Hema Malini on Prakash Kaur: The death of legendary Bollywood actor Dharmendra has shocked both the industry and the general public. Even seven days after his death, people are still recovering from their grief.
Dharmendra and Prakash Kaur’s Marriage
Let us tell you that Dharmendra married Prakash Kaur in 1954 at the age of just 19. At that time, he was far removed from the world of films and glamour. Growing up in Phagwara, Punjab, Dharmendra’s fortunes changed when he won the Filmfare Talent Hunt competition in 1959.
Dharmendra made his Bollywood debut in 1960. This victory paved the way for Dharmendra to move to Mumbai. He began his acting career in 1960 with the film “Dil Bhi Tera Hum Bhi Tere.” The following decade proved to be a golden period in his career. Dharmendra and Prakash Kaur have four children: Sunny Deol (born 1957), Vijeta (born 1962), Ajita (born 1966), and Bobby Deol (born 1969).
Hema Malini’s entry and the beginning of love
Dharmendra and Hema Malini first appeared together in the 1970 film “Tum Haseen Main Jawan.” They subsequently starred in numerous blockbuster films. Their pairing was well-received in films like “Sharafat” (1970), “Naye Zamana” (1971), “Seeta Aur Geeta” (1972), “Jugnu” (1973), “Dost” (1974), and “Sholay” (1975).
Dharmendra and Hema Malini’s on-screen pairing was so well-liked that speculation about their relationship in real life also intensified. It was even said that Dharmendra accepted the role of Veeru in Sholay so that he could spend more time with Hema Malini.
Dharmendra and Hema Malini’s marriage and controversy
Finally, in 1980, Dharmendra and Hema Malini married, proving all the rumours to be true. However, this decision was surrounded by controversy. During that time, Prakash Kaur, speaking to the media for the first and last time, said, “Dharmendra isn’t a perfect husband, but he’s a wonderful father. Hema Malini is absolutely beautiful. Any man would be attracted to her.”
After this, Prakash Kaur and Hema Malini mutually decided to maintain distance, although they had met before.
Hema Malini had maintained a distance from Prakash Kaur
Respecting the decision of Dharmendra’s first wife, Prakash Kaur, Hema Malini always maintained her boundaries. She never tried to interfere with Dharmendra’s responsibilities or his family life.
In a 1999 interview with Simi Grewal, Hema Malini stated that she never competed with her co-wife Prakash Kaur or tried to disrupt Dharmendra’s family. She never tried to interfere in Prakash Kaur and Dharmendra’s relationship.
‘What’s the point of torturing someone you love?’
Hema Malini said in an old interview, “When you truly love someone and that’s what you get, why bother them over small things? I never irritated them or pressured them. I understood their situation.”
When Hema Malini was asked if she had any grudges against Prakash Kaur or her family, she bluntly replied, “Absolutely not. If I had any bitterness in my heart, I wouldn’t be so happy today. What’s the point of torturing someone you love?”
Hema Malini stated that she never tried to compete with Prakash Kaur or interfere with Dharmendra’s current home. She said, “If you love someone deeply and receive so much love from them, how can you torture them over such trivial matters?”
‘I have always maintained my dignity and respect’
Hema Malini said, “I never harassed Prakash Kaur or her family. I understood their problems. When I give a lot, I get a lot in return.”
In her biography, “Hema Malini: The Dream Girl,” she wrote, “I never wanted to hurt anyone. Dharmendra did everything for my daughters and me, just like any other father. I always maintained my dignity and respect. I always had respect for Prakash Kaur, and my daughters also respect her family.”
Esha Deol and Prakash Kaur meet
Although Hema Malini and Prakash Kaur maintain a distance, their families crossed paths once in 2015. Reportedly, Dharmendra’s brother, Ajit Singh Deol, was seriously ill, and Esha Deol visited him at his home. It was there that she met her stepmother, Prakash Kaur. Esha Deol stated in an interview, “I touched Prakash Kaur’s feet. She blessed me, and I left.”