Hema Malini (born 16 October 1948) is an Indian actress, director, producer, and politician who is currently serving as a member of the Lok Sabha from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), representing Mathura constituency since 2014. She was a member of the Rajya Sabha from Karnataka from 2011 to 2012, subsequent to her nomination to that chamber from 2003 to 2009 as a member of the BJP. Primarily known for her work in Hindi films, she has starred in both comic and dramatic roles, and is one of the most popular and successful leading actresses of mainstream Hindi cinema.Malini made her acting debut in 1963 with the Tamil film Idhu Sathiyam. Malini first acted in a lead role in Sapno Ka Saudagar (1968), and went on to feature in numerous Hindi films, frequently opposite Dharmendra, whom she married in 1980. Malini was initially promoted as the "Dream Girl", and in 1977 starred in a film of the same name. She won the Filmfare Award for Best Actress for her dual role in the comedy Seeta Aur Geeta (1972), and was nominated ten more times leading up to Baghban (2003). In 2000, Malini won the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award and in 2019 a Filmfare Special Award for 50 Years of Outstanding Contribution to Cinema.Malini was honoured with the Padma Shri in 2000, the fourth-highest civilian honour awarded by the Government of India. In 2012, the Sir Padampat Singhania University conferred an honorary doctorate on Malini in recognition of her contribution to Indian cinema. Malini served as chairperson of the National Film Development Corporation. In 2006, Malini received the Sopori Academy of Music And Performing Arts (SaMaPa) Vitasta award from Bhajan Sopori in Delhi for her contribution and service to Indian culture and dance. In 2013, she received the NTR National Award from the Government of Andhra Pradesh for her contribution to Indian cinema. Malini has been involved with charitable and social ventures. Currently, Malini is also a life member of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON).

Early life and family

Malini was born in a Tamil Iyengar Brahmin family to Jaya Lakshmi and VSR Chakravarti Iyengar in Ammankudi, Madras Province (now Tamil Nadu). She attended the Andhra Mahila Sabha in Chennai, where her favourite subject was history. She studied at DTEA Mandir Marg until the 11th Standard, after which she pursued her acting career.Her first film with Dharmendra was ''Tum Haseen Main Jawaan'' (1970). They later married in 1980. Dharmendra already had two sons and two daughters with his first wife Prakash Kaur, two of whom later became Bollywood actors – Sunny Deol and Bobby Deol. Malini and Dharmendra have two children, Esha Deol (born 1981) and Ahana Deol (born 1985).Madhoo, who played the female lead in ''Phool Aur Kaante'', ''Roja'' and ''Annayya'', is Malini's niece.On 11 June 2015, Malini became a first-time grandmother when her younger daughter, Ahana Deol, gave birth to her first child, Darien Vohra. On 19 October 2017, she became a grandmother for the second time when her elder daughter, Esha Deol Takhtani, gave birth to a girl, Radhya Takhtani.

Film career

Malini had played small roles in ''Pandava Vanavasam'' (1965) and ''Idhu Sathiyam'' (1962). In 1968, she was chosen to play the lead opposite Raj Kapoor in ''Sapno Ka Saudagar'' and was promoted as the Dream Girl.Malini played the lead in ''Johnny Mera Naam'' (1970). Roles in subsequent films such as (1971) and ''Lal Patthar'' (1971) established her as a leading actress. In 1972, she played a double role opposite Dharmendra and Sanjeev Kumar in ''Seeta Aur Geeta'', which earned her a Filmfare Best Actress Award for the film. The list of successful films she starred include ''Sanyasi'', ''Dharmatma'' and ''Pratigya'', ''Sholay'', ''Trishul'' to name a few.Malini and Dharmendra acted together in 28 films including ''Sharafat'', ''Tum Haseen Main Jawan'', ''Naya Zamana'', ''Raja Jani'', ''Seeta Aur Geeta'', ''Patthar Aur Payal'', ''Dost'' (1974), ''Sholay'' (1975), ''Charas'', ''Jugnu'', ''Apna Khoon'', ''Azaad'' (1978) and ''Dillagi'' (1978).Her chemistry with Rajesh Khanna was appreciated in and ''Prem Nagar''. Their subsequent films such as ''Mehbooba'' and ''Janta Hawaldar'' did not, however, do well at the box office.In the 80s Malini continued to star in big budget films such as ''Kranti'', ''Naseeb'', ''Satte Pe Satta'' and ''Rajput'', most of which proved successful at the box office. She continued to work in heroine-centric roles after becoming a mother in films such as ''Aandhi Toofan'', ''Durgaa'', ''Ramkali'', ''Sitapur Ki Geeta'', ''Ek Chadar Maili Si'', ''Rihaee'' and ''Jamai Raja''.During this period, her films with Dharmendra included ''Alibaba Aur 40 Chor'', ''Baghavat'', ''Samraat'', ''Razia Sultan'', ''Baghavat'', and ''Raaj Tilak''. She continued to be paired with Rajesh Khanna in movies such as ''Dard'', ''Bandish'', ''Kudrat'', ''Hum Dono'', ''Rajput'', ''Babu'', ''Durgaa'', ''Sitapur Ki Geeta'' and ''Paap Ka Ant'', some of which were major successes in her career.In the 1990s, she produced and directed the 1992 film ''Dil Aashna Hai'', starring Divya Bharti and Shah Rukh Khan in the leading roles. She also produced and directed her second feature film ''Mohini'' (1995), starring her niece Madhoo and actor Sudesh Berry in the leading roles. She then focused on dancing and television work, only occasionally appearing in films.During this period, her films with Dharmendra included ''Alibaba Aur 40 Chor'', ''Baghavat'', ''Samraat'', ''Razia Sultan'', ''Baghavat'', and ''Raaj Tilak''. She continued to be paired with Rajesh Khanna in movies such as ''Dard'', ''Bandish'', ''Kudrat'', ''Hum Dono'', ''Rajput'', ''Babu'', ''Durgaa'', ''Sitapur Ki Geeta'' and ''Paap Ka Ant'', some of which were major successes in her career.In the 1990s, she produced and directed the 1992 film ''Dil Aashna Hai'', starring Divya Bharti and Shah Rukh Khan in the leading roles. She also produced and directed her second feature film ''Mohini'' (1995), starring her niece Madhoo and actor Sudesh Berry in the leading roles. She then focused on dancing and television work, only occasionally appearing in films. In 1997, she acted in Vinod Khanna's production ''Himalay Putra''.After taking a break from films for a number of years, Malini made a comeback with ''Baghban'' (2003), for which she earned a Filmfare Best Actress Award nomination. She also made guest appearances in the 2004 film ''Veer-Zaara'' and the 2007 film ''Laaga Chunari Mein Daag'', in addition to a supporting role in the 2006 film ''Baabul''. In 2010, she acted in ''Sadiyaan'' alongside fellow veteran actress Rekha. In 2011, she produced and directed her third feature film ''Tell Me O Khuda'' which featured both her husband Dharmendra and her daughter Esha Deol, which was a box office failure. In 2017 she acted in the film ''Ek Thi Rani Aisi Bhi'' in the role of Vijaya Raje Scindia of Gwalior, with Vinod Khanna as her husband; unfortunately it was Khanna's last film. The film was directed by Gul Bahar Singh. The film was released on 21 April 2017. Her latest film is ''Shimla Mirchi'', starring Rajkummar Rao and Rakul Preet Singh. The movie was theatrically released in India on 3 January 2020 and made available on Netflix on 27 January 2020.In 2021, she was honoured with the Indian Film Personality of the Year Award at the 52nd International Film Festival of India. The movie was theatrically released in India on 3 January 2020 and made available on Netflix on 27 January 2020.In 2021, she was honoured with the Indian Film Personality of the Year Award at the 52nd International Film Festival of India.

1960–1970 (Early work)

Malini had played small roles in ''Pandava Vanavasam'' (1965) and ''Idhu Sathiyam'' (1962). In 1968, she was chosen to play the lead opposite Raj Kapoor in ''Sapno Ka Saudagar'' and was promoted as the Dream Girl.

1980–1997 (Commercial success)

In the 80s Malini continued to star in big budget films such as ''Kranti'', ''Naseeb'', ''Satte Pe Satta'' and ''Rajput'', most of which proved successful at the box office. She continued to work in heroine-centric roles after becoming a mother in films such as ''Aandhi Toofan'', ''Durgaa'', ''Ramkali'', ''Sitapur Ki Geeta'', ''Ek Chadar Maili Si'', ''Rihaee'' and ''Jamai Raja''.During this period, her films with Dharmendra included ''Alibaba Aur 40 Chor'', ''Baghavat'', ''Samraat'', ''Razia Sultan'', ''Baghavat'', and ''Raaj Tilak''. She continued to be paired with Rajesh Khanna in movies such as ''Dard'', ''Bandish'', ''Kudrat'', ''Hum Dono'', ''Rajput'', ''Babu'', ''Durgaa'', ''Sitapur Ki Geeta'' and ''Paap Ka Ant'', some of which were major successes in her career.In the 1990s, she produced and directed the 1992 film ''Dil Aashna Hai'', starring Divya Bharti and Shah Rukh Khan in the leading roles. She also produced and directed her second feature film ''Mohini'' (1995), starring her niece Madhoo and actor Sudesh Berry in the leading roles. She then focused on dancing and television work, only occasionally appearing in films.During this period, her films with Dharmendra included ''Alibaba Aur 40 Chor'', ''Baghavat'', ''Samraat'', ''Razia Sultan'', ''Baghavat'', and ''Raaj Tilak''. She continued to be paired with Rajesh Khanna in movies such as ''Dard'', ''Bandish'', ''Kudrat'', ''Hum Dono'', ''Rajput'', ''Babu'', ''Durgaa'', ''Sitapur Ki Geeta'' and ''Paap Ka Ant'', some of which were major successes in her career.In the 1990s, she produced and directed the 1992 film ''Dil Aashna Hai'', starring Divya Bharti and Shah Rukh Khan in the leading roles. She also produced and directed her second feature film ''Mohini'' (1995), starring her niece Madhoo and actor Sudesh Berry in the leading roles. She then focused on dancing and television work, only occasionally appearing in films. In 1997, she acted in Vinod Khanna's production ''Himalay Putra''.

2000(s)–present

After taking a break from films for a number of years, Malini made a comeback with ''Baghban'' (2003), for which she earned a Filmfare Best Actress Award nomination. She also made guest appearances in the 2004 film ''Veer-Zaara'' and the 2007 film ''Laaga Chunari Mein Daag'', in addition to a supporting role in the 2006 film ''Baabul''. In 2010, she acted in ''Sadiyaan'' alongside fellow veteran actress Rekha. In 2011, she produced and directed her third feature film ''Tell Me O Khuda'' which featured both her husband Dharmendra and her daughter Esha Deol, which was a box office failure. In 2017 she acted in the film ''Ek Thi Rani Aisi Bhi'' in the role of Vijaya Raje Scindia of Gwalior, with Vinod Khanna as her husband; unfortunately it was Khanna's last film. The film was directed by Gul Bahar Singh. The film was released on 21 April 2017. Her latest film is ''Shimla Mirchi'', starring Rajkummar Rao and Rakul Preet Singh. The movie was theatrically released in India on 3 January 2020 and made available on Netflix on 27 January 2020.In 2021, she was honoured with the Indian Film Personality of the Year Award at the 52nd International Film Festival of India. The movie was theatrically released in India on 3 January 2020 and made available on Netflix on 27 January 2020.In 2021, she was honoured with the Indian Film Personality of the Year Award at the 52nd International Film Festival of India.

Political career

In 1999, Malini campaigned for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate, Vinod Khanna, a former Bollywood actor, in the Lok Sabha Elections in Gurdaspur, Punjab. In February 2004, Malini officially joined the BJP. From 2003 to 2009, she served as an MP to the upper housethe Rajya Sabha, having been nominated by the then President of India, Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam. In March 2010, Malini was made general secretary of the BJP, and in February 2011, she was recommended by Ananth Kumar, the party general secretary. In the 2014 general elections for the Lok Sabha, Malini defeated the Mathura incumbent, Jayant Chaudhary (RLD) by 3,30,743 votes.

Controversy

In 2016 the Bombay High Court entertained a Public Interest Litigation challenging allotment of a plot of land in Mumbai to Malini's dance academy. The petitioner Ketan Tirodkar sought to file a cheating case against the actress for defrauding the government to allot a piece of land which was reserved for gardens. The State Government of Maharashtra informed the Bombay High Court that Malini had not yet accepted the land allotted to her.

Other works

She also performed with her daughters at the Khajuraho Dance Festival.Malini studied Kuchipudi with Vempati Chinna Satyam and Mohiniattam with Kalamandalam Guru Gopalakrishnan. She has played a number of dance roles including Narasimha and Rama in Tulasidas's ''Ramcharitmanas''. In 2007, she performed in Mysuru on the eve of Dussehra, where she played the roles of Sati, Parvati and Durga.Malini owns the Natya Vihar Kalakendra dance school.Malini has appeared in television serials such as ''Jai Mata Ki'' (2000), directed by Puneet Issar. She played the role of goddess Durga. Other television series appearances include ''Kamini Damini'' on Sahara One where she played twin sisters and ''Noopur'' which Malini directed and in which she played a Bharatanatyam dancer. Malini also starred in ''Yug'', a fictional series depicting the story of Indian freedom fighters and their struggle to win freedom for India.Malini was the editor of ''New Woman'' and ''Meri Saheli'', Hindi women's magazine. In 2000, Malini was appointed as the first female chairperson of the National Film Development Corporation for a term of three years.In 2007, Malini entered a promotional contract with Kent RO Systems, makers of a mineral water purifier system. Malini also became a brand ambassador for Pothys, a textile showroom in Chennai.

Production and promotional work

Malini was the editor of ''New Woman'' and ''Meri Saheli'', Hindi women's magazine. In 2000, Malini was appointed as the first female chairperson of the National Film Development Corporation for a term of three years.In 2007, Malini entered a promotional contract with Kent RO Systems, makers of a mineral water purifier system. Malini also became a brand ambassador for Pothys, a textile showroom in Chennai.