi cinema that cannot be replicated by franchise films or OTT algorithms. What Bobby's grief reveals, inadvertently, is how thin the bench of that kind of icon has become.
NationPress
9 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
When did Dharmendra pass away?
Dharmendra passed away in November 2025 at the age of 89, just 10 days before his 90th birthday. He is survived by his sons Sunny Deol and Bobby Deol, among other family members.
What did Bobby Deol say about his father on 'Shekhar Tonite'?
Bobby Deol said his father was someone the whole world loved, and that wherever he goes, people still become emotional speaking about Dharmendra. He said, 'Papa bahut special the. Unke jaisa koi nahi ho sakta' — meaning no one can ever be like him.
What is 'Shekhar Tonite' and who hosts it?
'Shekhar Tonite' is a relaunched chat show hosted by actor and television personality Shekhar Suman. Bobby Deol appeared on the show for a candid conversation in which he opened up about his father Dharmendra's legacy and his own grief.
What films is Dharmendra best remembered for?
Dharmendra is best remembered for classics such as 'Sholay', 'Chupke Chupke', 'Satyakam', 'Seeta Aur Geeta', and 'Phool Aur Patthar'. His career spanned over six decades and he is regarded as one of the most iconic stars in the history of Hindi cinema.
How did Shekhar Suman describe Dharmendra on the show?
Shekhar Suman recalled Dharmendra's warmth and simplicity, noting that he would speak with equal affection to everyone at his farmhouse — gardeners, house staff, and guests alike — and would happily talk about everyday things like brinjals, fenugreek, and parathas.
