Hema Malini reacts to Dharmendra-Shabana Azmi kiss in Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani: ‘I’m so happy for him…’

Asked about the viral kiss, Hema said with a laugh, according to Times Now, “I have not seen it.” She added, “I am sure people have loved the film. I am so happy for Dharam ji, because he loves to be in front of the camera all the time. He loves it.”

On the same day in Mumbai, Dharmendra spoke about the kiss at the success meet of the film, which was attended by Karan and other cast members. Egged on by Ranveer to talk about ‘woh wala scene’, Dharmendra said cheekily, “Unfortunately, I couldn’t attend the premiere, but I’ve received a lot of messages from people. Maine bola, ‘Yaar, yeh toh mere daaye haath ka kaam hai (I can do this in my sleep).” As the rest of the cast of the film laughed, Dharmendra added, “Baaye haath se karwana hai, woh bhi karwa lo (I can do it effortlessly).”

Previously, Karan also discussed the scene in an interview with Film Companion. “Shabana ji is a trooper. She is a master actor, she is a ‘baap’ actor as they say. There was no debate, no question (about the kiss scene). Dharam ji was like, ‘haan theek hai karna hai, fine’. (It was) two great veterans, performing with absolute aplomb, no questions asked. It was glorious to see them.”

Shabana in an interview with Zoom said that shooting the scene was ‘never an issue’, and noted that crowds have been ‘laughing and cheering’ in theatres during the scene. “It is true that I haven’t kissed much on screen before. But who wouldn’t want to kiss a man as handsome as Dharmendra?” she said.

Dharmendra and Hema Malini have made headlines in recent weeks, after Hema and their two daughters didn’t attend the wedding of his grandson, Karan Deol. Dharmendra has four adult children with his first wife Prakash Kaur, and has two daughters with Hema. While neither side is known to acknowledge or interact with each other, Esha Deol recently congratulated Karan on his wedding and cheered for his father Sunny Deol ahead of the release of Gadar 2.