When Hema Malini Spoke About Her Marriage With Dharmendra: 'Accusations Were Flung At Us, All I Wanted Was Happiness'

The ‘Dream Girl’ of Bollywood’s love story with Dharmendra is well known but like any real-life love story, it came with challenges. Dharmendra was already married to Prakash Kaur.

Hema Malini birthday: Hema Malini, the timeless beauty of Indian cinema, celebrates her birthday today. The ‘Dream Girl’ of Bollywood’s love story with Dharmendra is well known but like any real-life love story, it came with challenges. Dharmendra was already married to Prakash Kaur and a father of four at the time. In her biography, the actor spoke about her decision of living seperately. Hema Malini: Beyond the Dream Girl, “I didn’t want to disturb anyone. I am happy with whatever Dharamji did for me and my daughters,” she said in her biography ‘Hema Malini: Beyond the Dream Girl.’ 

Hema and Dharmendra first met on the set of 'Tu Haseen Main Jawan' in 1970, and for Hema, it was clear from the start that if she were to marry, it would be to someone like him. Hema was labeled the “other woman” in Dharmendra’s life. Despite the scrutiny, she stood by her love for him, choosing to live life on her own terms. 

Hema Malini on judgement she faced for relationship with Dharmendra

In her biography, she spoke about the judgments she faced: “Fingers were pointed. Accusations were flung at us. I knew people discussed me behind my back. I just knew that he made me happy. And all I wanted was happiness.” 

“I know there are sections of people who discuss me with pity. They make me out to be someone who is weeping and mourning at home, pining for my man who is not around. I am not a police officer who needs to keep tabs on him. And I don’t need to show people a roll-call register as to how many days he visits me and how many days he doesn’t. He knows his duty as a father and I’ve never had to remind him of it. Dharam-ji still treats me like he did in the initial days,” she shared. 

Hema Malini on living separately from Dharmendra

Hema has always been candid about her unconventional life, acknowledging that it’s not the kind of arrangement most women would choose 

During an interview with Lehren Retro, she said, “Nobody wants to live like this. But automatically, what happens, you have to accept. I am not sulking about it. I am happy with myself. I have my two children, and I have brought them up well.”  

Dharmendra, who shares four children with Prakash—Sunny, Bobby, Vijeta, and Ajeita—also has two daughters, Esha and Ahana, with Hema.