Hema Malini and Dharmendra’s love story is one of Bollywood’s most talked-about unions—marked not just by romance, but also by resilience and unconventional choices. While their on-screen chemistry captivated millions, their real-life relationship came with its share of complexities.
Married Yet Living Apart
The couple, who tied the knot in 1980, have shared over four decades of marriage. While the couple remains happily married, Dharmendra continues to live with his first wife, Prakash Kaur, and their children. In a recent interview with Lehren, Hema Malini spoke candidly about her relationship with Dharmendra and the reason behind living separately.
‘Not the Life I Imagined,’ Says Hema
In an old interview with Lehren, Hema reflected on her unconventional marriage with Dharmendra, sharing that it wasn’t a life she had envisioned. She explained that while every woman hopes for a traditional family setup, certain situations unfold unexpectedly, and acceptance becomes the only way forward.
No Regrets, Only Gratitude
The veteran star further shared that she holds no regrets about the way her life turned out. She expressed contentment in raising her two daughters and highlighted that Dharmendra has always been a part of their lives. She also recalled how he was especially concerned about their daughters getting married at the right time—something she believed would happen naturally when the moment was right.According to Hema’s autobiography Hema Malini: Beyond The Dream Girl, her mother, Jaya Chakravarthy, once tried to persuade her to marry actor Jeetendra instead of Dharmendra.
