Hema Malini is Still Bollywood's Dream Girl at 67

Bollywood's original Dream Girl Hema Malini is a year older today. The actress, who is the BJP MP from Mathura, has had an eventful year with her younger daughter Ahana's wedding and hectic campaigning for the Lok Sabha General Elections. On this special day, we take you on a pictorial tour, giving you a glimpse of her journey.

  • Bollywood's original Dream Girl Hema Malini is a year older today. The actress, who is the BJP MP from Mathura, has had an eventful year with her younger daughter Ahana's wedding and hectic campaigning for the Lok Sabha General Elections.<br><br> On this special day, we take you on a pictorial tour, giving you a glimpse of her journey.
    Bollywood's original Dream Girl Hema Malini is a year older today. The actress, who is the BJP MP from Mathura, has had an eventful year with her younger daughter Ahana's wedding and hectic campaigning for the Lok Sabha General Elections.

    On this special day, we take you on a pictorial tour, giving you a glimpse of her journey.
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  • Hema Malini was born to a Tamil Iyengar family in Tiruchirapalli on October 16, 1948. Her mother, Jaya Chakravarthy, was a film producer. Hema Malini has two elder brothers.<br><br> School held little interest for the young Hema and she dropped out even before finishing tenth grade to become an actress.
    Hema Malini was born to a Tamil Iyengar family in Tiruchirapalli on October 16, 1948. Her mother, Jaya Chakravarthy, was a film producer. Hema Malini has two elder brothers.

    School held little interest for the young Hema and she dropped out even before finishing tenth grade to become an actress.
  • Hema Malini first appeared as a dancer in the 1961 Telugu film <i>Pandava Vanavasam</i>.
    Hema Malini first appeared as a dancer in the 1961 Telugu film Pandava Vanavasam.
  • She made her Bollywood debut with the 1968 movie <i>Sapnon Ka Saudagar</i>, which also featured actor Raj Kapoor. <br><br> Hema Malini was promoted as the <i>Dream Girl</i> from the very start and that tag has stuck with her since.
    She made her Bollywood debut with the 1968 movie Sapnon Ka Saudagar, which also featured actor Raj Kapoor.

    Hema Malini was promoted as the Dream Girl from the very start and that tag has stuck with her since.
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  • Hema Malini was cast in a pivotal role in <i>Johnny Mera Naam</i> (1970), which went on to become a hit at the box office. <br><br> She began taking on challenging roles that many of her contemporaries refused.
    Hema Malini was cast in a pivotal role in Johnny Mera Naam (1970), which went on to become a hit at the box office.

    She began taking on challenging roles that many of her contemporaries refused.
  • Among her most successful movies was the blockbuster <i>Seeta Aur Geeta</i> (1972), in which she played a double role opposite Dharmendra and Sanjeev Kumar.
    Among her most successful movies was the blockbuster Seeta Aur Geeta (1972), in which she played a double role opposite Dharmendra and Sanjeev Kumar.
  • In 1975, Hema Malini made Bollywood history as part of the cast of landmark film <i>Sholay</i>, playing feisty <i>tangewaali</i> Basanti. She also left a lasting impression on the audience with her performance in movies like <i>Trishul</i> (1978), <i>Naseeb</i> (1981), and <i>Razia Sultan</i> (1983).
    In 1975, Hema Malini made Bollywood history as part of the cast of landmark film Sholay, playing feisty tangewaali Basanti. She also left a lasting impression on the audience with her performance in movies like Trishul (1978), Naseeb (1981), and Razia Sultan (1983).
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  • <i>Sholay</i> was also a landmark in the famed Hema-Dharmendra love story. The couple married in 1980.
    Sholay was also a landmark in the famed Hema-Dharmendra love story. The couple married in 1980.
  • The couple have two daughters - Esha and Ahana Deol.<br><br> Esha is a Bollywood actress who is married to businessman Bharat Takhtani, while Ahana is an Odissi dancer.
    The couple have two daughters - Esha and Ahana Deol.

    Esha is a Bollywood actress who is married to businessman Bharat Takhtani, while Ahana is an Odissi dancer.
  • Marriage did not slow down Hema Malini's career and she appeared in some of her biggest hits - <i>Kranti</i> (1981) and <i>Satte Pe Satta</i> (1982) - after becoming Mrs Dharmendra.<br><br> Dharmendra and Hema Malini were paired opposite each other in films like <i>Jugnu</i> (1973), <i>Dream Girl</i> (1977), <i>Alibaba Aur 40 Chor</i> (1980), <i>Baghavat</i> (1982) and <i>Razia Sultan</i> (1983).
    Marriage did not slow down Hema Malini's career and she appeared in some of her biggest hits - Kranti (1981) and Satte Pe Satta (1982) - after becoming Mrs Dharmendra.

    Dharmendra and Hema Malini were paired opposite each other in films like Jugnu (1973), Dream Girl (1977), Alibaba Aur 40 Chor (1980), Baghavat (1982) and Razia Sultan (1983).
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  • Hema Malini also directed a film - <i>Dil Aashna Hai</i>, starring Divya Bharti and a very young Shah Rukh Khan - which was a flop. After this, she chose to concentrate on her dance commitments.
    Hema Malini also directed a film - Dil Aashna Hai, starring Divya Bharti and a very young Shah Rukh Khan - which was a flop. After this, she chose to concentrate on her dance commitments.
  • Hema Malini was awarded the Padma Bhushan in 1999 for her contribution to Indian cinema.
    Hema Malini was awarded the Padma Bhushan in 1999 for her contribution to Indian cinema.
  • In 2003, she was nominated to the Rajya Sabha. She formally joined the BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) in 2004.
    In 2003, she was nominated to the Rajya Sabha. She formally joined the BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) in 2004.
  • Hema Malini is well-known for her classical dance performances, usually featuring both her daughters.
    Hema Malini is well-known for her classical dance performances, usually featuring both her daughters.
  • In 2003, Hema Malini made a comeback in <i>Baghban</i>, opposite co-star of old Amitabh Bachchan. She also had a cameo in Yash Chopra's <i>Veer-Zaara</i> (2004).
    In 2003, Hema Malini made a comeback in Baghban, opposite co-star of old Amitabh Bachchan. She also had a cameo in Yash Chopra's Veer-Zaara (2004).
  • She was last seen in <i>Tell Me O Khuda</i> in 2011.<br><br> We wish Hema Malini a very happy birthday and a successful year ahead.
    She was last seen in Tell Me O Khuda in 2011.

    We wish Hema Malini a very happy birthday and a successful year ahead.