Like a bright star that has continued to shine across cinema, dance, and public life, Hema Malini has built a career that few artists can match.
She was born on October 16, 1948 (77 years old) in Ammankudi, Tamil Nadu. She is best known as an actress, filmmaker, classical dancer, and politician. Her charm, screen appeal, and acting skills soon earned her the title of Bollywood’s “Dream Girl.”
Hema became one of the best-known actresses in Hindi cinema. Her popular films include Johnny Mera Naam, Seeta Aur Geeta, Sholay, Dream Girl, and Baghban. She won the Filmfare Award for Best Actress for her double role in Seeta Aur Geeta.
Beyond acting, she has worked as a producer and director and has performed Bharatanatyam on stage. In 2000, the Government of India honoured her with the Padma Shri for her contribution to cinema.
Quick Facts of Hema Malini
| Full Name | Hema Malini Dharmendra Deol |
| Profession | Actress, film producer, director, classical dancer, and politician |
| Age | 77 years old |
| Date of Birth | October 16, 1948 |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Zodiac/Sun Sign | Libra |
| Birthplace | Ammankudi, Tamil Nadu, India |
| Current Address | Mumbai, Maharashtra, India |
| Gender | Female |
Hema Malini Early Life and Education
Hema Malini was born in Ammankudi, Tamil Nadu. She was born into a Tamil Iyengar family.
Her mother supported her interest in Indian classical dance from a young age. She received training in Bharatanatyam and later learned other dance forms, including Kuchipudi and Mohiniyattam.
Her dance training helped her take part in stage performances before she became a leading film actress.
Education
Hema attended the Andhra Mahila Sabha in Chennai. She also studied at DTEA Senior Secondary School on Mandir Marg in New Delhi.
She studied until Class 11 before focusing on acting and dance. However, her highest qualification is 10th pass.
| School | DTEA Senior Secondary School |
| Highest Qualification | 10th pass |
Hema Malini Personal Life
Hema Malini married Indian actor Dharmendra in 1980. They acted together in many Hindi films before their marriage.
Dharmendra passed away on November 24, 2025, at the age of 89. Hema is now widowed.
Children
The couple had two daughters.
Their elder daughter, Esha Deol, was born in 1981, and their younger daughter, Ahana Deol, was born in 1985. Both daughters received training in Indian classical dance.
Family
Hema Malini was born into a Tamil Iyengar family. Her family supported her training in classical dance and her work in films.
Father
Her father was V. S. R. Chakravarti Iyengar. He passed away in 1978.
Mother
Her mother was Jaya Lakshmi Chakravarti. She helped manage Hema Malini’s early film work and supported her dance training. She also passed away in 2004.
Siblings
Hema Malini has two elder brothers. Their names are listed as yet to be updated.
| Relationship Status | Widowed |
| Husband | (Late) Dharmendra |
| Children | Daughters: Esha Deol and Ahana Deol |
| Parents | Father: V. S. R. Chakravarti Iyengar Mother: Jaya Lakshmi Chakravarti |
| Siblings | Brothers: Yet to be updated |
Hema Malini Career
Hema Malini started her screen career with small roles in South Indian cinema. She appeared as a dancer in the Tamil film Idhu Sathiyam and had a brief role in the Telugu film Pandava Vanavasam in 1965. These appearances came before her Hindi film debut.
1968 to 1969: Hindi Film Debut
Hema Malini received her first lead Hindi film role in Sapno Ka Saudagar in 1968. She acted opposite Raj Kapoor. The film introduced her with the title “Dream Girl,” which later became closely linked with her name.
1970 to 1974: Rise as a Leading Actress
Her role opposite Dev Anand in Johnny Mera Naam in 1970 brought her wider recognition. She then acted with Shammi Kapoor in Andaz and with Raaj Kumar, Raakhee, and Vinod Mehra in Lal Patthar.
In 1972, she played the twin roles of Seeta and Geeta in Seeta Aur Geeta. The film also starred Dharmendra and Sanjeev Kumar. Her performance won her the Filmfare Award for Best Actress.
During this period, she also worked with Dev Anand in films such as Chhupa Rustam, Shareef Badmaash, and Amir Garib. She acted with Dharmendra in Sharafat, Tum Haseen Main Jawan, Naya Zamana, Raja Jani, Jugnu, and Patthar Aur Payal.
1975 to 1979: Major Commercial Films
In 1975, Hema Malini played Basanti in Sholay. The film featured Dharmendra, Amitabh Bachchan, Sanjeev Kumar, Jaya Bhaduri, and Amjad Khan. Basanti became one of her best-known film characters.
She also acted with Manoj Kumar in Sanyasi, Feroz Khan in Dharmatma, and Dharmendra in Pratigya.
Her other films from this period included Mehbooba with Rajesh Khanna, Kinara with Jeetendra, Dream Girl with Dharmendra, and Trishul with Amitabh Bachchan, Shashi Kapoor, Sanjeev Kumar, and Raakhee.
Hema and Dharmendra became a popular film pair. They worked together in many films, including Sholay, Seeta Aur Geeta, Jugnu, Charas, Azaad, and Dillagi.
1980 to 1989: Continued Film Work
Hema Malini continued playing lead roles after her marriage. She appeared in The Burning Train with Dharmendra, Vinod Khanna, Jeetendra, and Parveen Babi.
She later worked in Kranti with Dilip Kumar, Manoj Kumar, Shashi Kapoor, and Shatrughan Sinha.
She acted opposite Amitabh Bachchan in Naseeb and Satte Pe Satta. She also worked with Dharmendra in Alibaba Aur 40 Chor, Baghavat, Samraat, Razia Sultan, and Raaj Tilak.
Her films with Rajesh Khanna during this period included Dard, Kudrat, Rajput, Babu, and Durgaa. She also acted with Vinod Khanna and Naseeruddin Shah in Rihaee.
1990 to 1999: Direction, Production, and Television
In 1990, Hema Malini appeared in Jamai Raja with Anil Kapoor and Madhuri Dixit. She later moved into direction and production.
She directed and produced Dil Aashna Hai, released in 1992. The film starred Divya Bharti, Shah Rukh Khan, Jeetendra, Mithun Chakraborty, Dimple Kapadia, and Amrita Singh. She also directed and produced Mohini in 1995. The film featured her niece Madhoo and actor Sudesh Berry.
Hema later focused more on classical dance and television productions. She returned to the cinema in Himalay Putra in 1997, which starred Akshaye Khanna and Vinod Khanna.
2000 to 2009: Return to Major Films
Hema Malini appeared in Hey Ram in 2000 with Kamal Haasan, Shah Rukh Khan, and Rani Mukerji.
She made a strong return as a lead actress in Baghban in 2003. She played Amitabh Bachchan’s wife.
The film also featured Salman Khan, Mahima Chaudhry, Aman Verma, and Samir Soni. Her performance earned her another Filmfare Best Actress nomination.
She later appeared in Veer-Zaara with Shah Rukh Khan, Preity Zinta, and Rani Mukerji.
In Baabul, she worked with Amitabh Bachchan, Salman Khan, Rani Mukerji, and John Abraham.
2010 to 2020: Later Films and Direction
In 2010, Hema Malini appeared in Sadiyaan with Rekha, Rishi Kapoor, and Luv Sinha.
She directed and produced Tell Me O Kkhuda in 2011. The film starred her daughter Esha Deol, Dharmendra, Arjan Bajwa, and Rishi Kapoor.
She directed and produced Tell Me O Kkhuda in 2011. The film starred her daughter Esha Deol, Dharmendra, Arjan Bajwa, and Rishi Kapoor.
In 2017, she played Gautami Balashri in the Telugu film Gautamiputra Satakarni with Nandamuri Balakrishna and Shriya Saran. She also appeared with Vinod Khanna in Ek Thi Rani Aisi Bhi.
Her most recently released film is Shimla Mirchi, which reached cinemas in January 2020. It featured Rajkummar Rao and Rakul Preet Singh.
2003 to Present: Political Career
Hema Malini joined the Bharatiya Janata Party in 2003. She served in the Rajya Sabha and later entered the Lok Sabha.
She won the Mathura Lok Sabha seat in 2014. She retained the seat in the 2019 and 2024 general elections. She is currently serving as the Lok Sabha member from Mathura.
Dance and Stage Work
Hema Malini is also a trained Bharatanatyam dancer. She has performed in stage productions based on Indian mythology and religious stories. She has performed with her daughters, Esha Deol and Ahana Deol, at several cultural events.
Recently, the film industry marked her completion of 60 years in cinema with a concert in Mumbai. Actors and film personalities attended the event to honour her screen and dance work.
Hema Malini Awards and Achievements
Here are the major achievements of Hema Malini:
Key Wins
- Filmfare Award for Best Actress (1973): Won for her iconic double role in Seeta Aur Geeta.
- Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award (2000): Awarded for her long-standing, monumental dedication to the Hindi film industry.
- Padma Shri (2000): India’s fourth-highest civilian honour for her contributions to Indian cinema.
- Star Screen Award (2004): Won Jodi No. 1 alongside Amitabh Bachchan for Baghban.
- Bollywood Movie Award (2004): Won Most Sensational Actress for her performance in Baghban.
- Filmfare Special Award (2019): Honoured for 50 Years of Outstanding Contribution to Cinema.
- Chetak Screen Awards (2026): Honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award.
Key Nominations
Hema holds the distinction of being nominated for the Filmfare Best Actress Award 11 times:
- Seeta Aur Geeta (1972): Nominated for her dual role as Seeta and Geeta; she won the Filmfare Award for Best Actress at the 1973 ceremony.
- Amir Garib (1974): Nominated for her role as Soni.
- Prem Nagar (1974): Nominated for her performance as Lata.
- Khushboo (1975): Received a Filmfare Best Actress nomination.
- Sanyasi (1975): Nominated for her performance as Aarti.
- Mehbooba (1976): Nominated for her dual-incarnation role.
- Kinara (1977): Nominated for her performance as Aarti Sanyal.
- Meera (1979): Nominated for her portrayal of the saint-poet Meera.
- Naseeb (1981): Nominated for her role as Asha.
- Rihaee (1991): Nominated for her performance as Taku.
- Baghban (2003): Nominated for her role as Pooja Malhotra.
Hema Malini Controversies
- 2015 Car Accident and Public Criticism: In July 2015, a Mercedes carrying Hema Malini collided with a Maruti Alto near Dausa, Rajasthan. A two-year-old girl died, while other members of the family and Hema Malini were injured. Hema Malini faced criticism after she left for a hospital without assisting the people travelling in the other car. She later caused further anger by posting that the child’s father should have followed traffic rules. Critics accused her of blaming the victim’s family.
Hema Malini Net Worth
Hema Malini’s estimated net worth is around ₹135.31 crore ($14 million).
| Net Worth (Approx.) | ₹135.31 crore ($14 million) |
Hema Malini Height, Weight, and Physical Stats
Below are the physical stats of Hema Malini:
| Height | In centimetres: 168 cm In metres: 1.68 m In feet and inches: 5 feet 6 inches |
| Weight | In kg: 60 kg-65 kg In lbs: 132 lbs-143 lbs |
| Body Measurements | 34-30-36 inches |
| Hair Colour | Black |
| Eye Colour | Dark brown |
Interesting Facts About Hema Malini
- A prominent Tamil director rejected a young Hema Malini for a role because he believed she lacked “star material” and was too thin.
- She studied at DTEA Mandir Marg until the 11th standard before pursuing her acting career, but was later awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Philosophy in 2012.
- She played the on-screen love interest of five generations of the Kapoor family, ranging from Raj Kapoor to Rishi Kapoor.
- She was on the verge of a secret wedding with actor Jeetendra until Dharmendra flew to Chennai to stop the ceremony.
- She gave Shah Rukh Khan his very first film contract when she cast him in her directorial debut, Dil Aashna Hai.
- After her early rejection, her mother intentionally dressed her in heavy sarees to make her look older and more substantial for auditions.
- She shattered contemporary fashion norms in 1970s Bollywood by actively popularising western bell-bottoms and high-collared shirts on screen.
Hema Malini Social Media
 @dreamgirlhemamalini | |
| X |  @dreamgirlhema |
 @dreamgirlhemamalini |
FAQs
How old is Hema Malini?
Hema Malini is 77 years old. She was born on October 16, 1948, in Ammankudi, Tamil Nadu.
Why is Hema Malini called the Dream Girl?
She was introduced as the “Dream Girl” during the promotion of her first lead Hindi film, Sapno Ka Saudagar, in 1968. The title remained closely linked with her throughout her career.
Who was the husband of Hema Malini?
Hema Malini married actor Dharmendra on 2 May 1980. Dharmendra died on 24 November 2025 at the age of 89.
How many children does Hema Malini have?
Hema Malini has two daughters with Dharmendra. Their names are Esha Deol and Ahana Deol.
What are the best-known films of Hema Malini?
Hema Malini’s best-known films include Johnny Mera Naam, Seeta Aur Geeta, Sholay, Dream Girl, Satte Pe Satta, Baghban, and Veer-Zaara.
Which award did Hema Malini win for Seeta Aur Geeta?
Hema Malini won the Filmfare Award for Best Actress in 1973 for playing the twin roles of Seeta and Geeta.
Did Hema Malini receive the Padma Shri?
Yes, the Government of India awarded Hema Malini the Padma Shri in 2000 for her contribution to cinema.
Is Hema Malini a trained dancer?
Yes, Hema Malini is trained in Bharatanatyam. She has also studied Kuchipudi and Mohiniattam and has performed in many cultural stage productions.
Is Hema Malini active in politics?
Yes, Hema Malini is a Bharatiya Janata Party politician and a Lok Sabha member from Mathura. She won the constituency in 2014, 2019, and 2024.
What is the latest film of Hema Malini?
Hema Malini’s latest released film is Shimla Mirchi, which was released in 2020. It also starred Rajkummar Rao and Rakul Preet Singh.
