When Dharmendra dismissed conversion rumours surrounding his marriage to Hema Malini: "I am not the kind of man who will..."

Dharmendra and Hema Malini remain one of Bollywood’s most iconic couples.

Dharmendra and Hema Malini’s 1980 marriage stands as one of Bollywood’s most iconic love stories, celebrated for both its enduring strength and the intrigue it sparked among fans and media alike.

Their love story blossomed on film sets in the 1970s, where the "He-Man" of Bollywood and the "Dream Girl" found a unique connection that would defy the odds. Despite initial challenges, their relationship triumphed, and they wed in a private ceremony that added an air of mystery and romance to their bond.

Dharmendra was already married to Prakash Kaur, with whom he had four children, when his marriage to Hema Malini took place. Their union sparked widespread rumors, with reports suggesting that the pair converted to Islam to honor the requirements of both their faiths, allowing them to marry.

According to Ram Kamal Mukherjee's biography Hema Malini: Beyond the Dream Girl, there were rumors that Dharmendra and Hema Malini had converted into Islman and taken the names Dilawar and Ayesha Bi and participated in a nikaah ceremony before their traditional Iyengar wedding. This speculation resurfaced decades later in 2004, when Dharmendra ran for a Lok Sabha seat.

In the same year during Dharmendra's Lok Sabha campaign, rumors resurfaced, fueled by Congress pointing out that his asset declaration only listed properties belonging to his first wife, Prakash Kaur, with no mention of Hema. When asked about this omission, Hema responded, stating, “This is extremely personal between us. And we will sort it out between ourselves. Nobody else should bother about this.”

At that time, Hema Malini was serving as a member of the Rajya Sabha, and the Congress party attempted to challenge her nomination, accusing her of misrepresenting her name and religion. Hema refuted the allegations, firmly dismissing them as untrue and indicating she had no further comments on the matter.

The biography also highlights Dharmendra's viewpoint, noting his denial of the rumors about a religious conversion. In a 2004 interview with Outlook, Dharmendra clearly refuted the claims, emphasizing his stance on the matter and said, “This allegation is totally incorrect. I am not the kind of man who will change his religion to suit his interests.”

Dharmendra married Prakash Kaur in 1954, years before his rise to stardom. Together, they had four children: sons Sunny and Bobby Deol, who both pursued acting careers like their father, and daughters Ajeeta and Vijaya.

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He then met Hema while working in the film industry, and their on-screen chemistry translated into a deep off-screen bond. The two became one of Bollywood’s most celebrated couples, with their romance blossoming on the sets of films like Sholay.

Dharmendra began his film career with Dil Bhi Tera Hum Bhi Tere in 1960. He met Hema Malini in the 1970s, and in 1980, despite facing intense public scrutiny due to his existing marriage to Prakash Kaur, the two chose to marry. Together, they have two daughters, Esha and Ahana Deol. Today, Dharmendra and Hema Malini remain one of Bollywood’s most iconic couples.