Hema Malini addressed the crowd at the prayer meet and said, "Aaj ki is prarthana sabha mein aap sab ka swagat karte hue, main bahut hi bhavuk ho rahi hoon. Maine kabhi nahi socha tha ki meri zindagi mein aisa ek pal aayega, jab mujhe bhi yeh shok sabha rakhni padegi, woh bhi mere Dharam ji ke liye. The whole world is mourning his passing, but for me, it is an inconsolable shock, the breaking of a companionship that stood the test of time."

Read the full story here.

Arun Govil took to his Instagram handle to share photos from Dharmendra's prayer meet in Delhi.

He wrote, "आज डॉ. अंबेडकर इंटरनेशनल सेंटर, नई दिल्ली में सांसद श्रीमती हेमा मालिनी जी द्वारा आयोजित प्रार्थना सभा में शामिल होकर स्व. धर्मेंद्र जी को विनम्र श्रद्धांजलि अर्पित की। उनकी सादगी और योगदान सदैव प्रेरणा रहेंगे।"

At the prayer meet, Member of Lok Sabha and actor Ravi Kishan said, "Woh itne sundar vyakti the, maine itna sundar hero kabhi nahi dekha. Maine kaafi heroes ke saath kaam kiya hai, lagbhag sabke saath kar chuka hoon film industry mein. Dharam ji jaisa sundar, jo atma se bhi aur sharir se bhi sundar ho, maine kabhi nahi dekha."

Remembering Dharmendra, Amit Shah said at the prayer meet, “I never had a personal meeting with Dharmendra ji. Once he called me when Hema ji became an MP. He had written a letter… He was worried that Hema ji should win from her constituency with a good vote margin - he mentioned this in the letter - and that’s exactly what happened; Hema ji won by a very good margin.”

“Dharmendra ji was a man with a very clean and pure heart. Today, I have come here as a fan of Dharmendra ji; I have not come here as the Home Minister. Dharmendra ji entered the film industry at a time when there wasn’t much money, nor the kind of luxury we see today. Through sheer hard work and dedication, he achieved that stature. The same person who could play a character like the one in Sholay could also play a completely different kind of role in Chupke Chupke,” he continued.

Amit Shah concluded by saying, “I have watched many of Dharmendra ji’s films that are connected with patriotism. I have watched his film Aankhen many times. Even back then, it felt as though this was a true patriot; this wasn’t just acting. The whole world knows that Dharm ji was a farmer’s son and loved the country deeply. Even at the age of 90, Dharmendra ji’s departure is a great loss. May God grant peace to his noble soul. Vande Mataram!”

After Hema Malini, Union Home Minister Amit Shah delivered a speech remembering Dharmendra at his prayer meet in New Delhi.

Hema Malini remembered her husband, Dharmendra, at the prayer meet and delivered a heartfelt speech.

Former Cabinet Minister, Anurag Thakur, joins other ministers at Dharmendra's prayer meet.

Union Home Minister, Amit Shah, arrives at Dharmendra's prayer meet in Delhi.

Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment, Ramdas Athawale, attends Dharmendra's prayer meet in Delhi.

BJP MPs Kangana Ranaut and Ravi Kishan arrive at Dharmendra's prayer meet in Delhi to pay their tribute to the late film actor.

A two-minute silence was observed in memory of Dharmendra. Hema Malini and her daughters were seen paying their respects with folded hands.

Dharmendra served as a BJP MP from Bikaner, Rajasthan, between 2004 and 2009. During his campaign, he drew criticism for a remark in which he joked that he should be made a permanent dictator so he could instil in people the basic manners needed in a democracy.

Read the full story here.

Veteran actor and Trinamool Congress MP from Asansol, Shatrughan Sinha, took to his X handle to pen a heartfelt note on Dharmendra's birthday on December 8.

He wrote, "Remembering with immense love & fondness my 'first hero' & 'people's hero' in true sense, like a dear elder brother @aapkadharam. You have left behind a huge vacuum no one can ever fill. You are truly irreplaceable. You will live in our hearts forever. Long Live Dharamji!"

An Indian classical music performance is underway as guests offer their shraddhanjali.

A documentary on Dharmendra’s life was screened at the prayer meet.

On December 8, Esha Deol shared a loving post to wish her "papa" Dharmendra. 

Taking to her Instagram handle, she wrote, "To my darling Papa, Our pact, the strongest bond, unites us through all our lifetimes, all the realms, and beyond. We are always together, papa. Be it heaven or earth, we are one. For now, I have very tenderly, carefully, and preciously tucked you in my heart... deep, deep inside to carry on with me for the rest of this lifetime."

Read the full story here.

At the prayer meet, Delhi CM Rekha Gupta said, "A human being and an artist like Dharmendra, he has earned legions of fans worldwide. A good-hearted person with a warm smile, he rules people's hearts. His passing away is painful for all, but his cinematic legacy will live on forever."

Esha Deol’s former husband, Bharat Takhtani, arrived at Dharmendra’s prayer meet in Delhi. Ahana Deol’s husband, Vaibhav Vohra, also joined the family at the gathering.

Speaker of the Lok Sabha, Om Birla, attended Dharmendra’s prayer meet, joined by several other ministers.

Chief Minister of Delhi, Rekha Gupta, arrives at Dharmendra's prayer meet in Delhi.

On Dharmendra's birth anniversary on December 8, Hema Malini shared a few photos and penned a long note dedicated to him.

She wrote on X, "Dharam ji. Happy birthday my dear heart. More than two weeks have passed since you left me heartbroken, slowly gathering up the pieces and trying to reconstruct my life, knowing that you will always be with me in spirit."  Read the full story here. 

Union Minister of Railways of India, Ashwini Vaishnaw, arrives at the prayer meet to pay tribute to Dharmendra.

Inside the prayer meet, attendees were greeted by an intimate photo display of Dharmendra with Hema Malini ad their daughters, Esha and Ahana Deol, arranged across the venue. 

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Union Environment Minister Bhupendra Yadav, and MPs Harsh Malhotra and Bansuri Swaraj arrive at Dharmendra's prayer meeting.

Minister of State, Jitendra Singh, said at the prayer meet that he had come to pay his condolences, as he had a long-standing association with Hema Malini and Dharmendra, the latter having been a parliamentarian for a brief period.

Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution of India, Prahlad Joshi, also attended the prayer meet. He said his favourite film would always be Sholay. 

"He gave countless hits and was well-respected and extremely friendly despite being such a huge star," said Prahlad Joshi.

This is the second prayer meet organised in Dharmendra's memory. 

Prior to the Delhi prayer meet, Hema Malini also held a Gita Paath at her Mumbai home in memory of Dharmendra on November 27, the same day the Deols organised a separate gathering at Taj Lands End. 

At the entrance of the venue, the banner for the prayer meet reads, "Dharmendra, A Legacy That Lives On." 

Beneath it, the words "His kindness, humility, and gentle warmth touched every heart. He leaves behind a legacy of love, strength, and an everlasting grace" stands like a closing chapter in a beautifully lived life.

Hema Malini and her daughters, Esha and Ahana Deol, arrived at the venue to welcome guests at the prayer meet.

Jitendra Singh, Minister of State for Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, visited the Ambedkar International Centre in Delhi to pay tribute to Dharmendra during his prayer meet.

The prayer meeting for Dharmendra, organised by actor and BJP MP Hema Malini, is set to be held at Dr Ambedkar International Centre, Janpath, New Delhi. It is expected to begin at 4 pm.