Hema Malini reveals one Dharmendra movie she turns to when she feels low

Even years after Dharmendra’s passing, his presence still lingers in the hearts of fans and colleagues, none more deeply than Hema Malini. The veteran actress recently shared the special Dharmendra film she watches whenever she feels low, highlighting the enduring bond they shared both on and off screen. From iconic comic roles to deeply emotional performances, Dharmendra’s versatility made him unforgettable, and for Malini, revisiting these films is a way to feel close to him once again.

In an interview with Subhash K Jha for Rediff, Hema Malini reflected on Dharmendra’s remarkable range, recalling how he could make audiences laugh with his comic timing and cry with serious performances in films like Satyakam and Jeevan Mrityu. Among the many films they starred in together, she counted Sharafat, Naya Zamana, Jugnu, and, of course, Sholay among her favourites. She also spoke of her love for the light-hearted comedy Chupke Chupke, which she turns to whenever she feels low, a comforting reminder of the joy he brought into her life.

Hema Malini and Dharmendra's marriage

Hema Malini first met Dharmendra at a film premiere in 1968. Their professional partnership began with Tum Haseen Main Jawaan in 1970, a collaboration that blossomed into a personal relationship over six years. The couple married on May 2, 1980, after knowing each other for more than a decade. Dharmendra already had four children from his first marriage to Prakash Kaur, including actors Sunny Deol and Bobby Deol, while he and Malini had two daughters, Esha Deol, born in 1981, and Ahana Deol Vohra, born in 1985. Hema Malini last appeared on screen in Shimla Mirchi in 2020.



Dharmendra, born in 1935 in Punjab, became one of Bollywood’s most enduring and beloved stars. He entered the industry after winning a nationwide talent contest organised by Filmfare in collaboration with Bimal Roy Productions in 1958. His striking looks and natural charm opened the doors to a career that would span decades and create a lasting legacy.

The actor passed away in November last year at the age of 89. He had been admitted to Breach Candy Hospital in South Mumbai with breathing difficulties but was discharged after showing improvement. A few days later, however, his condition worsened, and he was placed on a ventilator. Bollywood fraternity members, including Aamir Khan and Abhishek Bachchan, paid their final respects at his crematorium in Vile Parle, while Karan Johar and others remembered him on social media, celebrating a career and life that left an indelible mark on Indian cinema.