Hema Malini opens up about life with Dharmendra; Family bonds, challenges, and respect for his first wife: ‘I didn’t want…’

Hema Malini and Dharmendra shared a unique love story that broke norms in Bollywood. When the legendary actor tied the knot with Hema, he was already married to Prakash Kaur and had four children. Hema, who met Prakash before marrying Dharmendra, chose to maintain her distance after the marriage, living separately with her two daughters, Esha and Ahana. Despite the unusual arrangement, Dharmendra frequently visited Hema and their daughters, ensuring a strong fatherly presence.

Meeting Dharmendra’s mother

In her biography, Hema Malini: Beyond The Dream Girl, Hema shared a touching memory of meeting her mother-in-law, Satwant Kaur, after the birth of Esha. “Dharamji’s mother, Satwant Kaur, was equally warm and kind-hearted. I remember how she came to meet me once at a dubbing studio in Juhu after I had conceived Esha. She hadn’t informed anyone in the house. I touched her feet, and she hugged me and said, ‘Beta, khush raho hamesha (Be happy always).’ I was happy that they were happy with me,” she wrote.

Hema’s relationship with Dharmendra’s father, Kewal Kishan Singh Deol, was equally cordial. She recalled how he would visit her father for tea and engage in playful arm-wrestling matches, creating joyful memories that reflected his jovial nature.

Why Hema chose not to meet Prakash Kaur

Hema explained her decision to avoid contact with Dharmendra’s first wife. “I didn’t want to disturb anyone,” she said. “I am happy with whatever Dharamji did for my daughters and me. He played the role of a father, as any father would do. I guess I am happy with that. Today, I am a working woman, and I have been able to maintain my dignity because I have devoted my life to art and culture.”

Hema acknowledged that living separately from Dharmendra’s first family wasn’t ideal. “Nobody wants to be like that; it happens. Automatically, what happens, you have to accept. Every woman wants to have a husband, children, and a normal family. But somewhere, it went out of the way… I am happy with myself. I have my two children, and I have brought them up very well,” she said.

Prakash Kaur’s perspective on Hema Malini and Dharmendra

Dharmendra’s first wife, Prakash Kaur, shared her thoughts about the unconventional situation in a 1981 interview. While she did not approve of Hema marrying her husband, she defended Dharmendra against criticism. “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 said.

Prakash acknowledged Hema’s challenges, admitting that she understood the public scrutiny and personal struggles Hema faced but personally would not have made the same choice.