Alive, But Misreported: What Dharmendra’s Death Hoax Reveals

GG News Bureau
Mumbai, 11th Nov: The internet nearly declared an icon dead before his family could speak. On Tuesday morning, social media erupted with posts claiming veteran actor Dharmendra, 89, had passed away — a rumour that spread faster than any confirmation could. Within hours, his wife Hema Malini and daughter Esha Deol had to step in publicly, condemning the spread of falsehood and demanding accountability.

Dharmendra, reportedly under observation at Mumbai’s Breach Candy Hospital after an episode of breathlessness, is stable and recovering, said family. Yet, misinformation on social media sparked a wave of unnecessary panic and grief among millions of fans.

In a firm response, Hema Malini took to X (formerly Twitter) and wrote: “What is happening is unforgivable! How can responsible channels spread false news about a person who is responding to treatment and is recovering? This is being extremely disrespectful and irresponsible. Please give due respect to the family and its need for privacy.”

What is happening is unforgivable! How can responsible channels spread false news about a person who is responding to treatment and is recovering? This is being extremely disrespectful and irresponsible. Please give due respect to the family and its need for privacy.

— Hema Malini (@dreamgirlhema) November 11, 2025

Esha Deol also issued a statement on Instagram, saying, “The media seems to be in overdrive and spreading false news. My father is stable & recovering. We request everyone to give our family privacy. Thank you for the prayers for Papa’s speedy recovery.”

Their words weren’t just a clarification — they were an indictment of a digital culture that thrives on sensationalism. An unverified post, reportedly from Congress MP Abhishek Manu Singhvi, further amplified the chaos before it was deleted. The episode shows how misinformation doesn’t need intent — just carelessness and speed.

So, what does this say about us? Are we so consumed by the thrill of breaking news that we forget to check if it’s true? Celebrity culture has become a feeding ground for digital recklessness, where rumours about health or death travel unfiltered, shared in seconds, regretted later.

Dharmendra isn’t the first victim of a death hoax — and won’t be the last — unless both media and audiences take responsibility. Social media platforms must act faster to flag misinformation, and journalists must remember that being “first” is meaningless if one isn’t right.

Perhaps the Dharmendra episode should serve as a wake-up call — not for celebrities, but for the consumers of digital content. The next time a tweet declares someone dead, the most powerful tribute might simply be to pause and verify before we mourn.