Two wives and six children: Who gets to inherit Dharmendra’s billions?

WEB DESK: Mumbai is buzzing with late-night whispers and sensational headlines as speculation rises over the vast fortune of Bollywood’s iconic He-Man, Dharmendra. From ancestral lands in Punjab to high-value properties in Mumbai, the legendary actor’s empire, rumored to be worth hundreds of crores, has become the most talked-about inheritance mystery in the industry. The question echoing through every production house and celebrity gathering is simple but explosive: Who will be the real heir to Dharmendra’s legacy?

Dharmendra’s journey from the quiet village of Nasr Ali in Ludhiana to the heart of Bollywood royalty has long been a tale of grit, charm, and unmatched charisma. The son of a schoolteacher father and a homemaker mother, he transformed a modest upbringing into a career that spanned six decades and built a dynasty powerful enough to influence the very fabric of the film world.

TWO MARRIAGES, TWO FAMILIES… ONE INHERITANCE STORM?

Now after the legend’s passing, there is a drama brewing that might be unlike any seen in the Deol household before. At the center of the unfolding drama stand Dharmendra’s two families. His first marriage to Prakash Kaur in 1954 brought him four children: Sunny Deol, Bobby Deol, Vijita Deol, and Ajita Deol, each raised within a close-knit, traditional home. His second marriage to actress Hema Malini in 1980, surrounded by controversy at the time, resulted in two daughters, Esha Deol and Ahana Deol. Though both families maintained respectful relations over the years, insiders whisper that the distribution of Dharmendra’s wealth could lead to tensions.

THE GOLDEN QUESTION: HOW MUCH DID HE LEAVE BEHIND?

Estimates in entertainment circles place Dharmendra’s personal wealth between ₹335 crore and ₹450 crore (PKR 10.5 billion to PKR 14 billion), while the combined Deol family assets may exceed ₹1,000 crore (PKT 31 billion). His estate likely includes prime real estate in Mumbai, ancestral property in Punjab, film rights accumulated over decades, and a portfolio of investments that reveal a lifetime of financial discipline. The sheer scale of his assets has only fueled speculation about who stands to inherit what.

WHO WALKS AWAY WITH THE EMPIRE?

The film fraternity is rife with predictions. Some believe the legacy will be divided evenly among his six children, while others suggest a larger share may go to Sunny and Bobby, who carried the Deol banner in Bollywood. Supporters of Esha and Ahana, however, argue that Dharmendra maintained a deep emotional bond with his daughters from his second marriage. Rumors even hint at the possibility of a surprise beneficiary who may be named in his will, if indeed a formal will exists.

THE FINAL DAYS AND A CITY IN MOURNING

Dharmendra had been unwell for some time, undergoing treatment for respiratory complications before his rumored passing. Hema Malini strongly refuted the earlier reports of his passing, after which the news broke that he has moved back home after being discharged from the hospital. However, merely days later the family confirmed the news of his passing, which triggered a wave of grief across India, with fans, colleagues, and admirers expressing their sorrow and recounting the unforgettable mark he left on Hindi cinema.