by: Sumana Ch.

Director Sridhar rejected her for a Tamil film, saying that she has no star appeal. Hema Malini pledged that she would make it big, not in Kollywood, but in Bollywood where it really mattered. From then on there was no looking back.

This dream girl was indeed kisi Shayar ki gazal. Today decades after her stint in Bollywood Hema Malini, still is one of the prettiest and the most talented artist in Bollywood.

Hema Malini did things differently. She did roles, which were rejected by the top heroines of yester years. Not only this she also gave new lease to many other stars. One film with Hema then, and even the actor who was written off, became the most vaunted. Such was the charisma of this dream girl.

Her career started with SAPNON KA SAUDAGAR (1968) with Raj Kapoor. Posters touted her as dream girl. A new face, but the film flopped. Hema became a hit. Her stint in Bollywood continued and with JOHNNY MERA NAAM (1970), she became the most sort after heroine and SEETA AUR GEETA (1972) catapulted her to the numero uno position. The saga of success continued with RAJA JANI (1972), JUGNU (1973) and SHOLAY (1975).

At this point many criticized that this dream girl could emote only on one-note. From here on we saw Hema in variety roles. She became a scheming mistress of Raj Kumar in LAL PATHAR (1971). In ANDAZ (1971) she became a young widow. Many top actresses of that time had turned down this role.

 In real life she tied knot with muscle man Dharmendra. Earlier she was proposed by Jeetendra and Sanjeev Kumar, but then her heart fluttered for Dharamji. Though she became his second wife she commanded respect from the press and public.

Apart from shining in films she also tried hands in production. She directed the film DIL AASHNA HAI (1991) that started Shah Rukh Khan. Her other production and directorial ventures include SWAMI (1977), SHARARA (1984), AAWARGI (1987) and MARG (1992 but unreleased) and MOHINI (1994). She has also directed TV serials Noopur (1990) and Women of India (1996). She was awarded the Padma Bhushan in 1999 for her contribution to Indian Cinema. These days she is busy molding her daughter Eshaa Deol's career. Very soon she would be directing and producing a film for her daughter. 

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