Veteran actor Dharmendra regarded as one of Indian cinemas most iconic stars is celebrated for his cinematic legacy and larger-than-life persona. However more than his professional life his relationship with Hema Malini has always remained a topic of intrigue and controversy. Before his marriage with Hema Malini Dharmendra was already married to Prakash Kaur. The duo tied the knot in 1954. Together they have two sons and two daughters- Sunny Vijeta Ajeita and Bobby. Although Dharmendra was a married man he found himself drawn to Hemas grace beauty and simplicity. During 1970s their connection eventually blossomed from friendship to a full-blown affair. In 1980 they got married but Dharmendra did not divorce his first wife Prakash. Prakash Kaur on husband Dharmendras second marriage In a conversation with Stardust magazine in 1981 Prakash opened up about Dharmendras second marriage. He defended her husbands affair and spoke in his favour. Why only my husband any man would want have preferred Hema to me. How dare anyone call my husband a womanizer when half the industry is doing the same thing? All heroes are having affairs and getting married a second time… He may not be the best husband though he is very good to me but he is certainly the best father. His children love him a lot. He never neglects them. She said. Prakash also clarified that she did not hold Hema Malini accountable for what ever happened between her and Dharmendra. She expressed I can understand what Hema is going through. Even she has to face the world her relatives and her friends. But if I were in Hema’s place I would not have done what she did. For as a woman I can understand her feelings. But as a wife and a mother I do not approve of them. Despite his second marriage Prakash never lost her respect for Dharmendra. She mentioned that he was the the first and last man in her life. Regardless of the pain and challenges she acknowledged him as a devoted father and conveyed her deep regards for him. Story Highlights Before his marriage with Hema Malini Dharmendra was already married to Prakash Kaur. In 1980 Dharmendra married Hema Malini without divorcing his first wife. Prakash defended Dharmendras second marriage and spoke in his favour.