Subhash Ghai honours Dharmendra with legend’s handprint at Whistling Woods

Subhash Ghai pays last tributes to Dharmendra

Veteran filmmaker Subhash Ghai has penned a deeply personal tribute to the late Dharmendra, honouring the legendary actor with a gesture that feels as heartfelt as it is symbolic.

At Whistling Woods International, the film school Subhash founded and nurtured for years, Dharmendra’s handprint now rests on the institute’s Fame Wall—a permanent reminder of the warmth, generosity, and towering artistry he brought to Indian cinema.

On Tuesday, Subhash Ghai shared a photograph of the handprint sculpture, its surface capturing the creases, strength, and history of a man loved by millions.

Beneath it, the inscription reads simply: “Dharmendra Deol – Actor”—a title that barely scratches the surface of what he meant to the world.

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In the caption that accompanied the image, Ghai wrote with visible emotion, “Dharam paaji. Your hand print at our fame wall of Whistling Woods International will always remind us about your super body work n loving nature n your blessings to us n students current n next generation of artiste n technicians in cinema. Whistlingwoods pays its hearty tribute to u always.”

The heart of Indian cinema has been holding its breath ever since the news of the veteran actor’s passing broke.

Dharmendra, lovingly hailed as Bollywood’s ‘He-Man’, passed away at his Mumbai residence at the age of 89, surrounded by his family. Even though he had been battling age-related ailments, the finality of the moment sent a wave of grief across the nation.

His house became a place of deep remembrance and silent mourning in a matter of hours. Family members gathered first—Hema Malini, Sunny Deol, Bobby Deol, Esha Deol, and Ahana—each visibly shaken as they received the steady stream of visitors who came to pay their respects.

Also Read: Dharmendra Net Worth: Know everything about veteran actor's properties, restaurants, car collection and luxurious assets

The faces arriving at the residence were a testament to Dharmendra’s unmatched goodwill. Veteran icons Amitabh Bachchan, Jaya Bachchan, and Shatrughan Sinha walked in sombre silence, mourning not just a colleague, but a friend who had stood by them through decades of cinema’s ever-shifting tides.

Members of the younger generation—Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, Aamir Khan, and many others—also came to bid farewell to the man whose films shaped their childhoods and whose humility shaped their understanding of stardom.

Producers, directors, musicians, and technicians followed, each with their own quiet story about Dharmendra’s kindness, humour, and unwavering respect for every person on set.