Fake news about veteran actor Dharmendra's death has been circulating on social media for the past three days, upsetting his family, friends, and countless fans. My mother happens to be one such fan of the great actor. Glued to the news channels for the latest update on his health, she - like many admirers of Dharmendra - was distraught and disappointed by the false reports of his passing.
Dharmendra's 'imaginary death' began trending across social media platforms early on Tuesday (November 11). The rumour spread so widely that even film stars started posting condolence messages. It was only after the family confirmed that the 89-year-old actor was alive and responding to treatment that the outpouring of tributes finally stopped.
His daughter Esha Deol and wife, actress-turned-politician Hema Malini, swiftly set the record straight. Dismissing the rumours as "irresponsible" and "disrespectful," Hema Malini clarified that the 89-year-old star was alive, stable, and recovering under medical care.
Hurting Emotions
Taking to her official X (formerly Twitter) account on Tuesday morning, Hema Malini wrote:
"What is happening is unforgivable! How can responsible channels spread false news about a person who is responding to treatment and recovering? This is extremely disrespectful and irresponsible. Please give due respect to the family and its need for privacy."
The Indian Film and Television Directors' Association also issued a statement condemning the false news, calling it "deeply distressing."
With over 300 films to his credit - many of them iconic - Dharmendra has left an indelible mark on Indian cinema and in the hearts of his fans. From romance to comedy to action, audiences have loved him in every genre. For my mother, he is the most handsome man on earth. She never missed watching his films at the cinema. She admired his versatility in Chupke Chupke (1975), Phool Aur Patthar (1966), Satyakam (1969), Mera Gaon Mera Desh (1971), Seeta Aur Geeta (1972), Anupama (1966), and Pratigya (1975), to name a few.
My mother related more to his romantic and simple characters than his 'He-Man' or 'Garam Dharam' avatars. "When he's angry, his nose flares," she often said fondly, speaking about her favourite hero.
For millions of fans, Dharmendra is not just a Bollywood legend - he is an emotion, someone they deeply connect with. To see false reports of his death spread across social media platforms and even feature on certain news channels was both disturbing and disgraceful.
The Era of False News
The recent circulation of fake news about the veteran actor's demise is yet another stark reminder of how recklessness and sensationalism have eroded the integrity of modern media. What began as a rumour quickly spiralled into a wave of panic, grief, and confusion - devastating fans and deeply hurting the actor's family.
In an age where information travels faster than thought, truth often becomes the first casualty. In their race for clicks and viral engagement, many media outlets abandon their most sacred duty - to verify before amplifying.
In the past too, there have been death hoaxes involving celebrities such as Amitabh Bachchan, Rajinikanth, Shah Rukh Khan, and Kajal Aggarwal, among others. Each of them was forced to issue official statements confirming they were very much alive.
This latest incident once again exposes a deeper malaise afflicting contemporary media culture. The obsession with being first has overpowered the responsibility to be right. Social media - once a platform for democratic expression - has turned into a breeding ground for half-truths, rumours, and outright fabrications. When mainstream outlets echo these falsehoods without verification, the damage multiplies. And that's tragic.
The human cost of such negligence is profound. Imagine the distress of the actor's loved ones, who were forced to issue clarifications amid a storm of misinformation while fervently praying for his recovery. Fans across the world mourned a man who, thankfully, is still with us.
In that moment, the line between truth and falsehood blurred - and trust, the very foundation of journalism, took yet another hit.
For the media to regain its moral ground, self-regulation is no longer optional. News organisations must strengthen verification mechanisms, enforce stricter editorial checks, and hold individuals accountable for spreading misinformation. And as consumers, we too must pause before sharing - for every retweet or forward can either spread truth or deepen a lie. Today, both media and masses seem to suffer from the same FOMO.
Meanwhile, much to everyone's relief - including my mother's - the ailing actor was discharged from Mumbai's Breach Candy Hospital on Wednesday morning. His family has decided to continue treatment at home. One can only hope and pray that Paaji, as Dharmendra is fondly called, recovers fully and one day laughs about the news of his "death" being announced prematurely.
We in the media must remember - being first means nothing if you cannot be trusted.
(The author is Contributing Editor, NDTV)
Disclaimer: These are the personal opinions of the author
