Hema Malini and Rajesh Khanna worked together in many memorable films like ‘Andaz’, ‘Mehbooba’, ‘Prem Nagar’ and ‘Babu’, becoming one of Bollywood’s most successful on-screen pairs. But more than him, Hema formed a lasting bond with his wife, the beautiful and talented Dimple Kapadia. The two actresses, despite their age gap, shared a deep friendship built on honesty, empathy and emotional understanding. Their connection, however, wasn’t without its moments of tension, one of them being when Dimple once told Hema, “Dharmendra will never marry you.”
Hema Malini and Dimple Kapadia’s unlikely bond
At that time, Hema Malini was already an established star, while Dimple Kapadia was just a teenager trying to adjust to her new life after marrying Rajesh Khanna at the age of 16. Hema, who was nine years older, felt a “warm feeling” towards Dimple and fondly called her a “kid sister.”In her biography ‘Hema Malini: Beyond the Dream Girl’ by Ram Kamal Mukherjee, the ‘Sholay’ actress recalled her first impression of the ‘Bobby’ actress. “This kid was all wrapped up in a big sari, with a jooda and bangles covering her arms. Then she had a baby soon after,” Hema shared as quoted by NDTV.The actress described how Dimple seemed lonely and out of place in the film world despite being married to a superstar. “During the outdoor locations, she would sit there smoking and drinking, but I never felt it looked wrong or indecent. I know she was going through a lot of tension, and she was such a lonely girl. Rajesh used to shoot all day, and in the evenings, he would sit with his friends and chat late into the night and drink. She had no company,” Hema recalled.
Dimple Kapadia warned Hema Malini about Dharmendra
While Dimple was trying to find her space in her marriage, Hema Malini was facing her own emotional struggles. The actress had fallen in love with Dharmendra, a married man and father of four , Sunny, Bobby, Ajeita and Vijeta.In the biography, the ‘Dil Chahta Hai’ actress admitted she used to get very emotional about Hema’s situation. Her concern often came out in the form of blunt advice. “You see, I was such a hot-headed person in those days that I’d get all worked up about her problems. I’d tell her things like, ‘This man (Dharmendra) is never going to marry you. You better sit up and do something about it.’ And if she had listened to me…” Dimple confessed.
Hema Malini and Dharmendra later tie the knot
Despite Dimple’s firm words, fate had other plans. Hema Malini and Dharmendra married in 1980 and later welcomed two daughters, Esha Deol and Ahana Deol. Go to Source