Hema Malini Age? Hema Malini (born 16 October 1948) is an Indian actress, director, producer, and politician. She Ages 74 years in 2022. She is primarily known for her work in Hindi films. Malini made her acting debut in 1963 with the Tamil film Idhu Sathiyam. Malini first acted in a lead role in Sapno Ka Saudagar (1968), and went on to feature in numerous Hindi films, frequently opposite Dharmendra, whom she married in 1980. Malini was initially promoted as the “Dream Girl”, and in 1977 starred in a film of the same name. Known for starring in both comic and dramatic roles, she is among the most successful leading actresses of mainstream Hindi cinema.
Early life and family
Hema Malini was born in a Tamizhan Iyengar Brahman family to Jaya Lakshmy and VSR Chakravarthi Iyengar. She had three siblings – sister Nandini and brothers Rajeev and Arjun. While growing up, she used to sing songs composed by Kalyanasundaramji. She studied in Kendriya Vidyalaya, Chennai and completed her schooling there. Later she joined Loyola College, Chennai, where she met actor Dharmendra. They married on 23 April 1968 and later divorced in 1972. After marriage, she acted in several films including Aasai Machaan (1969), Sargam (1971), Chitchor (1972), Anuraag (1973), Shrimati 420 (1975), Amar Deep (1976), Do Bigha Zamin (1977), Prem Pujari (1978), Dharam Veer (1979), Jaadugar (1980), Preet Ki Moti (1981), Haathi Mere Saathi (1982), Ganga Ki Saugandh (1983), Maayeka (1984), Khoon Bhari Maang (1985), Baap Re Baap (1986), Muqaddar Ka Sikander (1987), Hum Kisise Kum Naheen (1988), Yeh Vaada Raha (1989), Dil Ne Pados Paar (1990), Mrityudand (1991), Trishakti (1992), Karz (1993), Betaab (1994), Ram Teri Ganga Maili (1995), Daata (1996), Devdas (1997), Parinda (1998), Jodha Akbar (1999), Omkara (2006), Raajneeti (2010), PK (2014) and Badlapur (2015).
She won Filmfare Awards for Best Actress twice – in 1974 for Roop Kamal and again in 1976 for Anuraag. In 1975, she received National Film Award for Best Supporting Actress for her performance in Anurag. She also won Screen Award for Best Performance in a Comic Role for her role in Anuraag. She was awarded the Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 2013.
She has been conferred honorary doctorate degrees by University of Mumbai, Delhi School of Economics, Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad, Symbiosis International University, Pune and Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University, Hyderabad.
In 2012, she was appointed as UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador.
Film career
Malini began her film career in 1965 playing a minor role in Kannada language feature film Pandava Vanavasaama directed by B. R. Panthulu. She later acted in Hindi films such as Aakhri Dao (1966), Sajan Ka Tukda (1967), Jai Jawan (1968), and Shrimati Radha Krishna Bai (1969). In 1969 she starred opposite Rajesh Khanna in the hit movie Mere Apne along with Sunil Dutt and Dharmendra. Her performance earned her a Filmfare Award nomination.
She went on to act in many movies including the cult classic Do Anjaane (1971), Preeti Aur Woh Rehta Hai (1972), Chacha Zindabad (1973), Saheliyon Ki Baat (1974), Dil Ek Mandir (1975), Satyakam (1976), Gharana (1977), Main Hoon Na (1981), Hum Kisise Kum Naheen (1982), Mujhe Meri Biwi Se Bachaao (1984), Prem Bandhan (1985), Mahal (1986), Abhimaan (1989), Mrityudand (1990), Karishma – The Miracles Continue (1991), Naseeb (1992), Dil Ne Phir Yaad Kiya (1993), Deewar (1995), Jaaydaari (1996), Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge (1997), Lagaan (2001), Devdas (2002), Gangster (2008) and Raaz 3 (2011). She worked with some of India’s biggest directors like Yash Chopra, Kundan Shah, Gulzar, Manmohan Desai and Govind Nihlani.
Malini was one of the most sought-after actresses of her generation. During the 1970s and 1980s, she became one of the highest paid actors in Indian cinema. She was known for her versatility, acting ability, beauty and style. She received several awards for her performances in different languages. She was awarded the Padma Shri in 1990. She was honoured with the Lifetime Achievement award at the International Film Festival of India in 2012.
In 2013, she was voted among the “50 Greatest Actresses of All Time” by Empire magazine. She was ranked #1 by Rediff.com in 2011 and 2012. In 2016, she was ranked #8 in Forbes list of World’s Top 50 Celebrities earning $20 million.
Her last release was the critically acclaimed drama film Kabali (2016) where she played the lead role alongside Vikram Prabhu. This was followed by the biopic film Tanu Weds Manu Returns (2017). She also appeared in the comedy film Thappad (2018) and the horror thriller film Bhoot: Part One (2019).
Malini has been married twice; once to actor Bharat RatnaShammi Kapoor and secondly to director Govinda. She has four children; daughter Sonam Kapoor and sons Arjun Kapoor, Ranbir Kapoor and Siddharth Kapoor.
Political career
Malini began her political career in 1989, when she contested the elections against Congress leader Balraj Madhok in the Gurdaspur constituency. She lost the election. However, in 1999, she ran again and won the seat.
In 2000, Malini became one of the founding members of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), the predecessor of the ruling Bharatiya Janata party (BJP). She served as the president of the women wing of the NDA.
She contested the 2002 parliamentary elections from Amritsar, where she defeated Indian National Congress leader Jagdish Tytler.
From 2003 to 2009, she held several ministerial portfolios including Minister of State for Human Resource Development, Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Minister of State for Women and Child Development, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Tourism and Civil Aviation, Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment, Minister of State for External Affairs, Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs, Minister of State (independent charge) for Communications and IT, Minister of State for Urban Development and Parliamentary Affairs.
After being reelected in 2004, she was appointed Union Minister for Information Technology & Broadcasting, Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India.
On 9 May 2005, Malini resigned from the ministry because of differences over policy matters.
In 2006, she contested the assembly elections from Patiala Constituency, winning with a margin of over 50,000 votes.
Association with social causes
Malini Bhatnagar founded the Animal Welfare Board of India in 2008. She is one of the most active members of the board, which works towards protecting animals from abuse and cruelty. She is also involved in several campaigns against the use of elephants in Indian circuses.
In 2009, she wrote a public letter to the Mumbai Municipal Corporation asking it to ban the use of horses in Mumbai’s crowded streets. Her efforts led to the creation of a committee that recommended banning the practice.
In 2011, she penned another open letter to the Union Minister for Environment, Forests & Climate Change, Jairam Ramesh, regarding the use of elephants in circuses. She urged the minister to take action against such practices.