Hema Malini

Hema Malini was born into a Tamil Brahmin family to V. S. Ramanujam Chakravarthy and Jaya Lakshmi Chakravarthy. She began learning Bharatanatyam at the age of six and attended Andhra Mahila Sabha in Chennai. Her cousin is actress Madhoo.

Malini married actor Dharmendra, with published accounts dating the marriage to 1979 or 1980. They had two daughters, Esha Deol and Ahana Deol, who also pursued careers in the arts. Dharmendra died in 2025.

Malini began appearing in films during the 1960s, including a small role in Pandava Vanavasam and an appearance in the Tamil film Idhu Sathiyam. Her first Hindi lead role came opposite Raj Kapoor in Sapno Ka Saudagar, released in 1968 or 1969 in different accounts. The film’s promotion introduced her as the “Dream Girl,” a nickname that remained associated with her career.

Her breakthrough came with Johny Mera Naam in 1970. She also appeared in Andaz and Lal Patthar, establishing herself as a leading actress. In Seeta Aur Geeta she played twins separated at birth, a performance that earned her the Filmfare Award for Best Actress.

During the 1970s and 1980s, Malini starred in a series of commercially successful Hindi films, including Sanyasi, Dharmatma, Pratigya, Sholay, Trishul, Naseeb, and Satte Pe Satta. Her pairing with Dharmendra became one of the prominent screen partnerships of the period, while she also worked frequently with Rajesh Khanna and other leading actors.

Her portrayal of Basanti, a spirited horse-cart driver, in Sholay became one of her defining roles. Malini was also recognised for playing independent and empowered women. Her work in Razia Sultan, Ek Chadar Maili Si, and Rihaee included characters whose careers, social circumstances, or personal choices challenged conventional gender roles. She appeared in more than 150 films over the course of her career.

Malini is trained in Bharatanatyam, Kuchipudi, and Mohiniyattam. She founded the Natya Vihar Kalakendra dance school in Mumbai and has presented classical dance productions in India and abroad. Her daughters Esha Deol and Ahana Deol, both trained in Odissi, have performed with her in productions including Parampara.

She made her film-directing and producing debut with Dil Aashna Hai in 1992, which featured Shah Rukh Khan in one of his early roles. She later directed and produced Mohini and Tell Me O Kkhuda. Her television work included producing and directing programmes such as Noopur, hosting Rangoli on Doordarshan, and appearing in Jai Mata Ki. After a break from acting, she returned in Baghban and later appeared in Veer-Zaara, Laaga Chunari Mein Daag, Ek Thi Rani Aisi Bhi, and Shimla Mirchi.

Malini campaigned for Bharatiya Janata Party candidate Vinod Khanna in 1999 and formally joined the BJP in 2004. She served as a nominated member of the Rajya Sabha from 2003 to 2009, was elected to the Rajya Sabha from Karnataka in 2011, and entered the Lok Sabha as the representative for Mathura in 2014. She retained the constituency in the 2019 and 2024 elections.

Her honours include the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award, the Padma Shri in 2000, an honorary doctorate from Sir Padampat Singhania University in 2012, the NTR National Award in 2013, and the Indian Film Personality of the Year Award at the International Film Festival of India in 2021. She has also supported animal-rights causes and was named PETA Person of the Year in 2011.