When Hema Malini accepted she has never entered husband Dharmendra’s Juhu home, didn’t want to disturb his first family: ‘I have a lot of respect for Prakash Kaur’

Speaking about the arrangement, Hema Malini shared: “I didn’t want to disturb anyone. I am happy with whatever Dharamji did for me and my daughters. He played the role of a father, like any father would. I guess I am happy with that.”

In an interview with Lehren, she reflected further: “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. Of course, he (Dharmendra) was there, always. No one likes staying away from their spouse, but sometimes circumstances are such that one has to accept the situation.”

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The actress also admitted that she holds deep respect for Prakash Kaur and Dharmendra’s first family in her memoir, adding: “Today I am a working woman and I have been able to maintain my dignity because I devoted my life to art and culture. If the situation was slightly different, I wouldn’t be what I am today. Though I have never spoken about Prakash, I respect her a lot. Even my daughters respect Dharamji’s family. The world may want to know every detail about my life, but that is not for others to know. It’s no one’s business.”

When Prakash Kaur supported Dharmendra’s second marriage

While Dharmendra faced backlash for remarrying, Prakash Kaur–who largely avoids the spotlight–once defended her husband publicly. In a 1981 interview with Stardust, she said: “Why only my husband? Any man would have preferred Hema over me. How dare anyone call my husband a womaniser when half the industry is doing the same thing? He may not be the best husband, though he is very good to me, but he is certainly the best father. His children love him a lot. He never neglects them.”

She also shared her perspective on Hema Malini: “I can understand what Hema is going through. Even she has to face the world, her relatives, and friends. But if I were in Hema’s place, I would not have done what she did. As a woman, I can understand her feelings. But as a wife and mother, I do not approve of them.”