IFFD 2026: Hema Malini to accept award for Dharmendra; says I will be there to receive it

Actor and Member of Parliament Hema Malini has confirmed that she will receive a special honour on behalf of veteran actor Dharmendra at the International Film Festival of Delhi (IFFD) 2026. The festival, currently underway in New Delhi, marks its inaugural edition and is being held over several days with participation from prominent figures across the film industry.

Expressing her support for the initiative, Hema Malini praised the organizers and highlighted the scale of the event. “I would like to congratulate Rekha Gupta ji for organizing the International Film Festival in Delhi. It is going to be there for 4-5 days. She has also invited many artists,” she said.

She further confirmed that Dharmendra would be among those honoured, adding, “Many artists will be honoured at the festival. They are also paying tribute to Dharam ji. So, I will be there to receive it.” The recognition is part of a broader effort to celebrate the contributions of veteran artists to Indian cinema.

Reiterating her participation, Hema Malini told ANI, “I would like to congratulate Rekha Gupta ji for organising the International Film Festival in Delhi. It is going to be there for 4-5 days. She has also invited many artists. Many artists will be honoured at the festival. They are also paying tribute to Dharam ji… So, I will be there to receive it.”

The International Film Festival of Delhi (IFFD) 2026 is being positioned as a significant platform to showcase diverse cinematic works while also honouring industry stalwarts. Supported by Delhi government bodies, the festival aims to bring together filmmakers, actors, and audiences under one roof.

The inaugural edition of the festival kicked off on March 25 with a grand opening ceremony at Bharat Mandapam. The event was hosted by Arjun Kapoor and Nimrat Kaur, and saw several Bollywood celebrities, including Vicky Kaushal, Sanya Malhotra, Siddhant Chaturvedi, Anupam Kher, and Lauren Gottlieb. The festival is scheduled to conclude on March 31.

Dharmendra, one of Hindi cinema’s most enduring stars, has enjoyed a career spanning several decades with numerous landmark films. The tribute at IFFD 2026 adds to the continued recognition of his legacy and lasting influence on the industry.