The room fell silent as Bobby Deol stepped onto the stage in Mumbai. Holding back tears, the actor accepted a Lifetime Achievement Award on behalf of his late father, legendary star Dharmendra — a moment that felt less like a ceremony and more like a deeply personal tribute to one of Indian cinema’s most beloved icons.
Bobby Deol Gets Emotional Accepting Dharmendra’s Award
At the Chetak Screen Awards 2026, Bobby Deol accepted the Lifetime Achievement Award conferred posthumously on Dharmendra, honouring the veteran actor’s extraordinary contribution to Indian cinema.
The award was presented by screenwriter Javed Akhtar, filmmaker Ramesh Sippy, and Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.
As Bobby began speaking, emotion quickly took over.
“I see my father’s love in all your eyes,” he told the audience. “My father touched everyone’s hearts through his work… and even through his Instagram reels, which had become his new hobby.”
It was a small but telling detail. Even in his late eighties, Dharmendra had found a way to connect with fans in the digital era.
The Emotional Tribute That Moved the Audience
During his speech, Bobby reflected on the lessons his father had instilled in him — perseverance, optimism, and belief in one’s inner gift.
“He always believed that God has given everyone something special,” Bobby said.
“He saw both good and bad times in the industry but never gave up.”
The actor paused several times as he spoke about the love the Deol family continues to receive from audiences.
“Wherever I go, people welcome me with so much love because my father opened their hearts for us — for me, my brother, and our family.”
Then came the line that visibly moved many in the audience.
“I feel like I’ll go home and tell him, ‘Papa, you couldn’t come, so I’ve brought your award with me.’”
For a moment, the applause felt more like a collective embrace.
A Tribute to Dharmendra’s Enduring Legacy
Before Bobby took the stage, the ceremony honoured Dharmendra with a montage of his most iconic performances.
The tribute carried an added emotional weight: the voiceover was delivered by Amitabh Bachchan, who recited lines from Dharmendra’s poetry.
Few actors have enjoyed the kind of longevity Dharmendra did. From the golden era of Hindi cinema to the age of social media, he remained culturally relevant for over six decades.
Even his late-life Instagram videos — often simple, heartfelt messages to fans — became unexpectedly popular.
Remembering Dharmendra’s Final Chapter
Dharmendra passed away on November 24, 2025, at the age of 89 at his Mumbai residence.
Earlier that month, he had been discharged from Breach Candy Hospital following a health scare and was recovering at home.
His final film, Sriram Raghavan’s Ikkis, released on January 1 this year and was widely praised by critics and audiences.
The legendary actor also received the Padma Vibhushan posthumously, recognising his immense contribution to Indian cinema.
Internationally, the BAFTA Awards honoured him in their In Memoriam segment, although his absence from the televised Oscars tribute sparked debate among fans online.
For Bobby Deol, the award ceremony was more than a public recognition of his father’s legacy. It was a moment of quiet closure — a son standing before the industry that shaped his family, carrying forward the memory of a legend who never stopped believing in people.
