As Bollywood’s 'Dream Girl' Hema Malini has long symbolised elegance, discipline, and strength. Yet behind the glamour lies a chapter of her life that reflects her quiet endurance and emotional maturity, her marriage to Dharmendra. Their love story, born in the golden era of Hindi cinema, remains one of the most talked-about and unconventional relationships in the industry’s history.
It all began on film sets in the early 1970s. Dharmendra was already a superstar, admired for his charisma and rugged charm, and married to Prakash Kaur with four children. Hema Malini, on the other hand, was at the peak of her stardom, adored for her grace and beauty.
What began as on-screen chemistry soon evolved into real-life affection, and before long, their romance became the stuff of tabloid legend. But it was also a love that came at a heavy price.
When Dharmendra decided to marry Hema Malini without divorcing his first wife, it sent shockwaves across the country.
The decision was not just bold, it was bound to stir debate in a conservative society where monogamy was both a moral and legal norm.
His choice meant that his second marriage to Hema Malini would never fit within traditional frameworks. Yet, the couple stood by each other, defying social criticism and continuing to share an emotional bond that lasted decades.
From the outside, theirs appeared to be a dream-like union two of Bollywood’s biggest stars deeply in love. But behind that façade was a relationship defined by boundaries, mutual respect, and quiet sacrifice. Hema Malini made peace with the reality that she and Dharmendra would live separate lives despite being married. The actor continued to stay with his first family in Juhu, while Hema made her home nearby, raising their two daughters, Esha and Ahana Deol.
In her authorized biography, Hema Malini: Beyond the Dream Girl by Ram Kamal Mukherjee, she opened up about this decision with striking honesty. “I did not want to trouble anyone. I am happy with what Dharam ji did for me and my daughters. He played the role of a father, like any father would. I think I am satisfied with it,” she said, reflecting a rare mix of acceptance and dignity.
She also revealed that she had briefly met Dharmendra’s first wife, Prakash Kaur, before marriage at social events, but never after that. Though her residence was just a short distance from Dharmendra’s bungalow, Hema never visited it. The physical closeness and emotional distance summed up the quiet complexity of their relationship.
Years later, in a candid conversation with Lehren, Hema Malini spoke openly about why she and Dharmendra lived separately. Her words carried no bitterness , only grace. “I do not feel bad about it, nor am I sad. I am happy with myself. I have two children and I have raised them very well. Of course, he (Dharmendra) was always with me. No husband and wife like to live separately, but sometimes circumstances are such that a person has to accept it,” she said.
Recently, Bobby Deol revealed his mother Prakash Kaur and father Dharmendra are living together at their Khandala bungalow.
Discover the latest Business News, Sensex, and Nifty updates. Obtain Personal Finance insights, tax queries, and expert opinions on Moneycontrol or download the Moneycontrol App to stay updated!
