Bollywood Fairytales: Hema Malini's love to Dharmendra converting to Islam for marriage, their story resembles a Hindi film

Dharmendra and Hema Malini. Pic/Google

Hema Malini has been the 'Dream Girl' of many. While her fans also include industry celebrities, the veteran actress' heart beats for none other than the He-Man of Bollywood, Dharmendra. Complex as it sounds, their love stood the test of time and braved many odds over the years. Hema Malini and Dharmendra's love story isn't less than a classic Bollywood film where the hero and heroine have to clear several obstacles to emerge victorious.

According to reports, Hema, the Dream Girl of Bollywood, had once ruled Jeetendra's heart. If reports are to go by, they fell in love in 1970 on the sets of Tum Haseen Main Jawan. Reportedly, they came very close to tying the knot. However, she found a place in Dharmendra's heart. Despite being married to Prakash Kaur and having two children with her, the actor pursued Hema for marriage. The actress-dancer wasn't reciprocating Dharmendra's feelings as she didn't want to create an obstacle in his married life.

Dharmendra and Hema Malini

Eventually, she fell in love with Dharmendra and tied the knot in 1980. Since he was married to Prakash and didn't want a divorce, the veteran actor reportedly converted to Islam before the wedding. On the other hand, Hema's father opposed the proposal as he wasn't in favour of his daughter marrying a married man. While the couple got married after her father's demise, her mother wasn't happy. They converted to Islam and got married against their families' wishes. Later, they had an Iyengar-style wedding too.

According to reports, Hema said in a previous interview that she fell in love with Dharmendra due to the song, Main Jat Yamla Pagla Deewana. A dancer herself, she had called his dance moves cute. There were rumours that Dharamendra lured the light boys with money on the set of Sholay to disturb the lights during a scene. That gave him multiple chances to hold Hema.

Dharmendra and Hema Malini

In an interview in 1976, Hema reportedly revealed, "We start each day with a fight. We are fighting all the time. It is he who normally gives in and then we make up. Early in the morning when he comes to see me, he asks, ‘Why do you have a long face today and why are you spoiling my mood early in the morning?' As if I can help it, I am born with a face like this. Then we fight." Dharmendra had said, "I object to certain… poses… with the other heroes, you know." Reacting to him, Hema Malini had then said, "As if I can't object! So many times I have caught him in all kinds of pictures with all kinds of people. And he said, ‘It was only for the picture, there was nothing real in it'." However, they also expressed their love for each other as Dharmendra had said, "I am scared of what will happen to me if we ever part." To this, Hema Malini had replied, "I will never let anyone break this. From my side, at least, it is forever."

Hema and Dharmendra have two daughters together. Their elder child, Esha Deol, is an actor. She is married to Bharat Takhtani and has two daughters. Ahana Deol is the couple's youngest child. She stays away from the limelight and is a dancer like her mother.

Dharmendra and Prakash Kaur have 4 children. While Sunny Deol and Bobby Deol are actors like their father, the daughters- Ajeeta and Vijeta- are not a part of showbiz.