Actor Salman Khan paid an emotional tribute to the legendary Dharmendra during the Bigg Boss 19 finale, reflecting on the late star’s remarkable journey. Calling him an "elder brother" and "father figure," Salman recalled Dharmendra’s appearances on previous seasons of the show. A special video highlighting their heartwarming moments together was also showcased, including Dharmendra referring to Salman as his son.

Visibly moved, Salman said, "We lost our He-Man, the most amazing man. There is no one like Dharam Ji. He lived king-sized and gave 60 years of entertainment, along with his Sunny, Bobby, and Esha." He further honored Dharmendra’s illustrious career, noting, "From the start to the end of his career, he aimed to do good work. He portrayed everything from comedy to drama with charm. I always followed him in my career. He had an innocent face, a He-Man body, and a captivating personality that lasted till the end."

The legendary actor, known as Bollywood's 'He-Man,' passed away on November 24, 2025. The Deol family hosted a prayer meet, 'Celebration of Life,' at Seaside Lawns, Taj Lands End, Bandra, attended by film fraternity luminaries including Salman Khan, Madhuri Dixit with Karan Johar, Rekha, Akshay Kumar, Aishwarya Rai, Abhishek Bachchan, and many others, to pay their respects.