Esha Deol's birthday tribute to Ahana: 'Papa's blessings always with you'
Synopsis
Months after losing their father Dharmendra, Esha Deol's birthday note to sister Ahana carried more than just celebration — it was a quiet invocation of a legendary actor's legacy, reminding the world that the Deol family's grief and love are deeply intertwined.
Key Takeaways
Esha Deol posted a birthday tribute for sister Ahana Deol on 28 July on Instagram.
The message referenced their late father Dharmendra , saying 'Papa's blessings are always with you.' Dharmendra passed away on 24 November at age 89 after a brief illness in Mumbai .
Ahana Deol , a trained classical dancer and director, married businessman Vaibhav Vohra in 2014 .
Dharmendra's final film, 'Ikkis' , directed by Sriram Raghavan , released on 25 December 2025 .
Actress Esha Deol took to Instagram on 28 July to share a heartfelt birthday message for her younger sister Ahana Deol, invoking the memory of their late father, veteran actor Dharmendra, whose blessings she said would always remain with Ahana. The post, accompanied by a smiling photograph of the two sisters together, captured the close bond the siblings have shared over the years.
The Birthday Message
In her post, Esha wrote: 'Happy Birthday My Anni Baby. The youngest and the wisest: Papa's blessings are always with you. Stay happy, healthy & strong, Love you always.' The tribute was notable for its emotional undertone, coming months after the passing of their father. The sisters' public displays of affection during family milestones have been a consistent thread across their social media presence.
Who Is Ahana Deol
Ahana Deol is the younger daughter of Dharmendra and actress Hema Malini. Unlike her sister Esha, who pursued a career in Hindi cinema, Ahana has largely remained away from acting. She is a trained classical dancer and director. She married businessman Vaibhav Vohra in 2014.
Remembering Dharmendra
Veteran actor Dharmendra passed away on 24 November at the age of 89 after a brief illness at his Mumbai residence. His final big-screen appearance was in director Sriram Raghavan's war drama 'Ikkis', which also starred Agastya Nanda and was released on 25 December 2025.
Esha on Her Father's Influence
Earlier in May, Esha had spoken publicly about the shared aesthetic sensibilities she discovered with her late father. At an event, she revealed that both she and Dharmendra favoured wood, white tones, and natural elements in interior spaces. She quoted him as often saying, 'Lage raho bete, karte raho (keep going, give it your all)' — words she said continue to guide her creative choices today.
'It was his faith in my creativity that gave me the courage to wholeheartedly pursue it today,' Esha Deol shared. As the Deol family navigates life after Dharmendra's passing, moments like Ahana's birthday serve as quiet reminders of the bonds and values he left behind.
Point of View
Personal moment — but it lands differently now that Dharmendra is gone. What reads as a birthday wish is also a public act of grief management, threading a deceased father's name into a sibling celebration to keep his memory present. The Deol family has been unusually candid about loss in recent months, and these social media moments are doing quiet cultural work: humanising a Bollywood dynasty that has often been mythologised rather than seen. Ahana's continued distance from the film industry, meanwhile, is a reminder that not every star's child chooses the spotlight — and that choice deserves more curiosity than it typically gets.
NationPress
28 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Esha Deol write in her birthday post for Ahana Deol?
Esha Deol wrote: 'Happy Birthday My Anni Baby. The youngest and the wisest: Papa's blessings are always with you. Stay happy, healthy & strong, Love you always.' The post was shared on Instagram on 28 July along with a photograph of the two sisters.
When did Dharmendra pass away?
Veteran actor Dharmendra passed away on 24 November at the age of 89 after a brief illness at his Mumbai residence. His final film, 'Ikkis', directed by Sriram Raghavan, was released on 25 December 2025.
What was Dharmendra's last film?
Dharmendra's final big-screen appearance was in Sriram Raghavan's war drama 'Ikkis', which also starred Agastya Nanda. The film released on 25 December 2025.
What has Esha Deol said about her father's influence on her?
Esha Deol has said that her taste in interiors closely matched her father Dharmendra's, with both favouring wood, white tones, and natural elements. She has also shared that his words — 'Lage raho bete, karte raho' — continue to guide her creative pursuits today.
