By Jagmohan Singh Barhok
तेरे चेहरे में वो जादू है
बिन डोर खिंचा जाता हूँ
जाना होता है और कही
तेरी ओर चला आता हूँ
Hema Malini caught the fancy of cine-goers with her debut film “Sapno Ka Saudagar” ( 1968) opposite Raj Kapoor. She was paired opposite Dev Anand in Vijay Anand’s hit film “Johny Mera Naam” ( 1970). She also did a film opposite Rakesh Roshan titled “Praya Dhan” ( 1971) with some hit numbers to boast like ‘Aaj Unse Pehli Mulaqat Hogi’ & ‘Aao Jhoomey Gaayen’.
The actress hit the Bull’s eye playing a double role in Ramesh Sippy’s ” Seeta Aur Geeta” ( 1972) opposite Dharmendra & Sanjeev Kumar to win her first Filmfare Best Actress Award. The film had few popular songs including “O Saathi Chal Mujhe Le Ke Saath Chal Tu”-pick of the lot picturized on Hema-Sanjeev Kumar duo ably rendered by Asha-Kishore. “Sharafat”(1970), “Naya Zamana”, “Andaz”, ” Lal Pathhar”, “Tere Mere Sapne”( all 1971 releases) were some other notable films of the actress.
Known for her dancing prowess, Hema Malini was promoted in the film industry as a ‘Dream Girl’ from the world go. Jeetendra, Sanjeev Kumar & even Raj Kumar were enamored by her beauty but the actress chose Dharmendra as her ‘Dream Merchant’. For Dharmendra it was a ‘big catch’ so to say. “Kranti”, “Naseeb” & “Kudrat’ were her other notable films released in 1981.
Aruna Raje’s “Rihaee” was another film worth mentioning. The film depicts the tales & woes of women living in a remote village whose husbands work in distant towns for a livelihood, least bothering about their spouses back home. Naseeruddin Shah, a Dubai returned fun-loving foppish, resident of the village, takes advantage of many virtuous village girls including Sukhi (Neena Gupta) and Reema Lagoo. He also sets his evil eyes on Taku ( Hema Malini) knowing well that long separation between to partners often tends to give rise to adulterous thoughts. Taku (Hema Malini) , is a woman of strong character. She refuses to fall easy prey like others. However, Mansukh( Naseer) eventually makes her agree to have sexual relations with him. He does away with their modesty, leaving many of them pregnant on his return. The unfortunate women have now suicide or abortion two options left. Hema Malini, too, gets pregnant but refuses to abort the child despite threats from her husband Vinod Khanna. Neena Gupta played her role admirably well. The film depicts fleeting extra-marital flirtation, some explicit scenes including double entendre. The film chiefly aims at highlighting two yard sticks for men & women in matters concerning sex. It also takes the lid off the prevalent hypocrisy in the society. Hema received her 10th Fimlfare nomination for this film.
“Ek Chadar Maili Se ” ( 1986) directed by Sukhwant Dhadda, added another feather in her cap & so was ” Lal Patthar” based on a complex subject. Her most popular role, however, was in “Sholay” playing Basanti Tangewaali, a semi-comic one.”Idhu Sathiyam” (1963) was her debut Tamil film directed by K. Shankar.
“Amir Garib”, “Prem Nagar”(1974), “Dharmatama” & “Sholay”( 1975) “Mehbooba”( 976), ” Trishul” ( 1978),”Kranti” ( 1981) “Razia Sultan” ( 1983) & “Baghbaan”( 2003) were the other notable films of Hema Malini. It would be injustice if we did not mention some hit numbers from her films the likes of- “ Sharifo Ka Zamaane Me, Sharafat Chodd De Maine”, (Sharafat-1970),” O Mere Raja, Kafa Na Hona”(johny Mera Naam-1970),” Zindagi Ik Safar Hai Suhana”( Andaaz-1971),” Hume Tumse Pyaar Kitna Yeh Hum Nahin Jaante” ( Kudrat-1981) & “ Aye Dil-E -Nadaan” ( Razia Sultan-1983).
Initially Hema looked like a typical South Indian actress but after she gained popularity she transformed into a modern and beautiful actress & was rightly bestowed with the title Dream Girl. Won many accolade including Filmfare Best Actress Award for “Seeta Aur Geeta” (1973),Lifetime Achievement Award (1999) & Padma Shri in 2000.Married Dharmendra on 21 Auguat 1979 & blessed with two daughters, the couple rarely open up about their personal relationship and marriage. The actress, however, spoke with impunity about how she fell in love with Veeru of Sholay in her authoriz ed biography ‘Hema Malini: Beyond the Dream Girl’, which was released in 2017.
