- Born
- Birth nameHema Malini R. Chakravarty
- Nickname
- Dream Girl
- Height5′ 6¼″ (1.68 m)
- Hema was born in the Tamil-speaking Chakravarthy household on October 16, 1948 in Ammankudi, Tamil Nadu. 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.
After performing as a dancer in a 1961 regional movie, she was rejected by Tamil Director, C.V.Sridhar, during 1964 when she first attempted to act, on the grounds that she was too thin to be heroine in Venniradai and the role went to Venniradai Nirmala. Later Hema performed in the song Singara Therukku Selai sung by Seergazhi Govindrajan and L.R.Eshwari as a supporting actor from the 1963 Tamil film Idhu Sathiyam starring S.A.Asokan as the hero. But Hema persisted, debuted opposite Raj Kapoor in 'Sapnon Ka Saudagar' just 4 years after her rejection but the movie was a flop.
Thereafter there has no been looking back for this attractive Libran, who went to star in close to 155 movies; who also produced and directed two movies, and also directed a TV serial 'Noopur'.
After turning down marriage proposals from Sanjeev Kumar and Jeetendra, she met with hot fellow actor, Dharmendra, both were attracted to each other and wanted to get married. Dharmendra, who was already married to Prakash Kaur, and had two sons, Sunny and Bobby, could not marry Hema as Prakash refused to divorce him. According to the Hindu Marriage Act, a Hindu cannot marry a second time while the first wife is still alive. Dharmendra belongs to a Arya Samaj Hindu Punjabi Jatt family.
She had a hit on-screen pairing with Dharmendra, Shashi Kapoor and Dev Anand in the 70's and, post-marriage, she had 8 hits opposite Rajesh Khanna in 1980-87. Dharmendra Hema Malini were paired in lead roles romantically in 31 films but have worked in 35 films. Of them 20 were hits and 15 were flops. Interestingly Rajesh Khanna-Hema Malini pair had 2 hits in early 70's and then 3 unfortunate flops in late 70's after which pair was written off but in eighties they gave 8 blockbusters as a pair. In all Hema has 10 hits with Rajesh Khanna.
On August 21, 1979, both Hema and Dharmendra converted to Islam, changed their names to Aisha Bi R. Chakravarty and Dilawar Khan Kewal Krishn respectively, and got married in accordance with Islamic rites. Three years after their marriage, Hema subsequently gave birth to Esha and then later to Ahana. Esha is an actress in her own rights. The trio, well proficient in the arts of Bharatnatyam dance form, have performed together at a number of dance events and concerts.
Hema is a member of the right-winged Bharatiya Janata Party, and became a member of the Rajya Sabha, the upper house of the Indian Parliament.
She was amongst the first actresses to wear bell-bottom and shirts in Hindi movies, and is also amongst the few who have kept their word of not wearing any revealing outfits in public. Hema, who is also called 'Dream Girl' continues to act in movies as of 2013.- IMDb Mini Biography By: rAjOo
- SpouseDharmendra(May 2, 1980 - present) (2 children)
- Children
- ParentsV.S.R. Chakravarthy
- RelativesR.J. Chakravarti(Sibling)R.K. Chakravarti(Sibling)Suchi Chakravarti(Niece or Nephew)Madhoo(Cousin)Madhoo(Cousin)
- Only for purposes of marriage, she converted to Islam, changed her name to Aisha Bi R. Chakravarty, and dharmendra converted his name into Dilawar Khan. They married on August 21, 1979.
- Hema Malini began her Hindi film career opposite Raj Kapoor in Sapnon Ka Saudagar (1968) where she became labeled the "Dream Girl" which was a promotion strategy to promote the film however sapnoan ka saudagar was a flop. She had a glorious reign as a leading actress during the 1970-85. She had 18 hits and 15 flops opposite dharmendra. She had 5 hits of 10 films she did with shashi Kapoor fron 1969-87. She had 10 hits opposite Rajesh Kannan of 15 films from 1971-91. She won the Filmfare Best Actress award for Seeta Aur Geeta (1972), but in the early 80's, her only hits were opposite Rajesh Khanna where she had 8 hits opposite rajesh after her marriage and later she decided to concentrate on 'character' roles, often those with feminist undertones.
- 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.
- The 5th Tamil speaking actress after Anjali Devi, Vyjayanthimala, Padmini, Waheedha Rehmaan to become a major Hindi film star. Ironically, Hema's career almost ended before it began. She worked as background dancer in 2 Tamil films in 1963. C.V.Shridhar, director threw her out of the Tamil film Veniradai he was directing, saying she was too thin. The role which Hema was given was the role which was subsequently done by Venidradai Nirmala. Then made her debut only in 1968 in Hindi.
- Hema Malini was awarded the 'Padma Bhushan' in 1999 for her contribution to Indian Cinema.
- My interest was dance and, in the beginning, I didn't enjoy acting at all. It was my mother who brought me into films and who looked after my career. I remember each time a producer came to meet her, my only reaction was, 'Oh God, another year of my life gone.'
- I became famous with audiences and various producers thanks to Jhony Mera Naam and Andaz. I remember how difficult it was to shoot for the song Zinagi Ek Safar Hai Suhana because Kaka's fans would turn up in heavy numbers wherever he went. I am very lucky to have done 15 films with the superstar and to have 10 commercial hits with him.
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