ACTOR
Hema Malini
47 archived facts 5 topics 1 source Last reviewed Oct 2026
All facts (47)
- #001
Hema Malini converted to Islam solely for the purpose of marriage, changing her name to Aisha Bi R. Chakravarty, while Dharmendra changed his name to Dilawar Khan. They married on 21 August 1979.
- #002
In the book "Hema Malini: The Authorized Biography" (2007), she revealed that both actors Jeetendra and Sanjeev Kumar proposed marriage to Hema, but that Dharmendra ultimately won her, forming a highly successful on-screen pair with her. As his second wife, and by continuing to work after having children, she defied the traditional norms of the time.
- #003
The Government of India awarded Hema Malini the Padma Shri, its fourth-highest civilian honour, in 2000 for her contributions to Indian cinema. The President of India presented the award at a ceremony held at Rashtrapati Bhavan. Hema Malini received the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award in 1999, marking the thirtieth year since her debut in Indian cinema. Sir Padampat Singhania University awarded her an honorary doctorate in 2012 for her career spanning more than 150 films.
- #004
The actress became the fifth Tamil-speaking artist to reach Hindi film stardom, following the career trajectories of Anjali Devi, Vyjayanthimala, Padmini and Waheeda Rehman. During the production of the Tamil film Idhu Sathiyam (1963), she appeared as a background dancer in the musical sequence "Singara Therukku Selai" in her screen debut. Director C. V. Sridhar dropped her from the production of Vennira Aadai (1965) during the casting stage in 1964. The director stated that her physique was too thin for the role of Geetha. The role went to Shanti, a society debutante who later took the screen name Vennira Aadai Nirmala.
- #005
She founded Natya Vihar Kalakendra, an institution dedicated to creating, propagating and presenting age-old Indian mythological themes from epics such as the Ramayana, the Mahabharata and other ancient scriptures through dance.
- #006
Hema Malini served as Chairperson of the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC) from 2000 to 2003. This tenure followed her appointment by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. The NFDC serves as the central agency established to promote the Good Cinema movement in India. Over this three-year period, Malini oversaw the institutional promotion of various independent film projects.
- #007
Hema Malini holds the distinction of being the highest-earning Indian film actress from 1976 to 1980, sharing that position with her contemporary Zeenat Aman. Production records and archival tax data from 1983 indicate that her remuneration reached peak levels during this period, with specific reference to a fee of 500,000 rupees for the production Dillagi (1978). The historical salary ranking places her as the fourth-highest-paid actress in the industry from 1971 to 1975 and as the second-highest-paid actress alongside Aman between 1982 and 1985.
- #008
Hema Malini names Shashi Kapoor, Rajesh Khanna and Dev Anand as her preferred professional collaborators. The actress holds a prolific record with these leading men, appearing with Shashi Kapoor in more than ten films and with Rajesh Khanna in about fifteen productions.
- #009
Hema Malini names Lal Patthar, Abhinetri, Johny Mera Naam, Amir Garib, Prem Nagar, Dillagi, Kinara, Sholay, Seeta Aur Geeta, Mehbooba, Kudrat, Hum Dono, Rajput and Baghban as her preferred film contributions.
- #010
Dharmendra and Hema Malini were romantically paired as leads in 31 films but worked together in 35. Of these, 20 were hits: Sharafat, Tum Haseen Main Jawan, Seeta Aur Geeta, Raja Jani, Jugnu, Dost, Paththar Aur Payal, Pratigya, Sholay, Charas, Dream Girl, Chacha Batija, Khel Khilari Ka, Azaad, Ali Baba Aur 40 Chor, Bhagavat, Rajput, Raaj Tilak, Jaan Hatheli Pe and one more film, while Choti Si Baat, in which she appeared as a guest, was also very well received. Among their 15 flops were Naya Zamana, Maa, Kinara, Dillagi, Dil Ka Heera, Aas Paas, Do Dishayen, The Burning Train, Krodhi, Samraat, Razia Sultaan, Tell Me O Khuda, and the films in which the pair spent less time together — Kehte Hai Mujhko Raja, Phandebaaz and Meharbaani were failures.
- #011
She is the daughter of film producer Jaya Chakravarthy, who guided her career in its early stages. She is the mother of Esha Deol and Ahana Deol. She is the stepmother of Sunny Deol and Bobby Deol.
- #012
Hema Malini was born in the village of Ammankudi in the Tiruchirappalli District of Tamil Nadu. Her parents, V. S. Ramanujam Chakravarti and Jaya Chakravarti, ensured she was raised in this region during her early childhood. Jaya Chakravarti worked as a film producer and influenced the course of her daughter's career in the Hindi film industry.
- #013
Hema Malini and Jeetendra appeared as co-leads in 12 feature films between 1970 and 1987. The pairing maintained a 50% success rate during this period, delivering 6 box-office successes.
- #014
Hema Malini made her film debut as a background dancer in the 1963 Tamil production Idhu Sathiyam. She appeared alongside lead actor S. A. Asokan in the musical sequence Singara Therukku Selai. Vocalists Seergazhi Govindrajan and L. R. Eswari provided the playback for the sequence. Director K. Shankar cast her after a recommendation regarding her proficiency in Bharatanatyam. The production team shot the first scene at AVM Studios in Chennai. In the first studio records, the producers listed the artist as Hema Malini R. Chakravarty. Before entering the film industry she trained under Guru Kitappa Pillai. Her 1963 appearance remains her only credited role in a film headlined by S. A. Asokan.
- #015
Dev Anand proposed a Beauty Queen-titled vehicle for Hema Malini's youngest daughter, Ahana Deol. Malini turned down the professional offer, citing her daughter's lack of interest in an acting career.
- #016
Her niece is named Nandita Chakravarti, the daughter of her brother R. K. Chakravarti (Kannan) and his wife Prabha. Nandita received an award for her innovative ideas on how to increase security measures at international airports. She placed fourth in a competition held in the US on the same subject and was invited by Gresham, Smith and Partners to help rebuild and protect Reno/Tahoe International Airport in Washoe County, Nevada, USA, against terrorism. Her designs will focus on providing high security without compromising the airport's safety. She currently serves as a Mobile UX Designer at eBay. She also owns her own website, nanditachakravarti.com.
- #017
In 1986 she took part in a multi-city international stage tour in the Fiji Islands. Among the performers on the concert series were Rishi Kapoor, Dimple Kapadia, Helen, Asrani and Prem Chopra. Ranbir Kapoor appeared on a public stage for the first time during this tour. Local organisers reported that all planned shows in the Fiji Islands reached maximum capacity with all tickets sold out.
- #018
Hema Malini launched an in-house production venture under the banner HM Creations in the late 1970s. Ramesh Sippy was attached as director, with Malini and Dharmendra in the lead roles. Development of the production stalled after Dharmendra and Malini simultaneously left Sippy's 70 mm action film Shaan (1980). This transition required the recasting of Shaan and resulted in the hiring of Sunil Dutt and Rakhee Gulzar to fill the vacated positions.
- #019
Hema Malini was cast in 1978 for a role in an untitled Dharma Productions film. The project aimed to pair her with Bengali actor Uttam Kumar under the direction of Gulzar. Yash Johar produced the film, which reached pre-production or early production before being shelved. Rahul Dev Burman was signed as the music composer for the soundtrack.
- #020
Hema Malini has received formal training as a Bharatanatyam dancer. She continued directing television series to highlight classical dance forms and the status of women in Indian society. The 1990 series Noopur (1990) served as a primary vehicle for this goal, presenting Malini as a dancer shaping traditional arts in a modern context. India's Women (1996) used a documentary format to profile historical and contemporary female figures. Malini moved into direction through her production company HM Creations to retain creative control over the depiction of classical aesthetics. She received the Padma Shri, India's fourth-highest civilian award, in 2000 for her contributions to the arts. Her directing work extends to the feature film Dil Aashna Hai (1992), which was actor Shah Rukh Khan's first signed project.
- #021
President A. P. J. Abdul Kalam nominated Hema Malini to the Rajya Sabha (the upper house of Parliament) on 16 November 2003 for a six-year term. She held a seat reserved for persons with distinguished contributions to the arts. After campaigning for party candidates as early as 1999, she formally joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in February 2004. During her first term in Parliament she served as a member of the Foreign Relations Committee.
- #022
Hema Malini appeared in ten feature films with Shashi Kapoor between 1969 and 1987. Five of these theatrical releases achieved commercial success at the Indian box office. The professional collaboration began with the production of Abhinetri (1970). Later pairings included Naach Uthe Sansaar (1976), Jahan Pyar Mile (1969) and Trishul (1978). The second production, directed by Yash Chopra, emerged as one of the highest-grossing films of its release year.
- #023
Hema Malini acted alongside Dev Anand, with 3 hits among 7 films with Dev Anand between 1970 and 2003.
- #024
Director C. V. Sridhar rejected the actress during the 1964 casting stage for the lead role in the Tamil production Vennira Aadai (1965). Sridhar felt she was unsuitable for the character and instead cast Nirmala, who later adopted the screen name Vennira Aadai Nirmala. Eight years later, Sridhar directed the thriller Gehri Chaal (1973), collaborating with the actress.
- #025
Hema Malini maintains professional and family ties with her brothers R. K. Chakravarti and R. J. Chakravarti, also known as Jaganath. Both work as film producers in the Indian film industry. R. K. Chakravarti produced the 1977 feature film Dream Girl, which reinforced the actress's public persona and on-screen title. R. J. Chakravarti contributed to the production logistics of several family-led ventures under the HM Creations banner.
- #026
Hema Malini has a niece named Suchi Chakravarti. Suchi is the daughter of R. K. Chakravarti, the actress's brother.
- #027
Malini made her directorial debut with the feature film Dil Aashna Hai (1992), one of Shah Rukh Khan's first screen appearances. The production also involved her cousin Prabha Raghavan, who contributed to the film's development or execution during the initial photography and post-production stages.
- #028
Sai Durga Combines shelved the feature production Jazbaa in 1993. Hema Malini headed the cast alongside Sudesh Berry, Varsha Usgaonkar, Akshay Anand, Farheen, Paresh Rawal and Kader Khan. S. A. Kader directed the project with music composed by the duo Jitin Shyam. The film remained unreleased after production activities were halted in the mid-1990s.
- #029
Her daughter Ahana Deol was cast in the female lead role in the shelved production 2. Time Lucky (2012). Shoojit Sarkar served as both producer and director on the project, which also featured Prateik Babbar.
- #030
Hema Malini is the cousin of actress Madhoo. Madhoo is incorrectly listed as Hema Malini's niece on several websites. This is false. Madhoo's father, producer P Raghunath, is Hema Malini's uncle.
- #031
The Ramsay Brothers signed Hema Malini in 1986 for the supernatural thriller Dushmani. The production was halted due to undisclosed logistical and scheduling conflicts, leading the project to be shelved indefinitely. Industry reports suggest that the core narrative elements and special set designs originally conceived for the production were later integrated into the 1990 horror film Bandh Darwaza.
- #032
The production company Shiv Shankar Movies began principal photography on Shanka in 1984. Director Salilmoy Ghosh cast Hema Malini in the lead alongside Suresh Oberoi, Shoma Anand, Danny Denzongpa and Sharat Saxena. Composer Rahul Dev Burman took on the task of providing the musical score. The studio halted development during the production cycle and the film was not released.
- #033
Hema Malini was first signed for the production Begunaah (1991) to play the wife of the hero portrayed by Rajesh Khanna. Malini later withdrew from the active shooting schedule due to professional conflicts. The producer kept Malini in the narrative by using a still photograph of the actress representing Khanna's deceased wife. This production decision eliminated the need for a replacement actress or additional principal photography for the specific role.
- #034
Hema Malini is the cousin of producer Mohan Raghavan.
- #035
Hema Malini signed on to lead the production of the project "Damdaar," planned for release in 1990 under the Promise Pictures banner. Dilip Gulati served as director and producer of the venture, which began development during a transitional period in the lead actress's career. The cast included Suresh Oberoi, Javed Jaffrey, Hemant Birje, Sahila Chaddha, Raza Murad, Shakti Kapoor and Shehzad Khan. Annu Malik took on the task of composing the film's music. Production was halted before completion, leading the title to be officially shelved.
- #036
Production of Novena Films' feature film Dil Ki Awaaz (1990) was halted during shooting, leading the project to be shelved. The cast included Hema Malini and Anupam Kher. Sateesh Hegde served as director, while E. J. Dsouza and L. N. Kotekar served as producers. The musical score featured compositions by the duo Kalyanji-Anandji.
- #037
In 1990, Hema Malini began pre-production on a television series titled Satyavan Savitri. The project served as an adaptation of Sri Aurobindo's epic poem Savitri, a literary source running to roughly 24,000 lines across multiple volumes. Malini served as the main producer of the venture through the production title. Technical development was halted in the early stages of realization, and the project was shelved after these initial planning phases.
- #038
Narang Film International halted production of the feature film Dil Rubba Dilli Wali (1977). S. D. Narang served as both director and producer on the project. Hema Malini had taken the lead role before the studio shelved the film.
- #039
She first took on these hit films after Asha Parekh turned them down: Sharafat (1970), Andaz (1971) and Seeta Aur Geeta (1972) (Malini won the Filmfare Award for Best Actress for the latter).
- #040
Hema Malini served as editor-in-chief of New Woman, an English-language lifestyle magazine. Beginning in 1987, she also founded and edited Meri Saheli, a women's magazine published simultaneously in Hindi. These editorial roles extended her influence in Indian media beyond her film career.
- #041
Hema Malini auditioned for the role of Roopa in Seeta Aur Geeta (1972) after Asha Parekh chose to withdraw from the production. Director Raj Kapoor cast Zeenat Aman in the lead after Aman came to the studio in costume with face makeup designed to simulate burn marks. Malini did not appear in the final theatrical release.
- #042
Technical records show that she appeared in more than 150 feature films in several languages, including Hindi, Tamil and Telugu.
- #043
Malini took on the role of brand ambassador for Pothys, a textile company in Chennai, during the 2009 launch of the Vastra Kala Pattu collection at the Taj Coromandel.
- #044
Ram Kamal Mukherjee is the author of the 2005 coffee-table biography Hema Malini: Diva Unveiled, published by Magna Publishing Co. Ltd. The volume includes a foreword by Amitabh Bachchan and won the Best Author award at the 2005 Kalakar Awards. Bhawana Somaaya published Hema Malini: The Authorized Biography in 2007 through Roli Books; the work covers the subject's transition from her debut in the 1963 Tamil production Idhu Sathiyam to her established place in Hindi cinema after Sapno Ka Saudagar (1968). HarperCollins India published Hema Malini: Beyond the Dream Girl, written by Ram Kamal Mukherjee, in October 2017. Mukherjee's second biographical work includes a foreword by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and 23 chapters detailing personal and professional milestones, including her 1980 marriage to Dharmendra.
- #045
Hema Malini holds the record for the most appearances on the list of India's top-grossing female actresses, with 16 entries between 1970 and 1985. She secured the number one position for 11 years, including an unbroken eight-year run from 1972 to 1979 and a further three-year stretch from 1981 to 1983. This statistical performance establishes her as the highest-ranked female lead in film history, according to the database's longitudinal tracking.
- #046
Yash Chopra tried to cast Hema Malini during production of Sapno Ka Saudagar (1968) in 1967. Executive B. Ananthaswami requested a twelve-month delay to fulfill existing commitments. Chopra continued with the production schedule and secured Saira Banu for the role in Aadmi Aur Insaan (1969).
- #047
The trade industry recognized Malini as the most reliable female lead in Hindi cinema during the 1970s. Her rise to the top of box-office rankings began after the commercial success of Johny Mera Naam (1970) and Seeta Aur Geeta (1972). She held the leading position for eight consecutive years before a break in 1980, then reclaimed the top spot for an additional three-year cycle. This cumulative 11-year ranking remains an industry standard for longevity in the lead actress category.
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