Last Updated:November 11, 2025, 07:38 IST

Hema Malini once addressed the criticism around her marriage with Dharmendra, saying she chose happiness and dignity despite public judgment.

Hema Malini and Dharmendra’s love story remains one of Bollywood’s most discussed, celebrated and complicated chapters. The two stars, who first worked together in the 1970 film Tu Haseen Main Jawan, found an enduring connection. However, their relationship drew intense scrutiny as Dharmendra was already married to Prakash Kaur and had four children at the time.

In her biography Hema Malini: Beyond the Dream Girl, the actor opened up about the emotional complexities of their union and the choices she made along the way. She explained that her decision to live separately from Dharmendra was shaped by her desire to maintain peace and dignity. “I didn’t want to disturb anyone. I am happy with whatever Dharamji did for me and my daughters,” she said in the book.

‘Fingers Were Pointed, Accusations Were Flung’

Hema shared that she was often labeled the “other woman” and faced harsh judgment. Yet, she never regretted choosing Dharmendra. “Fingers were pointed. Accusations were flung at us. I knew people discussed me behind my back. I just knew that he made me happy. And all I wanted was happiness,” she said.

Addressing the perception that her marriage left her lonely, she clarified that her life was far from the image others imagined. “I am not a police officer who needs to keep tabs on him. I don’t need to show people a roll-call register of how many days he visits me. He knows his duty as a father, and I’ve never had to remind him of it.”

‘Nobody Wants To Live Like This, But You Accept’

In an earlier interview with Lehren Retro, Hema acknowledged that her life did not resemble the conventional idea of marriage. “Nobody wants to live like this. But automatically, what happens, you have to accept. I am not sulking about it. I am happy with myself. I have my two children, and I have brought them up well.”

Dharmendra shares four children Sunny Deol, Bobby Deol, Vijeta and Ajeita with his first wife Prakash Kaur, and two daughters, Esha Deol and Ahana Deol, with Hema.

Despite the challenges, Hema and Dharmendra’s bond has stood the test of time, shaped not by convention, but by mutual understanding, respect and enduring affection.

Shrishti Negi

Shrishti Negi is a journalist with over eight years of experience in the media industry. She leads the Entertainment desk at News18.com. She writes breaking news stories, generates feature ideas, edits copies, …Read More

Shrishti Negi is a journalist with over eight years of experience in the media industry. She leads the Entertainment desk at News18.com. She writes breaking news stories, generates feature ideas, edits copies, … Read More