Legendary actor Dharmendra passed away in Mumbai on November 24 at the age of 89. As the film industry mourns his death, stories from his personal life have resurfaced—one of them being Hema Malini’s decade-long financial struggle that remained hidden from the public for years.
Marriage to Dharmendra Amid Personal Challenges
Hema Malini married Dharmendra in 1980, choosing love despite the fact that he was already married to Prakash Kaur and had four children—Sunny Deol, Bobby Deol, Ajeeta Deol, and Vijeta Deol. But while her marriage made headlines, a lesser-known chapter unfolded privately: Hema Malini faced a severe financial crisis soon after.
This period is detailed in Hema Malini: Beyond The Dream Girl by Ram Kamal Mukherjee, which mentions how Dharmendra offered help, but Hema firmly declined. “Dharmendra offered to help, but she would have none of it,” the book notes, highlighting her pride and determination to stand on her own feet.
How Hema Malini Landed in Debt
Hema has openly spoken about how her mother, who managed her finances, often neglected tax obligations despite her father’s repeated reminders.
“My father would keep telling Amma to pay the taxes, but my mother felt it was unfair to expect us to pay so much when I was working so hard,” Hema recalled.
Only after her father’s death did Hema Malini realise the huge financial liabilities that had piled up. With debts mounting, she turned to the only immediate way to earn money—films.
A Decade of Relentless Film Work
As a mother of two daughters by then, major production houses were hesitant to cast her in leading roles. This pushed her into accepting several B-grade or low-budget films just to clear debts.
She admitted, “It was the worst phase of my life, and it lasted nearly ten years. I had to clear my debts, and except for these films, I had no option. Dance shows helped, but most of the money came from movies.”
Some of these films included Durga, Anjaam, Sitapur Ki Geeta, and Jamai Raja.
Esha Deol’s Discovery of Her Mother’s Struggles
Esha Deol revealed that she only understood the reason behind her mother’s packed shooting schedules later in life.
“After Ahana was born, Mom was barely home because she was shooting all the time. When we grew older and saw some of her 80s films, I asked her why she did those movies, and that’s when she told me about the debt,” Esha said.
A Love Story That Captivated India
Dharmendra and Hema Malini were one of Bollywood’s most iconic couples. Their on-screen chemistry in films like Sholay, Seeta Aur Geeta, Tum Haseen Main Jawaan, Jugnu, and Dream Girl eventually blossomed into a real-life romance.
They first met in 1970 during the shooting of Tum Haseen Main Jawaan. Despite Dharmendra already having a family, their bond strengthened over time.
In 1980, they reportedly converted to Islam to marry—something filmi magazines sensationalised—though Dharmendra later denied this. Eventually, they married in a traditional Iyengar ceremony in honour of Hema’s heritage.
Dharmendra’s Passing
Dharmendra died on November 24 in Mumbai, twelve days after being discharged from Breach Candy Hospital. Often remembered as Bollywood’s “He-Man,” he starred in over 300 films and left behind a towering legacy.
His cremation took place the same day at the Pawan Hans crematorium under tight security. A prayer meet was held on November 27 at Taj Lands End, Mumbai.