Hema Malini Biography

A trained Bharat Natyam dancer, Hema Malini began her film career opposite Raj Kapoor in Sapnon Ka Saudagar (1968) where she became labeled the "Dream Girl". She had a glorious reign as a leading actress during the 70's, even winning the Filmfare Best Actress award for Seeta Aur Geeta (1972), but in the early 80's, she decided to concentrate on 'character' roles, often those with feminist undertones.

Both actors Jeetendra and Sanjeev Kumar proposed marriage to Hema, but it was Dharmendra, with whom she formed a hugely successful on-screen couple, that won her hand in the end. She defied the conventional norm at the time by becoming his second wife and continuing to work after having children.Mother of Ahana and Esha Deol, step-mother of Bobby and Sunny Deol, Hema Malini was awarded the 'Padma Bhushan' in 1999 for her contribution to Indian Cinema.