It’s been over four decades since Hema Malini and Dharmendra tied the knot, but their romance began years earlier, even before the release of Sholay. As the iconic film marks its 50th anniversary, Hema’s stunt double in the movie, Reshma Pathan, has opened up about the couple’s private relationship during the shoot.In an interview with Hindustan Times, Reshma, who performed all of Hema Malini’s stunts in Ramesh Sippy’s cult classic, revealed, “Hum sabko pata tha ke Hemaji aur Dharamji ka ishq chal raha hai (we all on the set knew that they were dating). But they never showed that on the set. They were always professional. Set pe toh alag alag hi rehte the (on the set, they kept their distance from each other).”Separate rooms, separate circlesThe 71-year-old stuntwoman further shared that actors of the earlier era valued privacy when it came to relationships.“Pehle ke log, alag alag hi hote the aur set pe nahi dikhate the (actors from the old days were really different in private and didn’t reveal it on set). They were in the same hotel, but in different rooms. In their free time, Dharamji stayed with his team and Hemaji spent time with hers — I was part of her team too.”An enduring love storyReshma expressed pride in seeing the couple together even after decades.“Today, I feel proud to see them still together. They are an icon and inspiration for all couples,” she said.
Hema and Dharmendra first met in 1970 while working on Tum Haseen Main Jawaan and tied the knot in 1980. They share two daughters, Esha and Ahana Deol. As one of the most beloved on-screen pairs of the 1970s, they starred together in several hits including Sholay, Seeta Aur Geeta, Dillagi, and Dream Girl.Dharmendra was previously married to Prakash Kaur in 1954 at the age of 19 and has four children from that marriage, sons Sunny Deol and Bobby Deol, and daughters Vijayta Deol Gill and Ajeeta Deol.
