‘Meat-lover’ Dharmendra turns vegetarian with second wife Hema Malini, reveals daughter Esha Deol: ‘My mom can’t handle the smell of non-veg food’

Actor Esha Deol revealed that her father, veteran star Dharmendra, is a meat-lover but becomes a vegetarian around her mother Hema Malini.

By: Entertainment Desk

New Delhi | September 25, 2025 11:16 AM IST

3 min read

Esha Deol revealed that Dharmendra becomes a 'vegetarian' around her mother Hema Malini

Esha Deol was born into a multi-cultural family – her father, veteran superstar Dharmendra is a Punjabi and mother Hema Malini is a South Indian. When it comes to her dietary habits, they are highly influenced by her mom’s side. The actor prefers having South Indian food, and even her daughters Radhya and Miraya have started enjoying the cuisine now. In a recent interview, she revealed that her dad Dharmendra, who is a meat-lover, is very respectful of Hema’s choices and turns vegetarian whenever he is with her.

During a conversation with Times Of India, Esha shared that she grew up eating south Indian food at her house. Her staple diet is idli, sambhar and dosa-chutney and she also enjoys eating curd rice. In fact, even her daughters have started to enjoy those foods. They ask her cook to make idli sambhar and chutney at least thrice a week.

The actor, who is a strong supporter of vegetarianism, also opened up about her father Dharmendra’s food habits when he is around her mother Hema Malini. “My dad really respects my mom’s choices, so whenever he is with her, he is a vegetarian,” she said. Esha further added that whenever they travel somewhere, they see him eat some non-veg food item. “And when he does that, he goes to another room to have it as mom can’t handle the smell.” She has seen them on outdoor shoots and witnessed such adorable moments.

ALSO READ | Hema Malini-Dharmendra’s real-life romance charged up their chemistry in Sholay: ‘Sometimes there were problems…’

In the same interview, Esha revealed that her mother Hema has made a change in her food habits. She said that there is a lot of awareness about food and diets in today’s world. While the 76-year-old actor didn’t follow anything earlier, however, she only eats gluten-free food now. Gluten, the protein in wheat, barley, and rye, has several health benefits, especially for people above the age of 70.

On the work front, Esha Deol was last seen in two web series – Rudra: The Edge Of Darkness, alongside Ajay Devgn, and Hunter: Tootega Nahi, Todega, opposite Suniel Shetty. The actor will be making her big screen comeback with Tumko Meri Kasam after her 2015 film Kill Them Young. Helmed by Vikram Bhatt, the film also features Ishwak Singh. It is based on the life of Dr. Ajay Murdia, the founder of Indira IVF, a chain of fertility clinics.

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