Dream Girl comes full circle as Bollywood celebrates Hema Malini's Diamond Jubilee
ETimes July 12, 2026 05:39 AM
It was an evening of nostalgia, music, laughter and heartfelt memories as the Hindi film industry gathered to celebrate 60 glorious years of Hema Malini in Indian cinema . Hosted and directed by Anirudh Chawla, the Diamond Jubilee celebration unfolded like a journey through the Dream Girl 's remarkable life and career, blending candid conversations, memorable anecdotes, live musical performances and specially curated audio-visual presentations that traced her evolution from a young debutante to one of Indian cinema's most enduring icons.
A WALK DOWN MEMORY LANE
The evening began on an emotional note as Hema Malini reflected on how the venue, Shanmukhanada Hall, held a special place in her life. "This is the same venue where my journey as an actress began. When I came to Mumbai to shoot Sapno Ka Saudagar, this is where I stayed. Every day, I would travel to Raj Kapoor's studio in Chembur for the shoot. Later, I received my first Filmfare Award here. Over the years, I have performed on this stage so many times. Life has truly come full circle. Sixty years later, here I am again, celebrating this incredible journey." The event was graced by Union Cabinet Minister Kiren Rijiju as the chief guest and Maharashtra Cabinet Minister Ashish Shelar as the guest of honour.
DHARAM JI, BASANTI AND BEHIND-THE-SCENES STORIES
One of the most cherished segments of the evening was Hema Malini's affectionate recollection of husband Dharmendra. Narrating the story behind Main Jat Yamla Pagla Deewana from Pratigya, she recalled how legendary Kathak maestro Gopi Krishna had initially been brought in to choreograph the actor. "I wondered, 'Dharam ji Kathak karenge?' Then I heard the song and thought, how did they think of Gopi Krishna ji for this? Dharam ji looked at the choreography and said, 'Yeh kya hai?' Then he told the director, 'Mujhe choreographer nahi chahiye... aap camera ke peeche baithiye aur main camera ke saamne apna kaam karta hoon.' He ended up choreographing and performing the song himself," she said, leaving the audience in splits.
THE DREAM GIRL'S BEAUTY MANTRA
Speaking about the secret behind looking as radiant today as she did decades ago, Hema said, "It's the grace of my Lord Krishna. Jab Bhagwan ne aapko sundarta di hai, use pehchanna bhi zaroori hai aur use maintain karna bhi hamara farz hai. I do that through yoga, meditation, dance, and regular workouts."
WHEN CINEMA LEGENDS REMINISCED
The conversations brought forth several behind-the-scenes stories from some of Hindi cinema's biggest classics. Director Ramesh Sippy reminisced about working with Hema from his first film Andaz (1971) to his last film Shimla Mirchi (2020). "I was only 25 when I first directed her and she would tease me saying, 'Yeh toh baccha hai, kaise direct karega?' She had a photographic memory. Sab dialogues pat pat bol deti thi."
He also revealed that convincing Hema to play Basanti in Sholay wasn't easy. Hema laughed as she admitted, "After Seeta Aur Geeta, I asked him, 'Film mein itne log hain aur mera sirf tange wali ka role hai?' But he told me, 'You must do this role in Sholay. Otherwise, you'll regret it.'"
SONGS THAT BROUGHT BACK AN ERA
Music flowed seamlessly through the evening, recreating some of Hema Malini's most memorable songs. Kavita Krishnamurti and Suresh Wadkar's rendition of Naam Gum Jayega drew loud applause before Kavita revealed a deeply personal connection with the actress. "The only reason I came to Bombay and became a playback singer was because of Hema ji and her mother Jaya Chakravarty, who were my neighbours in Delhi. I will remain eternally grateful to HemaJi."
Ever the humourist, Suresh Wadkar quipped, "There should always be four ambulances stationed outside any venue where Hema ji performs. Kyonki itni sundar ladki dekhkar toh waise hi log dher ho jayenge."
'SHE'LL ALWAYS BE MY SISTER HEMU'
Madhoo offered a glimpse of the Hema Malini few get to see. "She is the Dream Girl for all of you, but for me she will always be my sister Hemu. She took me to Disneyland for the first time when I was a child. There Dharam Uncle taught me to swim at the hotel’s pool. He would often say,’Bacche tumhe swimming kisne sikhaya."
Rakesh Roshan recalled how Hema had changed the course of his acting career. "Uss waqt ki jo leading ladies thi, unhone mere saath kaam karne se mana kar diya tha. Lekin Hema ji ne haan kaha. Aaj main unki wajah se unke saath iss stage par baitha hoon."
Watching a montage of his films with Hema prompted Jeetendra to joke, "Woh jawani dekh ke yeh budhapa sata raha hai. She is still so charming, but hum toh khatara ho gaye hain." He also became emotional while remembering Dharmendra. "He always said exactly what was in his mind and heart. That's a very rare quality."
Adding to the celebratory mood were live performances by Padmini Kolhapure and Anu Malik, who sang Gir Gaya Jhumka, while Anup Jalota, Sudesh Bhosle, Vijayta Pandit Shrivastava, Poornima Sushama Shreshtha, Shabbir Ahmed and several other singers paid tribute to Hema Malini through songs immortalised on screen by the Dream Girl.
AN EVENING THAT ENDED ON A MUSICAL HIGH
Through the show, Hema took the microphone to sing a few lines from Kya Khoob Lagti Ho and Tum Haseen Main Jawaan. The evening concluded on a poignant note when Hema joined Kavita Krishnamurti for a soulful rendition of Aye Dil-e-Nadan.
As the audience rose for a standing ovation, it was evident that the Diamond Jubilee celebration wasn't merely a tribute to a legendary actress, it was a celebration of an era of Hindi cinema, brought alive through stories, songs and memories that continue to resonate across generations.
