As the world ushered in 2026, Esha Deol shared a poignant New Year's Eve post on Instagram, tenderly remembering her late father, the legendary actor Dharmendra. The heartfelt tribute resonated with fans and fellow celebrities alike, drawing an outpouring of love and support.
Esha, who celebrated the New Year in Dubai, posted two photos that captured a quiet, emotional moment amidst the festivities. In one image, she is seen gazing at the moon with Dubai's iconic Burj Khalifa in the background. Dressed in a chic black-and-gold outfit with a black jacket, she pointed towards the night sky. The other photo featured a star near the moon, accompanied by the words "Love you, papa".
"Stay blessed, happy, healthy & strong. Love you all," Esha captioned the post, adding a message of resilience and well-being. Her half-brother, Bobby Deol, responded to the touching tribute with red heart emojis, signifying a shared moment of grief and familial support.
Dharmendra, a celebrated icon of Indian cinema, passed away on November 24, 2025, at the age of 89. His death marked the end of an era, leaving a void in the hearts of fans and the film fraternity. He is survived by his two wives, Prakash Kaur and Hema Malini, and his six children: Sunny Deol, Bobby Deol, Esha Deol, Ahana Deol, Vijeta Deol, and Ajeeta Deol.
Esha's tribute arrives as Dharmendra's final film, Ikkis, hits theaters. The film, directed by Sriram Raghavan, is a war biopic based on the life of Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal, the youngest recipient of the Param Vir Chakra. Dharmendra portrays Brigadier Madan Lal Khetarpal (Retd.), Arun's father. The film stars Agastya Nanda in the lead role, alongside Jaideep Ahlawat, Simar Bhatia, and Rahul Dev.
Following Dharmendra's passing, the Deol family hosted a prayer meeting that was attended by numerous Bollywood personalities, including Salman Khan. Hema Malini and her daughters, Esha and Ahana, also held a separate prayer service at their residence. Furthermore, Hema and her daughters organized another prayer meet in Delhi.
Esha's career includes roles in films like Koi Mere Dil Se Poochhe (2002), which earned her the Filmfare Award for Best Female Debut, Dhoom (2004), and No Entry (2005). In 2015, she made her television debut as a judge on MTV Roadies.
