Key Points:
- Dharmendra cremated at Pawan Hans crematorium without official state honors
- Family reportedly showed no interest in following state honor procedure
- Administration was not informed in timely manner, preventing official protocol
- Funeral conducted hastily, celebrities rushed directly to crematorium
- Last actor to receive state funeral was Manoj Kumar in April 2025
- Procedure requires family to submit official request with documentation
According to sources, the administration was not informed of Dharmendra’s death promptly. For state honors, the family must submit an official proposal to the government, which takes some time. The general procedure requires the family to first inform the administration and submit a request letter stating their desire for state honors, including documentation of the deceased’s achievements, awards, and public service. After verifying documents such as the family’s consent, death certificate, and identity card, the administration carefully examines the deceased’s work and approves state honors, providing a salute and guard of honor in the presence of government officials.
Family’s Reported Reluctance and Hasty Funeral
Dharmendra’s family reportedly showed no interest in pursuing state honors. The family did not issue any official statement to the media until several hours after his death, and the funeral was conducted hastily. The media and film industry learned of Dharmendra’s death as his body was being taken directly to the crematorium. His second wife, Hema Malini, also arrived directly at the crematorium. Industry veterans like Salman Khan, Amitabh Bachchan, Aamir Khan, and Shah Rukh Khan also had to rush directly to the crematorium upon receiving the sudden news.
Dharmendra’s Eligibility for State Honors
State honors are awarded in recognition of the deceased’s distinguished service and public contributions. Dharmendra was awarded the Padma Bhushan in 2012, making him eligible for this honor. He was elected as a Member of Parliament from Bikaner in 2004 on a BJP ticket and had a film career spanning 65 years with over 300 films. Despite these achievements, his funeral was conducted without official state honors.
Bollywood Celebrities Who Received State Honors
Many Bollywood celebrities have received state honors for their contributions, including actors like Manoj Kumar, Lata Mangeshkar, Sridevi, Shashi Kapoor, Pankaj Udhas, and Dilip Kumar. Interestingly, the last actor to receive a state funeral was veteran star Manoj Kumar, who was cremated with full state honors in Mumbai on April 5, 2025. His funeral included a three-gun salute and his body draped in the national flag. The tribute recognized his contribution to Indian cinema, particularly his patriotic roles that earned him the nickname Bharat Kumar.
Conflicting Reports on Funeral Honors
While some reports indicate Dharmendra did not receive state honors, other sources suggest he was cremated with full honors. The confusion may stem from the distinction between official state honors and the presence of film industry tributes. The family reportedly felt that Dharmendra and his family never got their due in Bollywood, as the veteran actor stated in 2023 that the industry had not recognized their contribution to Hindi cinema.
