Hema Malini: Hema Malini was the second South Indian actress after Vyjayanthimala to be a major Hindi film star. At her peak she wielded such strong commercial clout that actors like Dev Anand and Rajesh Khanna had to turn to her to give them that much wanted hit. When Dev Anand’s films in the 70s particularly those with Zeenat Aman crashed, Amir Garib (1974) with Hema Malini was a hit. When Rajesh Khanna’s films started sinking, her Prem Nagar(1974) with him gave him a new lease of life, albeit temporarily.
Birthday: October 16, 1948 in Ammankudi, Tamil Nadu.
Spouse: Dharmendra.
Debut Film: Sapnon Ka Saudagar (1968).
Major Impact: Waaris (1969).
Successful Films: Johnny Mera Naam (1970), Lal Patthar (1971), Andaaz (1971), Seeta aur Geeta (1972), Raja Jani (1972), Jugnu (1973), Sholay (1975), Khushboo (1975), Charas (1976), Kinara (1977), Trishul (1978), Meera (1979), The Burning Train (1980), Satte Pe Satta (1982), Rihaee (1988), Joshila, Baghban (2003), Veer Zaara (2004).
Awards: Winner of the Filmfare Best Actress Award for Seeta Aur Geeta and also winner of the Padma Bhushan in 1999.
Facts we didn’t know:
Hema Malini’s full name is Hema Malini R. Chakravarty.
Her dad’s name is V.S.R. Chakravarthy and her mom, Jaya, was a film producer. She was enrolled in the Chennai-based Andhra Mahila Sabha.
Ironically, Hema’s career almost ended before it began. Her first director threw her out of a Tamil film he was directing, saying she had no star appeal. Hema resolved she would make it big where it mattered the most: Bollywood.
In the book “Hema Malini: The Authorized Biography,” (2007) she revealed that 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.
Set up a Natya Vihar Kalakendra, an institution dedicated to create, spread and present the age old Indian mythological themes from the epics like Ramayana, Mahabharata and other ancient scriptures through the medium of dance.
Served as Chairperson of the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC) from 2000-03.
Converted to Islam, changed her name to Aisha Bi R. Chakravarty, and married Dilawar Khan Kewal Krishn Deol alias Dharmendra on August 21, 1979.
Hema Malini’s niece is actress Madhoo who had starred in two big hits Phool Aur Kaante (1991) and Roja.
