Hema Malini once walked out of the Dancing Queen set over ‘Sholay’ comedy performance, 'I felt being mocked at'

Hema Malini once walked out of the Dancing Queen set

Legendary Bollywood actress Hema Malini once walked off the set of the reality show Dancing Queen, leaving fans and fellow celebrities surprised. The incident occurred during a segment where contestants performed humorous dance routines, judged by Hema Malini alongside veteran actor Jeetendra.

The controversy arose when contestant Sambhavna Seth performed a comedy dance based on the iconic Sholay song 'Main Nachungi'. In the act, one performer played Basanti—Hema Malini’s celebrated role—while another enacted the infamous villain Gabbar Singh.

What was intended as a lighthearted parody did not sit well with the veteran actress, who felt the performance bordered on a "lewd joke" and disrespected the legendary film.

When asked for her opinion, Hema Malini candidly expressed her displeasure, saying the act made her feel mocked and insulted the film’s legacy.

She stated that the presentation of the act made her feel mocked and that it was inappropriate to treat such an iconic film in a humorous, disrespectful manner. Despite attempts by the host and contestant to clarify their intentions, she chose to leave the set, with Jeetendra reportedly following suit.

Despite efforts by the host and the contestant to clarify the intentions behind the act, Hema Malini maintained that she could not continue under such circumstances and left the set. Jeetendra reportedly left alongside her.

Also Read: Theatre Owner Manoj Desai reflects on Hema Malini’s decision to organize separate prayer meet for Dharmendra

Sholay (1975) is one of Bollywood’s most iconic films, featuring a stellar ensemble cast. The film starred Amitabh Bachchan as the brooding Jai, Dharmendra as the spirited Veeru, and Hema Malini as the charming Basanti. Amjad Khan delivered a legendary performance as the ruthless villain Gabbar Singh, while Sanjeev Kumar played the wise and principled Thakur Baldev Singh. Supporting roles included Jaya Bhaduri as Radha, Asrani as the comic relief, and many others who contributed to making Sholay a timeless classic in Indian cinema.

The movie re-released in theatres recently.