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Time of India

Hema Malini pays heartfelt tribute at Dheeraj Kumar's prayer meet; Bollywood mourns the loss

The atmosphere at Dheeraj Kumar 's prayer meet in Mumbai was one of quiet sorrow and deep respect as members of the film and television fraternity came together to honour a man who left a lasting imprint on Indian entertainment. As reported by Hindustan Times, held on Friday, July 19, the prayer meet saw the presence of several film industry veterans, including Hema Malini , Jackie Shroff , and Poonam Dhillon , who gathered to pay their final respects to the late actor-producer. Hema Malini was seen offering her condolences to the bereaved family. She spent time speaking with Dheeraj Kumar's close relatives. The actress was also seen comforting them through their grief. Remembering Dheeraj Kumar's Legacy Dheeraj Kumar, who passed away on July 15 at the age of 79, had been battling acute pneumonia and was undergoing treatment at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital in Mumbai. He breathed his last in the ICU, surrounded by family. The official statement by Dheeraj Kumar's family read, "It is with great sadness that we have to announce the death of renowned actor, producer and director Dheeraj Kumar, who left us due to cardiac arrest. He was undergoing treatment at Kokilaben Hospital in Andheri West and was on ventilator support. The industry mourns the loss of a talented professional who made a significant contribution to the world of entertainment. Our condolences and prayers are with his family, friends and colleagues in this difficult time. May his soul rest in peace." Dheeraj made a mark both in front of and behind the camera. As an actor, he featured in notable films like 'Roti Kapda Aur Makaan', 'Behnaam', and 'Swami'. However, it was his work as a television producer that touched millions of households, his mythological series Om Namah Shivay and courtroom drama Adalat became household names. Industry Unites in Mourning Jackie Shroff, visibly emotional, stood in silent reflection, while Poonam Dhillon joined the family in remembering the man who had always carried himself with grace and humility. In an exclusive interview with ETimes, the 'Ganesh Leela' actor remembered Dheeraj Kumar. He said, "As a Producer, Dheeraj ji always had a special creative eye that made him different from the rest. It's really upsetting for me as an artist to hear about his demise after having worked with him. I made sure to attend his funeral to pay him my final tribute as my heart is filled with gratitude towards him. It is a difficult time for his family. May God bless the departed soul and may his family get the strength and courage to deal with this loss." Bollywood actress Hema Malini in Jaipur