Veteran Bollywood actor Dharmendra passed away at the age of 89 on November 24. His passing has left a void in the industry, especially among fans who didn't get to see him one last time, as the Deol family decided to keep a silent funeral.
Dharmendra, known for his charismatic looks, acting prowess, and jovial nature, was head over heels in love with actor Hema Malini and went on to marry her despite facing societal pressures and norms. His first wife, Prakash Kaur, was his biggest support, and despite being his first wife, she understood Hema Malini and allowed Dharmendra to marry her.
Now, after his death, the nation wants to know who will inherit Dharmendra's property, which is worth Rs 500 crores, along with his ancestral property. Since Hema Malini and her daughters Ahaana and Esha stay separately, while Sunny and Bobby stay with their families and mother Prakash Kaur, and his daughters Ajeeta and Vijeta are settled abroad, discussions around inheritance have intensified.
If you look at Dharmendra's family tree, he is survived by his two wives, Hema Malini and Prakash Kaur; he has six children and other family members. Merely a week after his passing, the debate over who will own his property has grabbed headlines for all the wrong reasons.
As per reports, Dharmendra didn't leave his ancestral land to any of his offspring, Sunny, Bobby, Ajeita, Vijeta, Esha, or Ahana Deol. Instead, he chose to give it away to someone else entirely.
Who inherited Dharmendra's ancestral property worth Rs 5 crores?
Dharmendra gifted the property to his nephew, Buta Singh Deol. Dharmendra had written his will nearly eight to ten years ago, well before his health began to deteriorate. The ancestral property, spanning around 2.5 acres, was left to his uncle's children, his nephews, in honour of a bond instilled in him by his father. His decision was driven by familial responsibility rather than material reasons.
According to a recent report, Dharmendra's ancestral property is worth Rs 5 crore.
According to a report in The New Indian Express, Buta Singh said, "Dharmendra uncle was my father Manjit Singh's cousin. The last time he came to the village was in 2019, when his son Sunny Deol fought the parliamentary elections from Gurdaspur. Before that, he came in 2015–16 when he transferred 19 kanal and three marla of land to my father Manjit Singh and my uncle Shingara Singh (now deceased)."
Buta Singh also explained why Dharmendra left the ancestral land to his cousins' children instead of his own. "Since he left decades ago for Mumbai, our family has been taking care of his land, and we have been tilling it. He never forgot his roots, and he never forgot us..."
Dharmendra's ancestral roots
Dharmendra had deep ties to Dango in the Ludhiana district. Born Dharam Singh Deol in Nasrali, Punjab, his mother's village, his family belonged to nearby Dangon, where he grew up. His father owned land there, but after Dharmendra moved to Mumbai in the 1950s, his cousins and their families continued tending to the agricultural land. The land and house are currently valued at around Rs 5 crore.
According to several reports, Dharmendra often visited his ancestral home while filming his 2013 movie. Villagers recalled that he stepped out of his car, crouched down, touched the soil of his courtyard to his forehead, and stayed silent for a few minutes.
A look at other lavish properties and prediction houses owned by Dharmendra
Apart from his ancestral properties, Dharmendra also owns lavish vintage cars and farmhouses in Lonvala and other parts of Maharashtra. Two bungalows are located in Juhu, Mumbai.
As per a CA Knowledge report, Dharmendra properties are worth over Rs 17 crore in Maharashtra, which includes production houses, restaurants, and more. The Deol family's combined net worth is estimated to exceed Rs 1,000 crore
100-acre farmhouse
Dharmendra's farmhouse is situated in Lonavala. Inside the house, there is an old-world appeal. Some of the pieces of furniture are crafted from wood in earthy colours. The decor of the house represents his roots in Punjab.
His investments also include agricultural land valued at over Rs 88 lakh and non-agricultural land worth Rs 52 lakh.
The actor was reportedly planning to expand into the hospitality sector by developing a resort near his Lonavala farmhouse. According to a 2015 Economic Times report, he partnered with a restaurant chain to build a 30-cottage resort on a 12-acre plot near the property.
Dharmendra's family home is located in Juhu, Mumbai. The Juhu home is where the family gatherings, birthday celebrations, anniversaries, and weddings of the Deol family members take place. The bungalow has a classic charm about it, just like its owner, Dharmendra.
In Mumbai's exclusive Juhu neighbourhood, the family's 50-year-old Sunny Villa stands as a high-value command centre. This classic bungalow, where three generations of the Deol clan live, blends traditional Indian decor with prime wooden elements. It is a prized asset in an area known for exorbitant prices.
Meanwhile, 100 acres away in Lonavala is a sprawling farmhouse retreat that is not a lavish showpiece. It features rustic stone-and-wood architecture and is actively used for organic farming and livestock. His deep connection to the soil, rooted in his Punjabi heritage, defined his investment philosophy. His properties will forever stand as tangible monuments to the simple yet rich life he led.
Luxury cars
Dharmendra's love for cars was evident in his impressive garage. From his first prized vintage Fiat to modern luxury cars like a Range Rover Evoque worth Rs 85.74 lakh and a Mercedes-Benz SL500 priced at Rs 98.11 lakh.
A production house
Dharmendra launched his production house, Vijayta Films, in 1983 and introduced his sons Sunny and Bobby Deol with successful debuts, Betaab (1983) and Barsaat (1995). He also presented his grandson Karan Deol's debut film, Pal Pal Dil Ke Paas, in 2019.
