Veteran Bollywood actor Dharmendra passed away on November 24 in Mumbai. He was 89. The actor was suffering from breathing complications. He was admitted to Breach Candy Hospital a few weeks ago, but after showing signs of improvement, he was discharged from the hospital. Dharmendra returned to his Juhu residence and started recovering. But he reportedly again developed breathing complications and put on medication.
While the news has left the nation grieving, the quiet, restricted manner of his funeral has raised many questions among fans. The Padma Bhushan awardee’s body was not kept for public viewing, and state honors were not visibly performed, leaving everyone wondering why.
1. Why was Dharmendra’s body not kept for public viewing?
Fans were surprised that despite his iconic status, the family chose a private farewell. Security was tightened outside his Juhu bungalow and at the Vile Parle crematorium, and no arrangements were made for fans to pay their respects.
2. Why weren’t state honors seen at the funeral?
As a Padma Bhushan recipient, Dharmendra was expected to receive state honors at the time of cremation. However, those present outside the crematorium did not hear any guard of honor, and reporters were not allowed inside.
3. Why was the news kept under wraps initially?
Reports of an ambulance arriving at his residence began circulating around 1 pm on Monday, but heavy security and silence from the family kept the situation unclear. This hesitation comes after a false death report on November 11, which deeply upset the family. Because of that previous incident, no one confirmed Monday’s developments until IANS broke the news at 1:10 pm.
4. Why was Dharmendra discharged so quickly after being on a ventilator?
Dharmendra was on a ventilator for two days after being admitted to Breach Candy Hospital on November 10. Fans are questioning how someone on ventilatory support could be discharged so quickly.
His daughters were urgently flown in from abroad, and Bobby Deol left his shoot midway, indicating a serious deterioration.
Yet within 48 hours, the actor was shifted home a decision that has raised doubts among supporters who followed his health updates closely.
5. Why was there no clarity from the family despite rising concern?
Between November 12 and November 24, the family maintained that Dharmendra was recovering.
A leaked hospital video showing him on a ventilator led to arrests of hospital staff, and the family requested privacy. But after his passing, the lack of a clear official statement until after the cremation has left fans confused and disappointed.
