Dharmendra’s decision regarding his ancestral property in Punjab has resurfaced after his death, prompting questions about who inherited the land if it did not go to his children, Sunny Deol, Bobby Deol, Esha Deol or Ahana Deol. Indian media reports clarify that the veteran actor chose to give the land to relatives in his native village years before he passed away.

The Sholay icon, who died on 24 November at the age of 89, had transferred the land to family members who maintained and farmed it for decades. The property, reportedly worth around five crore Indian rupees, was part of Dharmendra’s legacy but was not treated as a conventional inheritance for his immediate family.

During a visit to Punjab in 2015, Dharmendra completed the handover of 19 kanal and three marla of land to his nephews, Buta Singh and Manjit Singh. The family had been responsible for cultivating the land since the actor left for Bombay in the 1950s to pursue a career in cinema. The transfer was seen as a gesture of gratitude and continuity rather than a financial transaction.

Explaining the decision, Buta Singh recalled how Dharmendra acknowledged those who remained connected to the land for generations. He stated that the family farmed the property, safeguarded it and ensured its upkeep long before the transfer took place. Dharmendra’s visits to Punjab over the years also maintained a personal connection to the region and to the people who supported his family.

Dharmendra, born Dharam Singh Deol, hailed from Nasrali and grew up in Dangon before moving to Bombay. His rise as one of Hindi cinema’s most celebrated stars did not sever his ties with his birthplace. His family, including his children from marriages to Prakash Kaur and Hema Malini, were informed of the arrangement, and the transfer took place with full consent.

Reports following his passing pointed to a period of ill health leading up to his death. His funeral was attended by colleagues, peers and admirers from across the industry, marking the end of an era. His property allocation, made years earlier, reflected a practical approach to ancestral land—placing it in the hands of those who worked it and lived near it.

Dharmendra’s gesture has been interpreted as a reminder of his deep-rooted values, highlighting a legacy that extended beyond celebrity wealth to relationships and responsibility. While discussions around inheritance often focus on family heirs, this decision underscores the personal choices made by public figures to honour loyalty, labour and history.