New Delhi: They are as different as chalk and cheese. He, a true blue Punjabi jaat and she, a conservative Tamil Brahmi Iyengar. Yet, Dharmendra and Hema Malini’s is one of the most epic romances of Bollywood, with their marriage going strong for nearly four decades.
Theirs was the most unconventional marriage, with Sunny Deol (Dharmendra’s eldest son with first wife Parkash Kaur) being only a few years younger than Hema) and the actress 13 years younger than the jaat.
At 73 years of age, the veteran actress is as elegant and graceful as always. It’s the Dream Girl’s birthday today. Let’s take a look at her love and life.
Hema Malini started her career in Tamil cinema but it was Bollywood that gave her recognition with Sapnon Ka Saudagar. The list of hits she delivered thereafter is too well known.
Although both Sanjeev Kumar and Jeetendra saw a bride for themselves in Hema Malini, it is Garam Dharam who stole her heart during the making of the 1970 film ‘Tum Haseen Main Jawan’. They are said to have started dating around the time of the making of ‘Sholay’ their all-time hit together in 1975.
The He-Man was hell-bent on marrying her. Both sides of the family were opposed to the match with Dharmendra being a much married man having four children. No one knows whether his first wife refused to divorce him or it was he himself who wanted a second marriage without calling off the first.
After weathering all the storms, Hema and Dharmendra finally got married in 1980 as per Iyengar tradition and the rest is history.
Both continue to be together with a healthy respect for each other and all the children. Their two daughters, Esha and Aahana are happily married now.
