On Sunday evening, actor Bobby Deol became visibly emotional as he accepted the Lifetime Achievement Award on behalf of his late father, Dharmendra, during the Chetak Screen Awards 2026 held in Mumbai. This honor was awarded posthumously to acknowledge Dharmendra’s exceptional contributions to Indian cinema over a career that spanned more than sixty years. The award was presented by notable figures including Javed Akhtar, Ramesh Sippy, and Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.
While accepting the award, a tearful Bobby Deol addressed the audience, expressing, “I can feel my father’s love reflected in all of your eyes. His work resonated with many, and even his Instagram reels became a source of joy for him.” He emphasized that Dharmendra always aimed to spread happiness and gratitude, stating, “He believed in the importance of happiness and was convinced that we all have received so much from life. He encouraged us to recognize the special gifts we possess and to believe in ourselves to achieve our dreams.”
Bobby Deol also highlighted his father’s perseverance in the industry, noting, “Dharmendra worked tirelessly for many years, navigating both triumphs and challenges without ever surrendering.” He remarked on the enduring love that people have for Dharmendra, sharing, “Everywhere I go, I am met with such warmth, thanks to my father opening the hearts of many to our family.”
As his emotions heightened, he added, “The love he received from the public was so immense that they embraced us without hesitation. Standing here today, I wish I could tell him, ‘Papa, you couldn’t be here, but I have brought your award with me.’”
He concluded his speech by expressing his gratitude, stating, “I never envisioned being in this moment, and Anant Goenka truly wanted me here. I feel incredibly blessed and thankful to God for making me his son. Thank you, Screen. Papa, you are the greatest.”
Prior to the award presentation, the ceremony honored Dharmendra with a heartfelt montage showcasing his iconic film moments, accompanied by a voiceover from Amitabh Bachchan reciting verses from Dharmendra’s poetry.
Javed Akhtar, recalling his first encounter with Dharmendra, shared a personal anecdote that highlighted the actor’s kind nature. He said, “I met him when I was just 20 years old in 1965. At that time, I was earning Rs 175 working as an assistant director. Someone introduced us, and I was taken aback by the warmth of his handshake. As an assistant director, I had applauded many of his performances and even wrote scripts for him. He once called me to say, ‘I’m launching my son, and I need you to write the script.’ That was for Betaab, the debut film of Sunny Deol.”
He continued, “Our relationship spanned many years, and while it’s peculiar why he showed me such affection, I recognize he offered love to countless others as well. Successful individuals often receive respect, but Dharmendra was genuinely beloved across the industry. His personality was unique—he embodied dignity combined with remarkable humility. This rare blend endeared him to everyone he met. Thank you for honoring him today.”
With an impressive film career exceeding 300 titles, Dharmendra is celebrated as one of the stalwarts of Hindi cinema. From the 1960s to the 1970s, he stood out alongside contemporaries like Rajesh Khanna and Amitabh Bachchan, establishing a distinct presence with both box office hits and critically acclaimed roles.
In later years, he continued to showcase his talent in films such as Life in a… Metro, Johnny Gaddaar, and Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani. His final project, Ikkis, marked the end of an illustrious journey. He passed away in November of the previous year.
Dharmendra is survived by his sons Sunny and Bobby Deol, daughters Ajeeta and Vijayta, as well as Esha and Ahana Deol. He is also mourned by his wives, Prakash Kaur and Hema Malini.
The Chetak Screen Awards, established by The Indian Express Group, are considered among the most prestigious film accolades in India, emphasizing merit, integrity, and recognition by peers. Winners were selected by the independent Screen Academy, a non-profit organization consisting of 53 esteemed filmmakers, artists, and cultural figures.
After a preliminary shortlist, Academy members evaluated the submissions through a systematic voting process. The assessment framework, devised by Priya Jaikumar from the University of Southern California’s School of Cinematic Arts, ensured a comprehensive review of creativity, technical excellence, audience engagement, and innovation, particularly in performance categories where authenticity was a key criterion.
The Screen Academy comprises a distinguished group of members, including Shoojit Sircar, Deepa Mehta, Sriram Raghavan, Ram Madhvani, Guneet Monga Kapoor, John Abraham, Kabir Khan, Karan Johar, Mukesh Chhabra, Payal Kapadia, Prosenjit Chatterjee, Rajkumar Hirani, Resul Pookutty, Rima Das, and Vidya Balan, among others, representing a diverse and influential segment of the film industry.
Viewers can watch the Chetak Screen Awards 2026 live on YouTube, Sony Entertainment Television, and Sony LIV.
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