Ever wondered how Bollywood’s Dream Girl Hema Malini kicked off her iconic career? It all started with a lucky break in her debut film, the 1968 drama Sapno Ka Saudagar, where she starred opposite the legendary Raj Kapoor. Hema Malini recently shared the fun behind-the-scenes story on the talk show Jeena Isi Ka Naam Hai, hosted by Farooq Shaikh.
Back then, Hema and her family had just moved from Delhi to Madras (now Chennai) and didn’t know many people in the film world. That’s when Hema’s mother connected with director K. Subramanyan, hoping to get her daughter some exposure. Subramanyan stepped up and organized a special show to introduce Hema to the local audience.
As it turns out, director Padma Subrahmanyam revealed that Raj Kapoor was on the hunt for fresh South Indian talent right after wrapping up his hit Sangam. He reached out to Subramanyan for recommendations, and that’s how Hema entered the picture. But there was a catch—rumors were swirling that Hema couldn’t act!
Subramanyan wasn’t fazed. He boldly told Raj Kapoor, "If this girl doesn’t shine from the start, I’ll drop ‘director’ from my name!" His confident words even made headlines, proving his faith in her skills. And guess what? Hema Malini proved everyone wrong, launching a stellar Bollywood journey.
Fast-forward to today, and Hema’s timeless classic Sholay just celebrated its 50th anniversary. The 1975 blockbuster, directed by Ramesh Sippy, remains a fan favorite. In a chat with , Hema opened up about wanting to share this gem with the younger generation.
When asked if her grandchildren have watched Sholay, Hema laughed and said, "I don’t think so, but now that it’s hit 50 years, I’ll definitely show it to them. I’ll set up a mini theatre at home one day and make them watch it together."
She also spilled some candid thoughts on her Sholay role as Basanti. Coming off the massive success of Seeta Aur Geeta, Hema felt a bit let down at first. "Ramesh Sippy told me, ‘There are so many characters, and you’re one of them.’ I wondered why I got a smaller part after my big hits," she recalled.
But Sippy convinced her otherwise, promising her character would leave a huge mark on audiences. He was spot on—Basanti’s fiery energy made Sholay unforgettable, cementing Hema Malini’s status as a Bollywood icon. What a ride for the Dream Girl!
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