New Delhi: Bollywood’s He-Man Dharmendra passed away at the age of 89. The veteran actor was admitted to the hospital a few weeks ago and was discharged after showing signs of recovery. It is being told that when he breathed his last, he was undergoing treatment at home.
Dharmendra was approaching his 90th birthday, but the beloved star passed away on November 25.
The Bollywood icon was given an unexpectedly quiet farewell. His last rites took place at the Pawan Hans crematorium in Vile Parle, Mumbai, where grief-stricken fans gathered with tears in their eyes to pay their last respects to their favorite superstar.
Add Zee News as favorite source
Dharmendra’s sons, Sunny Deol and Bobby Deol laid him to rest in a private funeral ceremony.
Why was Dharmendra not given a state funeral?
It was expected that the funeral of the head of the Deol family would be conducted with full state honours. Dharmendra was not only a great actor but also a former Member of Parliament, having served as the BJP representative from Bikaner constituency of Rajasthan in the 15th Lok Sabha. He was also a recipient of the Padma Bhushan.
Several reports have suggested that the Sholay actor is likely to be given a gun salute for his immense contribution to Indian cinema. However, according to reports, the Deol family decided not to hold a state funeral.
The last actor to receive a state funeral was veteran Indian actor, Manoj Kumar, who was cremated with full state honors in Mumbai on April 5, 2025.
Who is given a state funeral?
State funerals are reserved for individuals whose work and public service have made a deep and lasting impact on the nation. It is an honor usually given to eminent personalities, acknowledging their extraordinary contribution to their field or the country at large.
Such funerals follow a formal protocol and are conducted with full formal honours. These may include gun salutes, the Tricolor draped over the coffin and opportunities for the public to pay their respects. The ceremony symbolizes not only individual achievements but also the collective sorrow of the nation.
There is no set rule book for who gets a state funeral. The decision is guided by precedent, administrative guidelines and most importantly the discretion of the government. State officials assess the individual’s legacy, stature, and influence on society. The Chief Minister, along with senior cabinet members and officials, deliberates over whether the honor is appropriate, often taking into account public sentiment.
Before a state funeral is approved, detailed discussions are held within the state leadership to determine whether the individual meets the criteria for such a high honor.
Meanwhile, Dharmendra’s last film Twenty One is scheduled to release in theaters on December 25. In the film directed by Sriram Raghavan, he appears as Agastya Nanda’s father.