Hema
Malini's
career
in
Bollywood
took
off
after
her
debut
in
the
Hindi
film,
Sapno
Ka
Saudagar,
in
1968.
She
starred
opposite
the
legendary
actor
Raj
Kapoor
and
caught
the
attention
of
both
critics
and
audiences
with
her
captivating
performance.
This
marked
the
beginning
of
a
successful
journey
for
Hema
Malini,
as
she
on
to
deliver
several
blockbuster
hits
in
the
following
years.
Known
for
her
versatility,
Hema
Malini
effortlessly
portrayed
a
wide
range
of
characters,
from
the
innocent
and
bubbly
to
the
strong
and
independent.
Some
of
her
notable
films
include
Seeta
Aur
Geeta,
Sholay,
and
Baghban,
among
many
others.
She
not
only
proved
her
prowess
as
an
actor
but
also
showcased
her
exceptional
dancing
skills,
earning
the
title
of
Bollywood's
"Dream
Girl".
Apart
from
her
acting
career,
Hema
Malini
has
also
made
significant
contributions
to
Indian
politics.
She
joined
the
Bharatiya
Janata
Party
(BJP)
and
was
elected
as
a
member
of
the
Rajya
Sabha,
the
upper
house
of
the
Indian
Parliament.
Her
dedication
and
commitment
to
both
her
artistic
and
political
pursuits
have
made
her
an
inspiration
for
many
aspiring
actors
and
politicians
alike.
Hema
Malini's
Iconic
Role
in
Sholay
Hema
Malini's
performance
as
Basanti
in
Sholay
has
become
iconic
in
Indian
cinema.
The
talkative
and
spirited
tangewali
won
the
hearts
of
the
audience
with
her
vivacious
personality
and
delightful
conversations.
Despite
being
one
of
the
main
characters
in
the
film,
it
is
notable
that
Hema
Malini's
character
never
shared
a
scene
with
Sanjeev
Kumar,
who
portrayed
Thakur.
This
creates
an
interesting
dynamic
that
adds
depth
to
the
story.Furthermore,
it
is
intriguing
to
observe
that
Thakur's
character
never
refers
to
Basanti
by
name
throughout
the
film.
This
absence
of
direct
acknowledgement
from
such
a
significant
character
adds
a
layer
of
mystery
and
emphasizes
the
distinct
individuality
of
Basanti's
character.
Despite
these
peculiarities,
Hema
Malini's
portrayal
of
Basanti
remains
etched
in
the
minds
of
viewers,
making
it
one
of
the
most
cherished
and
unforgettable
performances
in
her
illustrious
career.
The
Untold
Love
Story
and
Professional
Strife
Offscreen
drama
between
Sanjeev
Kumar
and
Hema
Malini
added
intrigue
to
their
lack
of
onscreen
interaction.
In
the
1970s,
Sanjeev
Kumar
had
reportedly
proposed
to
Hema
Malini,
but
her
mother
denied
this
proposal,
insisting
on
marrying
her
to
someone
of
the
same
caste.
Although
Hema
Malini
was
not
opposed
to
Kumar's
proposal
initially,
she
eventually
was
persuaded
by
her
mother
not
to
proceed.
This
incident
resulted
in
a
strained
relationship
between
the
two
actors.
The
tension
between
Sanjeev
Kumar
and
Hema
Malini
was
palpable,
impacting
their
professional
dynamics.
Despite
being
part
of
the
same
film
industry,
they
rarely
shared
the
screen,
leaving
audiences
curious
about
their
clash.
Behind
the
scenes,
their
failed
love
story
remained
a
topic
of
speculation,
fueling
gossip
columns
and
fan
discussions.
While
their
chemistry
onscreen
might
have
been
non-existent,
the
offscreen
drama
between
Sanjeev
Kumar
and
Hema
Malini
added
a
layer
of
complexity
to
their
interactions,
leaving
an
intriguing
mark
on
the
annals
of
Bollywood
history.
Rejection,
Heartbreak,
and
Dharmendra's
Intervention
While
filming
Sholay,
Sanjeev
Kumar
proposed
to
Hema
Malini
again.
At
that
time,
Hema
Malini
and
co-star
Dharmendra
were
in
a
relationship.
His
proposal
irked
both
Dharmendra
and
Hema,
leading
Dharmendra
to
request
director
Ramesh
Sippy
to
avoid
shooting
any
scenes
featuring
Hema
and
Sanjeev
together.
Acquiescing
to
Dharmendra's
request,
the
director
complied
owing
to
Dharmendra's
high
profile
status
in
the
industry.
This
further
deepened
the
rift
between
Hema
Malini
and
Sanjeev
Kumar,
leading
to
Hema's
rejection
of
Kumar's
proposal.
From
being
the
Dream
Girl
of
Bollywood
to
becoming
a
notable
politician,
Hema
Malini’s
journey
has
been
inspiring
and
full
of
remarkable
events.
As
she
celebrates
her
71st
birthday,
we
reminisce
her
exceptional
career
and
journey
that
is
marked
with
memorable
roles,
an
untold
love
story,
and
consistent
contributions
to
Indian
cinema.