May 30, 2026 1:13pm IST
Hema Malini on Her Career Being Celebrated Live On Stage: ‘It’s been quite a journey’ (EXCLUSIVE)
Though she rarely acknowledges it herself, Hema Malini remains one of Hindi cinema’s most successful leading ladies, with more than 40 blockbusters to her name. A special event titled “Hema Malini Live-in Concert” is set to take place in Mumbai on July 10, celebrating the legendary actor’s remarkable 60-year journey in cinema.
The actor says, “Is it really 60 years? I don’t feel it. I started when I was barely 16 with none other than the great Raj Kapoor in “Sapnon Ka Saudagar” (1968). Later, I also worked with his two brothers, Shammi Kapoor and Shashi Kapoor. Then, I worked with Raj Kapoor’s son, Rishi Kapoor. So yes, it’s been quite a journey!” Hema Malini made her first on-screen appearance in the 1963 Tamil film “Idhu Sathiyam,” where she featured in a song.
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“Hema Malini Live-in Concert” will pay tribute to Hema Malini’s legacy from “Sapno Ka Saudagar” to the present day as a Parliamentarian. She brushes off the term legacy and says, “Titles like Dream Girl... I never paid any attention to all this. I just did my work. All the credit for being disciplined goes to my mother. I am what I am because of her.”
Her daughter, Esha Deol, says that while growing up, she watched her mother work hard. “No one deserves this honor more than my mother. This comes at a time when our family is going through a difficult time. Papa's (Dharmendra) going has still not sunk in. He would have been so happy to see mom being celebrated. She has been working since 1968. She became the biggest female superstar, but she never let it go to her head. She had her mother to keep her grounded, just as I have my mother to keep me grounded. My sister (Ahana) and I were never brought up to feel like we are privileged children.”
Esha describes her mother as the original multitasker. She adds, “She is just as passionate about politics as she is about acting. But her real passion is dancing, followed by acting and politics. She loves her constituency (Mathura). She loves being on the move and cannot stay still. I think she is superwoman.”
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