Dinesh Kamath's article on Hema Malini

Hema Malini
Hema Malini, the veteran actress, was the cynosure of all eyes at the closing show on the third day of Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week (WIFW). Bollywood actress Esha Deol, looking beautiful in designer Rocky S' bridal lehenga-choli, also walked down the aisle. The young actress matched steps with her evergreen mother. While Esha sported a splendid maroon and green, heavily embroidered lehenga-choli, Hema stole the limelight with the grace in a similar coloured sari teamed with the embroidered burnt orange coloured blouse. Hema was later heard saying that she felt very nice walking with Esha. Esha did not look even a wee bit nervous while walking the ramp with Bollywood's 'dreamgirl'. This wasn't the first time that the mother-and-daughter duo was on the runway together. Esha was a little nervous walking in the heavy ghagra, but fortunately she had her mother to hold onto. Rocky, who is among Bollywood's favourite designers, didn't have to think twice before judging who among the mother-daughter duo looked best. He found Hema looking best. Although Esha was his friend he took Hema's side. When Esha made a sad face Rocky quickly corrected his statement and said that both of them looked gorgeous. The bridal collection worn by Hema and Esha had many admirers. The collection was astounding and as the mother, daughter strutted on the ramp, there was quite a few deep breath taken, both of them looked stunning and Esha was blushing, as she walked a tad bit carefully. Her mother was holding her arm, cleverly giving her support. Since the bridal suit that Esha wore was very heavy, her mother had to literally hold her, so that she would be able to carry herself and the outfit steadily. All in all, the show went well and at the end of the day, the show stoppers were indeed Hema and Esha.
Hema returned to the studios after almost three years with Sadiyaan. For Hema, acting is still a thrill. Hema is not doing too many films not because politics takes up a lot of her time. In fact, Politics is not a 24 X 7 job. Just because Hema is BJP vice-president now that doesn't mean she'll be at the party headquarter from dawn to midnight. She will continue with her dance and movies, since there's enough time. She is always open to good role that suits her age. But those films have to come to her since she doesn't believe in approaching producers and begging for roles.
Shatrughan Sinha was keen that Hema do Sadiyaan with his son, Luv. It was not a big role but by playing a lady from Pakistan, she got to propogate the message of peace. A recent film Lahore that also came with the same message had been banned in Pakistan. Hema feels that some people don't want peace. But, according to her, the common people in Pakistan love Indian movies and Indian movie stars. Hema is not surprised that Kareena has become the 'face' of Pakistan since she believes that Kareena is a beautiful girl. Hema herself has a lot of fans there too. Hema doesn't give herself credit for becoming the source of inspiration for many people. She humbly says the she just lived the life the way she wanted and that just happened to inspire people. Hema believes that The Women's Reservation Bill is a positive step and that more women should come into politics so that they can raise issues related to women and children.
Hema can vouch for the transformation that Dharmendra has brought about in Bikaner and other places in Rajasthan over the last five years. Hema felt pity for him because he didn't get much credit in spite of the fact that he got roads and bridges built for the people of his constituency. Hema had taken the decision to join politics in consultation with Dharmendra. The two share a lot together which is understandable since Dharmendra is Hema's husband. Dharmendra has no objection to Hema continuing in politics if it gives her pleasure and doesn't stress her out. Hema would like to take her daughters, Esha and Ahana, to meetings and wherever she is campaigning in order to attract more youngsters to politics. According to Hema, since Nana Patekar considers increasing population as our biggest problem, he should get into politics, since he is an eligible candidate, and control the population.
Hema used to find Atal Bihari Vajpayee as a dynamic leader but he at present is old and ailing. She feels that there are many young leaders like Arun Jaitley, Venkaiyah Naidu, Ravi Shanker Prasad, Rajeev Pratap Reddy, Shahnawaz Hussain and Muktar Abbas Naqvi who can take Bharatiya Janata Party forward. According to her, BJP is on the right track with Gadkari as president.
Hema considers Shatrughan Sinha as her brother and a part of her family. She admires him. Even if he says anything against her, she doesn't feel offended. Hema can't stop thanking Shatru for giving her a chance to work with her best friend Rekha in the film Sadiyaan. The two divas had last come together for Dev Anand's Censor in 2001. These two beautiful actresses ruled Bollywood in early 80s and now after a long time both came together in Luv Sinha's debut film. Shatru and Rekha are very good friends of Hema. They had always been there for each other during the good and bad phases of their lives. Hema is very fond of Rekha. Although media and fans of both Hema and Rekha consider the two as arch rivals, both the beauties share a great rapport off screen as both are from South India. They have never competed with each other. Just like Hema's mother, Rekha's mother was very keen to bring her daughter in cinema. She came to Hema first when they landed in Mumbai. Rekha's mother and Hema's mother share same birth date. Even today Rekha calls up Hema to chat. The two have very sweet bonding.
In Sadiyaan, Hema plays a role of a Pakistani woman who comes to India in search of her son whom she lost during partition. Rekha plays a Hindu, who mothers Luv like her own child. Not just Luv, but also director Raj Kanwar is happy to have the two beauties in his film and admits that Luv is very fortunate that these two actresses are working with him right in his debut film. Both Hema and Rekha take immense pride in Luv's debut. Luv was born in front of Hema. She has fond memories of rushing to the hospital to see him and his brother Kush when they were born. Thereafter too, Luv was a regular part of her life as he would come to play with her daughters, Esha and Ahana. So it was easy for Hema to play the role of mother of Luv as she considers Luv as her own son.
I've not finished with Hema. There is still a lot more I want to let you know about her. So I'll continue with Hema even tomorrow. Until then, good bye!