When it comes to iconic Bollywood love stories, Dharmendra and Hema Malini’s romance is as legendary as the films they starred in. But one particular anecdote from the making of ‘Sholay’ in 1975 continues to delight fans. This involved a cheeky trick Dharmendra allegedly used just to steal extra moments with his “Dream Girl.”
A hug worth Rs 20
By the time ‘Sholay’ went into production, Dharmendra’s admiration for Hema had grown deep. As reported by Pinkvilla, during a scene where his character teaches hers to handle a revolver, he devised a playful plan, bribing spot boys with Rs 20 each to “accidentally” disrupt the take.From dropping a reflector, stalling the trolley, or causing minor delays, they did it all just so that the actor could hug Hema again when the scene had to be reshot. It’s said he spent nearly Rs 2,000 on these interruptions, all in the name of love.Hema, rather than being annoyed, is believed to have been charmed by the gesture.
A romance with challenges
Dharmendra was already married to Prakash Kaur, who reportedly refused a divorce. In 1980, the actor made the unconventional choice to convert to Islam to legally marry the beauty. They eventually wed in a Nikah ceremony, then followed it with a traditional Iyengar wedding to honour Hema’s roots.
A lasting legacy
Today, the couple’s marriage stands as one of Bollywood’s most enduring, despite its unconventional beginnings. With Hema, Dharmendra has two daughters, Esha and Ahana Deol, while his first marriage to Prakash Kaur brought him sons Sunny and Bobby Deol, and daughters Vijeta and Ajieta.Hema has often spoken about accepting her life as it unfolded, saying in a 2023 interview that while it wasn’t the “normal family” setup she imagined, but, she is happy and proud of how she raised her children.
