Hema Malini

Hema Malini has been often referred as the 'Dream Girl' of Bollywood. She was born in Tamil speaking Iyenger Brahmin family on 16th October 1948 at Ammankudi, which was then Madras. Her father's name is V.S.R. Chakravarthy and her mother's name is Jaya.

She started getting acting offers, when she was in school. She started off her career as a dancer in Tamil movie, but when she made her first attempt to act in the film 'Venniradai', the director Sridhar rejected her saying she's too thin to be an actress. Just few years after the rejection, she made her Bollywood debut in the year 1968, in the film 'Sapno Ka Saudagar' opposite legendary showman, Raj Kapoor.

She attained popularity with the films like 'Jhonny Mera Naam' and 'Andaz'. From then there was no looking back for this diva. From the year 1970-85, she ruled Bollywood being the leading lady. She was different from other actress in her era, as she played diverse roles, which other ladies refrained from doing. She played young widow in the movie 'Andaz', a negative role in 'Lal Patthar' and a double role in the super hit flick 'Seeta Aur Geeta'.

She brilliantly enlivened several characters on the silver screen, thereby delivering hit after hit. Some of her successful films are 'Sanyasi' (1975), 'Dharmatma', 'Dillagi' (1978), 'Hum Dono' (1985), 'Dost' (1974), 'Baghban' and many more. Even today, she is fondly remembered as "Basanti", a talkative girl in the blockbuster 'Sholay', which did wonders at the box-office and carved a history. She rocked the screen, when she was coupled with the superstars like Dharmendra and Rajesh Khanna and her chemistry with them was unbeatable. She has acted in more than 155 films so far.

She has featured in TV serials 'Jai Mata Ki' and 'Kamini Damini'. And has also directed a TV serial, 'Noopur'. She is the brand ambassador of the brands like Kent RO Systems and Pothys.

Being a classically trained dancer in Bharatanatyam, Odissi and Kuchipudi dance forms, she performs in numerous dance concerts, sometimes even accompanied by her daughters. Also, she is the member of Bharatiya Janata Party and is elected member of Rajya Sabha.

Hema Malini was the heart-throb of many of her male co-stars, but she landed up marrying Dharmendra in the year 1980. And has two daughters, Esha Deol and Ahana Deol.