On October 16, 1948, Hema Malini was born to V S R and Jaya Chakravarthy in Ammankudi, Tamil Nadu. She was famously rejected by filmmakers down South, one of whom said she had no star appeal. All that changed with a move to Bollywood, which soon saw her become one of the country's biggest stars.
Making her debut in the 1968 film Sapnon Ka Saudagar opposite Raj Kapoor, Hema Malini hit the big time with Johnny Mera Naam, opposite Dev Anand, in 1970. By the time Seeta Aur Geeta arrived in 1972, she was Bollywood's biggest female lead.
The hits kept coming -- Dream Girl, Charas, Aas Paas, The Burning Train, Satte Pe Satta -- while marriage to superstar Dharmendra only ensured more headlines for the star.
These days, the actress divides her time between stage shows, the odd cameo, and the Rajya Sabha, while daughter Esha attempts to do what her mother once did. The latter is clearly a hard act to follow though, considering Esha career so far.
What Hema Malini does in the years ahead is anybody's guess. What she can always be proud about, however, is the fact that she played Basanti in Sholay.
Also Read: Once a Dream Girl, Always A Dream Girl
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