Hema Malini’s father was furious and nearly pushed Dharmendra out of the house.
‘Leave my daughter’s life! You’re married; you can’t marry her,’ he shouted repeatedly.
However, Dharmendra, emotional and slightly intoxicated, refused to leave.
IMAGE: Hema Malini and Dharmendra in Raja Jani.
During her youth, Hema Malini had many admirers, but Dharmendra won her heart and eventually married her.
On Dharmendra’s 90th birthday, December 8, we explore Hema Malini’s biography, Hema Malini: Beyond The Dream Girl, by Ram Kamal Mukherjee, to understand her relationship with Dharmendra and their marriage in 1980.
IMAGE: Hema Malini and Sanjeev Kumar in Seeta Aur Geeta.
A close friend noted that marrying Dharmendra was the only time Hema defied her parents.
Until then, her mother was her most trusted confidante.
The details of Hema’s involvement with Sanjeev Kumar remain largely unknown, even to her family.
In a 1974 Stardust interview, Hema shared, ‘I always confide in my mom. I never lied to her.’
‘Even during my involvement with Sanjeev Kumar, I didn’t hide it from her. She wasn’t the reason for our breakup, which involved personal issues.’
IMAGE: Hema Malini and Dharmendra in Tum Haseen Main Jawaan.
Hema and Dharmendra were deeply in love, but Hema kept it hidden from her parents.
When her mother discovered it, she was furious, but Hema continued to meet Dharmendra secretly.
She once vanished for a day, shocking her family.
Upon her return, they were too relieved to scold her, but her mother increased her vigilance.
The couple had to confine their meetings to film sets due to their frequent collaborations.
IMAGE: Jeetendra and Hema Malini in Khushboo.
Hema’s mother believed marriage was the solution and considered Jeetendra.
Hema and Jeetendra were working on films like Dulhan and Khushboo and had a good rapport.
Jeetendra had feelings for Hema, but they became friends when she showed no romantic interest.
Although their friendship was platonic, Dharmendra was uneasy about it.
He once confronted Hema on set, dragging her away in anger.
IMAGE: Hema Malini with her mother Jaya Chakravarthy. Photograph: Courtesy Hema Malini/Instagram
Jaya sought to arrange a marriage between Hema and Jeetendra, persuading Hema to meet his family.
Jeetendra’s family was thrilled about the potential union.
Jeetendra once remarked, ‘I don’t want to marry Hema; we’re not in love, but my family desires it.’
The marriage was planned as a quick and discreet affair.
Hema, Jeetendra, and their families went to Madras for the wedding.
An evening newspaper got wind of the story, publishing it as a headline.
IMAGE: Hema Malini with Dharmendra. Photograph: Courtesy Hema Malini/Instagram
The news shocked the industry and caught Dharmendra off guard.
He quickly traveled to Madras with Jeetendra’s then-girlfriend, Shobha Sippy, to intervene.
At Hema’s house, tensions were high.
Hema’s father confronted Dharmendra, demanding he leave.
Nevertheless, Dharmendra insisted on speaking with Hema privately, while others waited anxiously outside.
Excerpt from Hema Malini: Beyond The Dream Girl, an authorized biography by Ram Kamal Mukherjee, published by Harper Collins India.
Photographs curated by Satish Bodas/Rediff
