In addition to his illustrious career, Dharmendra’s personal life often remained in the spotlight. His enduring love story with Hema Malini captured the country’s imagination and intense scrutiny, especially because he was already married to Prakash Kaur when he fell in love with Hema. Their relationship became one of Bollywood’s most talked-about romances, filled with admiration, controversy and unwavering commitment. As the nation mourns Dharmendra’s passing, it is impossible not to revisit the love story that defined an era and remained one of the most unforgettable chapters of his life and legacy.
How Dharmendra and Hema Malini first met
Speaking about their first meeting, Bollywood's dream girl Hema Malini recalled in her biography 'Hema Malini: Beyond the Dream Girl' that they both met at a film premiere. Her memoirs describe: "When I was called on stage, I had to walk alone, and I remember being so shy. I had just finished my film with Raj Kapoor but the film had not yet released. While walking towards the stage I heard Dharam-ji tell Shashi Kapoor in Punjabi, ‘Kudi badi changi hai (The girl is quite pretty)’ but I chose to ignore it. Then they introduced me as Raj Kapoor’s Dream Girl. How nervous I was to be sharing the stage with Dharam-ji and Shashi Kapoor!"
Dharmendra and Hema Malini worked together in several films
Dharmendra and Hema Malini's love story is one of the most cherished in Bollywood. They appeared together in several films and soon developed a strong bond that went beyond the screen. Films where Dharmendra shared screen space with Hema Malini include Sholay, Seeta Aur Geeta, Naseeb, Alibaba Aur 40 Chor, Andhaa Kaanoon, Chhoti Si Baat, Raja Jani, Samraat, Dream Girl, Pattar Aur Payal, Tum Haseen Main Jawaan and others. For the unversed, Dharmendra and Hema Malini tied the knot in 1980.
