Bollywood has seen many beautiful women, but in the 1970s, an actress arrived on the screen whose mother had dreamed of becoming a dancer.
However, when her dream did not come true, she made her daughter a heroine. This new actress in films came to be known as 'Dream Girl'. We are referring to producer Jaya Chakraborty's daughter, Hema Malini.
Hema Malini was a bright student from childhood, and her favorite subject was history. However, thanks to her impeccable beauty, Hema Malini started receiving film offers at the age of 14. Hema Malini ultimately joined the film industry and achieved tremendous success. Her personal life also garnered intense scrutiny, especially after she married Dharmendra in 1980, who was already married to Prakash Kaur and had four children at the time. You may have heard many stories about Hema's transition from South to Bollywood and her love affairs, but do you know who Hema's mother, Jaya Chakraborty, wanted as her son-in-law? It wasn't Dharmendra, Jeetendra, or Sanjeev Kumar. Let us tell you.
Hema Malini's mother was against her marriage to Dharmendra?
Dharmendra was already married and had children when he fell in love with Hema Malini. The actress's mother was aware of the fact that her daughter loved the superstar too; however, she didn't want Bollywood's He-Man as her son-in-law. There was a time when Jaya Chakraborty considered Jeetendra and Sanjeev Kumar better than Dharmendra. Still, she wanted one of India's greatest personalities to be her daughter's husband and her son-in-law.
Who was Girish Karnad?
According to Mayapuri 250th issue, Hema Malini's mother wanted Indian actor, film director, Kannada writer, and playwright Girish Karnad as her son-in-law. She admired both his demeanor and acting and was sure that he was the perfect match for Hema Malini. It is said that Jaya Chakraborty produced a film titled Ratnadeep to bring Hema Malini and Girish Karnad closer. The film was released in 1979 but despite working in it together, Hema Malini continued to fall deeply in love with Dharmendra.
Did Hema Malini marry Dharmendra against her mother's wishes?
Jaya Chakraborty took time but eventually came around to the idea of Hema Malini marrying Dharmendra. The couple got married in an intimate ceremony in 1980 and soon became parents to two daughters, Esha Deol and Ahana Deol. Dharmendra passed away in December 2025 after a prolonged illness.