Hema Malini life and biography

Known as the Dream girl of Bollywood, Hema Malini is a renowned actress, dancer, director, film producer and a politician. One of the leading ladies of Indian cinema, Hema Mailni has appeared in around one hundred fifty films and given phenomenal performances in commercial as well as parallel cinema ventures. The tremendously talented femme fatal actress was the representative of Bharatiya Janata Party in the Rajya Sabha, the upper House of parliament during 2003-2009.

Hema Malini was born on 16th October 1948 in Ammankudi, Tamil Nadu to father V.S.R. Chakravarty and film producer mother Jaya Chakravarthy. Hema Malini attended the Chennai-based Andhra Mahila Sabha. A well trained classical dancer, Hema Malini performed a dance act in 1961 release Telugu film 'Pandava Vanavasam'.

Hema Malini failed at her first attempt in acting when she was rejected by Tamil director Sridhar on the ground that she did not possess any star appeal. Hema Malini made her bollywood debut alongside the legendary Raj Kappor in 1968 film 'Sapnon Ka Saudagar'. Her next film, 'Johny Mera Naam', opposite Dev Anand consolidated her position as a star.

The dazzling diva featured in a number of commercially and critically successful films like 'Seeta Aur Geeta' alongside Dharmendra and Sanjeev Kumar, 'Sholay', 'Charas', 'The Burning Train', 'Trishul', 'Joshila', 'Lal Patthar', 'Meera', 'Khushboo' and 'Kinara'.

Hema Malini married co-actor Dharmendra also known as the He-Man of Bollywood in the year 1980. The two have appeared together in super hit films like 'Seeta Aur Geeta', 'Sholay', 'Dreamgirl', 'Charas' and 'The Burning Train'. The lovely lady was also proposed by Bollywood superstars Sanjeev Kumar and Jeetendra. Dharmendra was already married to Prakash Kaur who refused to divorce him and therefore Dharmendra and Hema converted to Islam and got married. Dharmendra and Prakash Kaur's sons Sunny Deol and Bobby Deol are popular bollywood actors.

Dharmendra and Hema Malini are blessed with two daughters Esha and Ahana. A devoted Bharatanatyam artiste, Hema Malini taught her daughters the classical Indian dance forms and the three of them have performed together at a number of charity events. Esha Deol is a well known bollywood actress while Ahana is working as an assistant director to Sanjay Leela Bhansali in his forthcoming film 'Guzarish' starring Hrithik Roshan and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan.

Hema Malini has incredibly portrayed a diverse array of characters in different genres of cinema. Her comic timing and phenomenal dance performances are still considered as unparalleled. Hema Malini ventured into direction with 1992 release 'Dil Aashna Hai' starring Shahrukh Khan and late Divya Bharti in the leading roles. She was seen in the popular television show 'Noopur', a story about a Bharatanatyam dancer going to America. 'Noopur' was directed by Hema Malini.

Hema Malini has been active in Hindi films for last forty years and has lately been seen in Ravi Chopra's "Baaghban" and "Baabul" and Yash Chopra's love saga "Veer Zaara" opposite Amitabh Bachchan. Hema Malini and Amitabh Bachchan received the Jodi No. 1 award at Star Screen and Sports World's awards. Moreover Hema Malini was named as the Most Sensational Actress for Baghban at Bollywood Movie Awards.

Hema Malini received the fourth highest civilian award Padma Shri from the Government of India in the year 2000. Federation of Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry conferred upon her the "Living Legend Award" for her contribution to the Indian entertainment industry. Several of her films were screened at the 2007 Bangkok International Film Festival as a special tribute to the versatile actress.

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