Hema Malini reveals what she initially liked about Dharmendra ‘apart from good looks’, recalls growing ‘dependent’ on him during outdoor shoots

Hema Malini and Dharmendra are one of Bollywood’s most legendary couples, known for their long partnership both on and off the screen. Their bond defied conventions, and Hema never shied away from speaking about her unconventional marriage. Dharmendra was married to Prakash Kaur when they first crossed paths. Now, after 43 years together, Hema has opened up about what drew her closer to Dharmendra, apart from his good looks. 

Hema first saw Dharmendra at a movie premiere, and thought, ‘What a good looking man.’ In an interview with Lehren, Hema was asked what drew her to him, and she said that more than anything else, he is ‘a nice man’. She recalled that back in the day, they would spend a lot of time working together on outdoor shoots, and Dharmendra supported her through it all. This made her start ‘depending’ on him. She also described him as a ‘straightforward’ and ‘simple’ person. Hema and Dharmendra tied the knot in 1980 and they have two daughters – Ahana and Esha Deol.  Dharmendra and Prakash have four children – Sunny, Bobby, and daughters Ajeeta and Vijeta. 

In the same interview, Hema had also opened up about their unusual living arrangement. Reportedly, Hema chose to live in a separate house from Dharmendra. Talking about this, Hema said everybody would like to experience a regular married life, but she feels that there is no point in sulking or complaining about her situation. “I am not feeling bad about it, or sulking about it. I am happy with myself. I have my two children, and I have brought them up very well,” she said.

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Hema and Dharmendra first starred together in Asit Sen’s Sharafat in 1970.  They went on to star in films like Sholay, Seeta Aur Geeta and Do Dishayen.