Mumtaz Reveals She Was Not Allowed To Meet Dharmendra in Hospital: 'I Sat There For 30 Minutes...'

Veteran actress Mumtaz, who starred opposite Dharmendra in Jheel Ke Us Paar (1973) and Loafer (1973), recently opened up about her cherished memories with the late superstar. In a heartfelt conversation, she reflected on their warm bond, his legendary kindness, and the pain of not being able to see him one last time.

A Heartbreaking Attempt to See Him in the Hospital

Mumtaz revealed that she tried to visit Dharmendra at Mumbai’s Breach Candy Hospital, where he had been admitted after complaining of breathlessness. Hoping for even a brief moment with her former co-star, she went to the hospital—only to receive devastating news.

“I went to see him at the hospital, but the staff told me he was on the ventilator and no one was allowed to meet him,”

she told ETimes. “I sat there for 30 minutes, hoping I might still get to see him, but I couldn’t. I left without meeting him.”

The disappointment of that day stayed with her; her grief was evident as she recalled the moment she walked away without a final glimpse.

Their Last Meeting in 2021

In recent years, Mumtaz had met Dharmendra at his residence in 2021—a memory she holds close.

“I met him last in 2021, when I went to his place,” she said. “It was such a pleasant meeting. That was the last time we met.”

Her words reflect not just admiration but a quiet sorrow, knowing that the warmth of that meeting would be their final in-person exchange.

Her Condolences for Hema Malini and the Family

Mumtaz also expressed deep sympathy for Dharmendra’s wife, Hema Malini, acknowledging the profound grief she must be experiencing.

“I feel sorry for his family, and for Hema ji,” she said. “She was always devoted to him. She must be feeling this loss very deeply. She was truly in love with him.”

Her empathy underscored the magnitude of the loss felt not only by fans but by the family that loved him dearly.

A Co-star With a Golden Heart

Looking back at their time together, Mumtaz remembered Dharmendra as an extraordinary colleague and an even more extraordinary human being.

“We worked together in a few films, and he was always a wonderful co-star,” she said. “A very nice man with a truly golden heart. He was milansar—warm, friendly, connected to everyone. Even till the end, he had a good equation with people. They still love him, and they always will. He was a legend who will always be remembered; he is irreplaceable.”

A Tribute Through Photographs

On Tuesday, Mumtaz shared a series of nostalgic photographs with Dharmendra—film stills and rare group moments featuring Anju Mahendru, Poonam Sinha, Jackie Shroff, Danny Denzongpa, Talat Aziz, and herself. “Dharam ji, you were and you are always with us! May you rest in peace,” she wrote in her tribute.

Dharmendra’s Final Days and Farewell

Dharmendra passed away on November 24 at the age of 89. He was admitted to Breach Candy Hospital on October 31 after experiencing breathlessness and was discharged on November 12. The veteran actor was cremated at the Pawan Hans Crematorium in Mumbai on Monday. A prayer meet will be held this evening at the Seaside Lawns of Taj Lands End in Bandra from 5 pm to 7:30 pm.