
Veteran actor Dharmendra, aged 89, was admitted to Mumbai’s Breach Candy Hospital for observation after experiencing breathlessness. Soon after, a false report of his demise exploded online. The rumour spread rapidly, leaving fans worried and confused. However, his daughter Esha Deol and wife Hema Malini were quick to clarify the truth. Both took to social media, assuring fans that Dharmendra was very much alive and recovering well.
Esha urged people to stop sharing unverified news, while Hema Malini expressed her disappointment at the insensitivity shown by those spreading baseless reports. This incident highlights how fake death rumours can deeply affect families and fans, even for icons loved for decades.
Actor and Dharmendra’s daughter, Esha Deol, shared a firm note on Instagram to put an end to the false rumours. She wrote, “THE MEDIA SEEMS TO BE IN OVERDRIVE AND SPREADING FALSE NEWS. MY FATHER IS STABLE & RECOVERING. WE REQUEST EVERYONE TO GIVE OUR FAMILY PRIVACY. THANK YOU FOR THE PRAYERS FOR PAPAS SPEEDY RECOVERY.”
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Veteran actor and politician Hema Malini criticised media outlets and news channels for circulating false reports about the death of her husband, legendary actor Dharmendra. She wrote on X, “What is happening is unforgivable! How can responsible channels spread false news about a person who is responding to treatment and is recovering? This is being extremely disrespectful and irresponsible. Please give due respect to the family and its need for privacy.”
What is happening is unforgivable! How can responsible channels spread false news about a person who is responding to treatment and is recovering? This is being extremely disrespectful and irresponsible. Please give due respect to the family and its need for privacy.
— Hema Malini (@dreamgirlhema) November 11, 2025
Here’s a look at some celebrities who have been victims of viral death hoaxes, causing confusion and concern among their fans worldwide.
Amitabh Bachchan, the Shahenshah of Bollywood, has been targeted by fake death news several times. False WhatsApp messages and misleading YouTube videos have claimed his demise on more than one occasion. Each time, the superstar or his team had to issue clarifications to confirm he was perfectly fine.

These hoaxes tend to resurface whenever he is hospitalised for minor treatments, causing unnecessary panic among his global fanbase.
Recently, Hollywood and global cinema legends are not spared either. Jackie Chan, the beloved action star known for movies like ‘The Karate Kid’, has “died” multiple times according to viral social media rumours. From fake car accidents to heart attack claims, hoaxes about his death appear every few years. On November 10, 2025, the actor was caught in a fake death rumour on Facebook that worried many fans. A picture of him on a hospital bed also spread quickly online.
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Each time, his team releases a statement or the actor himself posts on social media to prove he’s alive - often with humour, reminding fans not to believe everything online.
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Shah Rukh Khan, one of the most recognisable names in world cinema, once became the victim of a shocking death hoax. A fake international news report claimed that SRK had died in a plane crash, which was announced by a European news station. The story spread across Twitter and Facebook before being debunked by the actor’s team.
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This case shows how quickly fake stories can travel globally in the age of digital media.
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Even Katrina Kaif, known for her calm and private nature, has faced fake news about her death. In 2022, a Facebook post falsely claimed that the actress had met with a fatal accident. The post went viral, causing concern among her followers. Katrina’s representatives later confirmed that she was alive and well, and the report was entirely fake.
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This was one of several times social media has falsely ‘Killed’ a celebrity just for attention and clicks.
Fake death rumours may seem harmless to some, but they can cause immense emotional distress to families and fans. For public figures, it also damages credibility and spreads fear. These incidents are a reminder that before sharing any news, especially about someone’s health or life, it’s important to check official sources first.
For more such stories, stay tuned to HerZindagi.
Image credit: IMDb
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