Legendary Bollywood star Dharmendra’s false death news began to circulate after he was admitted to Breach Candy hospital on Monday night.
By Tuesday morning, November 11, several Indian news outlets claimed that the "He-Man of Bollywood" breathed his last at the Mumbai's medical facility.
Just when heartfelt tributes began to pour in, Dharmendra’s wife Hema Malini and daughter Esha Deol vehemently denied the reports.
Malini, 77, set the record straight via a post on X (formerly Twitter). "What is happening is unforgivable!" she wrote, expressing her dismay. "How can responsible channels spread false news about a person who is responding to treatment and is recovering?"
The veteran actress continued, "This is being extremely disrespectful and irresponsible. Please give due respect to the family and its need for privacy."
Esha, 44, meanwhile tackled the false news, writing, "the media seems to be in overdrive and spreading false news. my father is stable & recovering."
"We request everyone to give our family privacy. Thank you for the prayers for papas speedy recovery. Esha Deol," she added in the Instagram post.
The 89-year-old actor is alive and "responding to treatment." He was reportedly hospitalised after experiencing breathing issues, prompting widespread concern among fans and the film fraternity.
While false reports of Dharmendra’s death began circulating online, his daughter Esha and his wife Malini stepped forward to clarify the situation.
Malini expressed her frustration over the unverified rumours and Esha reassured fans that her father is in stable condition and urged everyone not to spread and believe on such news.
In addition to family members, including Sunny and Bobby Deol, as well as Bollywood stars such as Salman Khan, Shah Rukh Khan, Ameesha Patel, and Govinda, have been spotted visiting the hospital since Dharmendra’s hospitalisation.