Hema Malini
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| Hema Malini in 2025 | |
| Born | 16 October 1948 (age 77) Ammankudi, Madras Province, India (now Tamil Nadu) |
|---|---|
| Nationality | Indian |
| Education | Andhra Mahila Sabha, Chennai |
| Alma mater | DTEA Mandir Marg |
| Occupation | Actress, Dancer, Politician, Director, Producer |
| Years active | 1961–present |
| Known for | Sholay, Seeta Aur Geeta, Baghban |
| Notable works | Seeta Aur Geeta, Sholay, Dream Girl, Baghban |
| Awards | Padma Shri (2000) Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award (1999) |
| Spouse(s) | Dharmendra (m.1980) |
| Parents | Jaya Lakshmi (mother) VSR Chakravarti Iyengar (father) |
| Religion | Hinduism |
| Website | See below |
Hema Malini is an Indian actress, filmmaker, and politician. Since 2014, she has represented the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) as a member of parliament from Mathura. She was previously a member of the Rajya Sabha from 2003 until 2012. Known as Bollywood's "Dream Girl," she went on to become one of the most well-liked and prosperous actresses in Hindi cinema, appearing in both dramatic and comedic roles.
Idhu Sathiyam (1963), a Tamil film, marked the start of her career, while Sapno Ka Saudagar (1968) gave her her first major role. In numerous popular movies, she frequently costarred with Dharmendra, whom she wed in 1980. She received the Filmfare Award for Best Actress for her role in Seeta Aur Geeta (1972). Later on, she was given a special honor for 50 years in the film industry as well as the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement honor.
Hema Malini was honoured with the Padma Shri in 2000 and has received several other awards for her contribution to Indian cinema and culture. She has also been active in social and charitable work and is a life member of ISKCON.
Early Life & Education
Hema Malini was born on 16 October 1948 in a Tamil Iyengar Brahmin family to Jaya Lakshmi and VSR Chakravarti Iyengar in Ammankudi, Madras Province (now Tamil Nadu). Before beginning her acting career, she completed her education up to the eleventh grade at DTEA Mandir Marg School and Andhra Mahila Sabha in Chennai. She is a Hindu.
Tum Haseen Main Jawaan (1970), her first movie with Dharmendra, marked the beginning of their romance. In 1980, the two got married. Actors Sunny Deol and Bobby Deol were among Dharmendra's four children from his first marriage. Esha Deol and Ahana Deol are the two daughters of Hema Malini and Dharmendra.
Career
Hema Malini began her career with small roles in Pandava Vanavasam (1965) and Idhu Sathiyam (1962). She became well-known after being paired with Raj Kapoor in the 1968 film Sapno Ka Saudagar, which became her Bollywood's "Dream Girl." With hits like Johny Mera Naam (1970), Andaz (1971), Lal Patthar (1971), and the blockbuster Seeta Aur Geeta (1972), for which she won the Filmfare Award for Best Actress, she established herself as a major actress during the 1970s. She later starred in numerous popular movies, such as Sanyasi, Dharmatma, Pratigya, Sholay, and Trishul. She also collaborated with Rajesh Khanna on a number of noteworthy projects and Dharmendra on 28 films.
With big singles like Kranti, Naseeb, Satte Pe Satta, and Rajput, Malini maintained her economic success in the 1980s. She starred in powerful heroine-focused movies like Aandhi Toofan, Durgaa, Ramkali, Ek Chadar Maili Si, and Rihaee even after she became a mother. During this time, she also frequently worked with Rajesh Khanna and Dharmendra.
Later, Malini increased the scope of her work behind the camera by producing and directing Mohini (1995) and Dil Aashna Hai (1992). After that, she turned her attention to dance and television, making sporadic appearances in movies like Himalay Putra (1997). Baghban (2003) marked her significant return, and she went on to play parts in Veer-Zaara (2004), Baabul (2006), Laaga Chunari Mein Daag (2007), Sadiyaan (2010), and Tell Me O Kkhuda (2011). She later made appearances in Shimla Mirchi (2020) and Ek Thi Rani Aisi Bhi (2017). In 2021, she received the Indian Film Personality of the Year Award at the International Film Festival of India.
Political Career
Hema Malini got involved in politics for the first time in 1999 when she supported actor and BJP candidate Vinod Khanna in the Lok Sabha elections. In 2004, she formally became a member of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam nominated her to serve in the Rajya Sabha from 2003 to 2009. Later, in 2010, she was named the BJP's general secretary.
Malini defeated Jayant Chaudhary by a wide margin in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections for the Mathura constituency. In 2019, she defeated Kunwar Narendra Singh by around 3 lakh votes to win the Mathura seat once more. She defeated Congress contender Mukesh Dhanger by a wide margin in 2024 to win Mathura for the third time in a row.
Other Works
Dance
Hema Malini is a Bharatanatyam dancer with training. Her daughters Esha and Ahana have received training in Odissi, and the three of them have performed at several philanthropic events in the theatrical show Parampara. Additionally, they shared the stage at the Khajuraho Dance Festival.
Malini acquired Mohiniattam from Kalamandalam Guru Gopalakrishnan and Kuchipudi from Vempati Chinna Satyam. She has acted in a number of dance dramas like Narasimha, Rama, Sati, Parvati, and Durga. She portrayed Sita in a unique Ramayana theater production for the opening of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya in 2024.
The Natya Vihar Kalakendra dance school is operated by her. The Maharashtra government told the court in a 2016 PIL that Malini had not taken the land provided for her dancing institution.
Television
Hema Malini has directed and produced several Doordarshan serials, including Terah Panneh, Rani Laxmibai, Bharti, and Noopur. Rangoli has also been hosted by her on Doordarshan.
She performed in films like as Kamini Damini, where she portrayed twin sisters, and Jai Mata Ki (1999), where she played Goddess Durga. She also appeared in the television series Yug, which was inspired on India's struggle for independence.
Artistry
Hema Malini is regarded as one of the finest actresses of Hindi cinema, known for her versatility, dance skills, beauty, and iconic screen presence. She frequently topped Box Office India's "Top Actresses" list and was one of the highest-paid actresses of the 1970s and early 1980s.
Her parts in Bollywood's most renowned films, like Sholay and Seeta Aur Geeta, are often cited. She has continuously been listed as one of the greatest actresses of all time by Filmfare, Rediff, Outlook India, and other publications. Her style has also received a lot of praise, particularly her polka-dot blouses from the 1970s.
Legacy
Hema Malini is widely recognized as Bollywood’s “Dream Girl”, a title that became part of her cultural identity. Her on-screen persona, charm, grace, and enduring impact on Indian cinema have all been commended by critics. She is regarded as a style icon, a trailblazer for women in mainstream film, and an inspiration to several actresses.
The FICCI Living Legend Award, ANR National Award, Rajinikanth Legend Award, and international accolades for her worldwide presence are just a few of the awards she has received.
Numerous publications, such as Diva Unveiled (2005), Hema Malini: The Authorized Biography (2007), and Beyond the Dream Girl (2017), have detailed her life and career.
Notable Works
Malini's collection of work includes theatrical shows, dance, film, and television. She is regarded as one of the most varied and significant actresses in Hindi cinema thanks to her memorable parts in Sholay, Seeta Aur Geeta, Dream Girl, Satte Pe Satta, Jugnu, Khushboo, and Meera. Her reputation as a skilled classical dancer was further enhanced by her appearances at prestigious events like the Khajuraho Dance Festival and her critically praised dance creations like Parampara. Her varied artistic portfolio was further enhanced by her television directing and production endeavors, such as Noopur, Kamini Damini, and Jai Mata Ki.
Achievements and Recognition
Malini has received widespread acclaim throughout her career and is regarded as one of Indian cinema’s finest performers. Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, she repeatedly topped Box Office India's "Top Actress" list. Filmfare, Rediff.com, Outlook India, and other media sources have ranked her among the "greatest actresses." Prestigious honors including the ANR National Award, the Rajiv Gandhi Award, and the Rajinikanth Legend Award have been given to her. She received recognition on a global scale as the Asian Achievers Awards' "International Personality of the Year." A special retrospective at the 2007 Bangkok International Film Festival and several published books detailing her career and cultural influence are examples of tributes to her legacy.