Friends, a few weeks back I concluded my series of weekend blogs on the Bollywood actresses who made their debut in the late 1950s and early 1960s, and ruled Bollywood. Today, I am writing about an actress who made her debut in the late 1960s and became one of the biggest stars of Bollywood. You will recognise her immediately if I tell you she was known as ‘Dream Girl’. Yes, you have guessed it right, I am talking about HEMA MALINI.
Few actresses in Bollywood have enjoyed the extraordinary combination of beauty, grace, talent, longevity and public appeal that she has. She was born on 16th October, 1948 in Tamil Nadu. From an early age she started learning Bharatanatyam and became proficient in it.
Her career breakthrough came with a film called ‘Sapno Ka Saudagar’ (1968), in which she was paired opposite Raj Kapoor. Her breakthrough into major stardom came during the early 1970s. Films such as ‘Johnny Mera Naam’ (1970), Andaz (19710) and Lal Pathar (1971) established her as one of Bollywood’s leading actresses.
Hema possessed a distinctive combination of: Classical beauty, graceful dancing, screen confidence, expressive eyes, elegant mannerisms, good dialogue delivery, and an ability to portray both traditional and modern characters.
A landmark film in Hema Malini’s career was ‘Seeta Aur Geeta’ (1972). The film required her to play two contrasting characters. Seeta was shy, submissive and emotionally vulnerable, while Geeta was confident, outspoken and physically assertive. Her performance remains one of the strongest examples of an actress carrying a Hindi film through a dual role.
One of the most discussed relationships in Bollywood history has been Hema Malini’s relationship with actor Dharmendra. Their on-screen chemistry became enormously popular. Among their notable films were ‘Sholay’, ‘Seeta Aur Geeta’ ‘Naya Zamana ’, ‘Raja Jani’, ‘Pratigya’, ‘Jugnu and many more. Although Dharmendra was already married, He married Hema Malini after converting to another religion.
Basanti: the character she portrayed in Sholay became immortal. If Hema Malini’s career had to be represented by one character, it would be Basanti of Sholay. Directed by Ramesh Sippy, this film became one of the biggest landmarks of Indian cinema. She played Basanti, the talkative, energetic and fearless tonga driver. The character was dramatically different from the sophisticated image associated with the ‘Dream Girl’.
During her peak years, she worked with virtually all the male stars of her generation. She was paired with Raj Kapoor, Dev Anand, Shammi Kapoor, Shashi Kapoor, Jeetendra, Amitabh Bachchan, Dharmendra, Sanjeev Kumar and Rajesh Khanna, among others..
She married Dharmendra in 1980, and they have two daughters, Esha Deol and Ahana Deol.
In the later years of her life, she concentrated more of dancing and presented her stage shows all over the world.
Her transition from film to politics was another important chapter of her public life. She joined BJP and entered parliament as Lok Sabha member.
In a filmy career spanning more than 5 decades, she acted in about 200 films; her other notable films are Abhinetri, Sharafat, Naya Zamana, Shareef Badmash, Amir Garib, Prem Nagar, Sanyasi, Dharmatma, Khushboo, Kinara, Dream Girl, Trishul, Meera, Kudrat, Kranti, Satte Pe Satta, Razia Sultan, and many more.
Here are my favourite Songs picturised on her, with their YouTube links:
1 Sharafat Chod Di Maine– Sharafat 1970 (Film-F), Lata Mangeshkar (Singer-S), Anand Bakshi (Lyricist-L), Laxmikant Pyarelal (Music Director-MD).
https://youtu.be/LSwaMMvX3l8?si=YO7f-XYRuLC4NfRx
2 O Babul Pyaare, Roye Payal Ki Chamcham– Johnny Mera Naam 1970 (F), Lata Mangeshkar (S), Indeevar (L), Kalyanji Anandji (MD).
https://youtu.be/nOru3DwJnrU?si=bZMOhdNr-sAnxflF
3 Kitne Din Aankhen Tarsengi– Naya Zamana 1971 (F), Lata Mangeshkar (S), Anand Bakshi (L), SD Burman (MD)
https://youtu.be/fY4V6XdIfNU?si=-NOHVcp5NhOj9Dp1
4 Hawa Ke Saath Saath, Ghata Ke Sang Sang– Seeta Aur Geeta 1972 (F),.Asha Bhosle & Kishore Kumar (S), Anand Bakshi (L), RD Burman (MD). On Screen with Sanjeevumar.
https://youtu.be/0kgWc3Lkqvo?si=VBF5UhKlALSDca6S
5 Dil Mein Jo Baatein Hain, Chalo Aaj.. Joshila 1973 (F),. Asha Bhosle, Kishore Kumar (S), Sahir Ludhianvi (L), RD Burman (MD). On Screen with Dev Anand.
https://youtu.be/v3uBgiq196E?si=fH2NaPeYRX6V4m0b
6 Chal Sanyasi Mandi Mein-Sanyasi 1975 (F). Lata Mangeshkar & Mukesh (S), Vishveshwar Sharma (L), Shankar Jaikishan (MD). On Screen with Manoj Kumar.
7 Kya Khhob Lagti Ho, Badi Sundar Dikhti Ho– Dharmatma 1975 (F). Kanchan & Mukesh (S), Indeevar (L), Kalyanji Anandji(MD). On Screen with Feroze Khan.
https://youtu.be/47qE1dlDIAg?si=wOsZwaiepYe1VGmv
8 Jab Tak hai Jaan, Jaane Jahan Main Naachoongi -Sholay 1975 (F). Lata Mangeshkar (S), Anand Bakshi (L), RD Burman (MD)
https://youtu.be/5mGfoHptxG4?si=qNTLL91Mmrvxr-iY
9 Kal Ki Hassen Mulakat Ke Liye– Charas 1976 (F). Lata Mangeshkar & Kishore Kumar (S), Anand Bakshi (L), Laxmikant Pyarelal (MD). On screen with Dharmendra.
10 Parbat ke Peeche Chambe Da Gaon– Mehbooba 1976 (F), Lata Mangeshkar & Kishore Kumar (S), Anand bakshi (L), RD Burman (MD). On Screen with Rajesh Khanna.
https://youtu.be/jGBYZw1eZho?si=Wuee7Mr2i_ir0NCp
11 Mohabbat Bade kaam Ki Cheez Hai– Trishul 1978 (F), Lata Mangeshkar, Yesudas, & Kishore Kumar (S), Sahir Ludhianvi (L), Khayyam (MD). On Screen with Shashi Kapoor & Amitabh Bachchan.
https://youtu.be/VqxQZbFLkAY?si=OpzmTidWR9GuHA6S
12 Zindagi Ki Na Toote Ladi– Kranti 1981 (F), Lata Mangeshkar 7 Nitin Mukesh (S), Santosh Anand (L), Laxmikant Pyarelal (MD). On Screen with Manoj Kumar.
https://youtu.be/VsRcES6sfi8?si=37PvUZv-vTsLJmDM
13Tune O Rangeele Kaisa Jadoo kiya– Kudrat 1981 (F). Lata Mangeshkar (S), Majrooh Sultanpuri (L), RD Burman (MD).
https://youtu.be/p8SWgDtWfK0?si=SMETE5dnx1p7pkYh
14 Jhuka Ke Palkon Ko Bolo… Bolo I Love You– Satta Pe Satta 1982 (F). Asha Bhosle, & Sapan Chakravorty (S), Gulshan Bawra (L), RD Burman (MD). On Screen with Paintal, Sachin, Sudhir & others.
https://youtu.be/kmYcVusiYgo?si=Avgi3zDPzMlgy95E
15 Ae Dil e Naadan– Razia Sultan 1983 (F), Lata Mangeshkar (S), Jaan Nissar Akhtar (L), Khayyam (MD)
https://youtu.be/-cSEGrYJPhM?si=XR20pqomey3nC2Je
Anil Malik
Mumbai, India
7th August 2026