Bigg Boss 19 Finale: Salman Khan Breaks Down for Dharmendra & The Internet is Sobbing

Okay fam, grab the tissues because we are absolutely not okay right now. We all tuned into the Bigg Boss 19 Grand Finale expecting the usual chaos, glamour, and the winner announcement, but what we got was a core memory that’s going to live rent-free in our hearts forever. While the night was supposed to be about the trophy, the vibe shifted instantly when our forever host Salman Khan took the stage to pay tribute to the OG He-Man of Bollywood, Dharmendra, who left us just weeks ago. If you thought you could get through this without crying, joke is on you. The emotional heavy lifting was real, and honestly? It felt like a personal loss for the entire desi internet.

The Breakdown

The Birthday Coincidence That Wrecked Us

Bhai was visibly struggling to keep it together, and once he dropped the date logic, we understood why. The timing is actually heartbreaking.

• Dharmendra passed away on Nov 24 (which is Salman's dad, Salim Khan’s birthday).

• The Finale was Dec 7 (eve of Dharmendra’s 90th Birthday).

• Dec 8 is not just when Dharmji would have turned 90, but it’s also Salman’s mom’s birthday.

Salman literally said, "If I'm feeling like this, imagine what Sunny and his family must be going through." That level of empathy? That’s why we stan. It wasn't just a colleague grieving; it was a son mourning a father figure.

"He Was My Third Son"

We’ve always known Salman and Dharmendra had a bond, but seeing the montages played during the finale hit different. Salman confessed that his entire career graph was just him trying to be like Dharmji.

"We lost the He-Man... I don't think there is anyone better than Dharmji. The way he lived life was king-size." — Salman Khan

The most wholesome part? They played a clip where Dharmendra called Salman his "third son" (alongside Sunny and Bobby), calling him emotional and transparent. The validation from the legend himself? Main Character Energy at its peak. It’s clear this wasn’t just industry PR; the love was deep, rooting back to the Sholay era with Salim Khan.

A Dignified Farewell & The Final Unkept Promise

Salman also took a moment to appreciate the Deol family—specifically Sunny and Bobby Deol for how they handled the funeral. He called it a "celebration of life" maintained with grace and dignity. But here is the tea that hurts: Dharmendra had promised Salman on a previous episode that he would come back for the finale. "Salman ho aur Dharam na aaye?" he had said. That promise remaining unfulfilled because of his passing is the kind of tragic irony that Bollywood scripts are made of, but this time it was real life.

TL;DR Snippet

For the busy who just need the facts for the group chat:

• Event: Bigg Boss 19 Grand Finale.

• Date: December 7, 2025.

• Tribute To: Dharmendra (Passed away Nov 24, 2025, aged 89).

• Key Connection: Dharmendra’s 90th birthday (Dec 8) coincided with Salman's mom's birthday.

• Upcoming Release: Dharmendra’s final film, Ikkis, hits theaters December 25, 2025.

• BB19 Winner: Gaurav Khanna.

Fans Also Asked (FAQs)

What did Salman Khan say about Dharmendra at the Bigg Boss 19 Finale?

Salman Khan gave a tearful tribute, calling Dharmendra the "He-Man" and admitting that he modeled his entire career after him. He also revealed the heartbreaking coincidence of their family birthdays aligning with the tragedy.

When is Dharmendra's last movie releasing?

Dharmendra's final on-screen appearance will be in the film "Ikkis," which is scheduled for a theatrical release on December 25, 2025. It’s going to be an emotional watch for sure.

How are Salman Khan and Dharmendra related?

While not blood relatives, they shared a father-son bond. Dharmendra famously called Salman his "third son," and their connection goes back 50+ years to when Salman's father, Salim Khan, wrote Sholay.

Who won Bigg Boss Season 19?

Gaurav Khanna was crowned the winner of Bigg Boss 19 on December 7, 2025, though the night was largely overshadowed by the emotional tribute to Dharmendra.