Media 'Kills' Dharmendra, Deadly Game of Fake News Exposed

Mumbai: Bollywood’s “He-Man,” Dharmendra, is unwell and is in a hospital. His condition is serious but our “TRP-hungry media” spread false and highly irresponsible news of his death just to grab views and ratings.

The 89-year-old actor had been admitted to Breach Candy Hospital in Mumbai for a routine check-up. But within a few hours, social media and news portals were flooded with reports claiming “Dharmendra has passed away.” The rumors spread so fast that even legendary lyricist Javed Akhtar got caught in the trap and posted an emotional tribute.

Falling prey to the “TRP media,” Javed Akhtar wrote on X (Twitter) that his dear friend had “left forever.” However, the post was quickly deleted after Dharmendra’s family clarified the truth.

So, what should we call the media’s behavior, conspiracy or sheer carelessness? Javed’s innocent mistake proves how easily fake news can fool even celebrities.

Then came Dharmendra’s wife Hema Malini’s strong reaction. Furious on social media, she wrote: “What is happening? This is utterly disrespectful and irresponsible! The media is in overdrive, spreading lies. My husband is stable and recovering. Please give the family privacy, this won’t be tolerated!”

Dharmendra’s daughter Esha Deol also lashed out, saying: “The media is spreading false news. My father is stable and recovering. Please leave the family alone!”

Their cousin Guddu Dhanoa also confirmed Dharmendra’s good health and said that the rumors were deeply hurting the family.

Now the real question is — has the media become so desperate for TRPs that it plays with people’s lives? This isn’t just a fake death rumor; it’s an attack on a family’s emotions.

---

Nothing New

Actually, this isn’t new. The media’s fake death game is an old business. In 2024, false news of Poonam Pandey’s death was spread in the name of cancer awareness, while she was perfectly fine.

In 2025, rumors about Amitabh Bachchan’s death at age 81 went viral multiple times, but Big B laughed them off. Shah Rukh Khan was once “killed” in a fake plane crash, Lata Mangeshkar was falsely declared dead at 85, and Aishwarya Rai was said to have died in a 2016 car accident.

But this filth isn’t limited to Bollywood. Even political and business figures have been targeted. In 2020, false reports of former President Pranab Mukherjee’s death spread on social media, and even senior journalists tweeted condolences.

His son Abhijit Mukherjee angrily wrote, “My father is alive and stable. Stop this fake news factory!”

Then in 2024, Ratan Tata, chairman of the Tata Group, was the victim of repeated death rumors. He had to personally clarify on social media: “This is fake news. It was just a check-up, nothing else!”

In 2021, a fake video about Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s death circulated in Jharkhand, originating from a local media group. The police later registered a case.

These examples prove that the virus of fake news has infected every field. Our so-called “responsible” media doesn’t seem to understand that this concerns real human lives.

---

We wish Dharmendra ji a speedy recovery and urge our readers to stay alert and cautious of the web of fake news.