Who is Hema Malini?
Hema Malini is an Indian actress, director, producer, and classical dancer. She has appeared in many Bollywood movies and is considered one of the most successful actresses in the Indian film industry.
How did her career start?
Hema Malini made her acting debut in 1968 with the Tamil movie "Idhu Sathiyam", and her Bollywood debut the following year with "Sapno Ka Saudagar".
How her career took off
She went on to have a successful career in Bollywood, starring in hit movies such as "Seeta Aur Geeta", "Sholay", "Johny Mera Naam", "Baghban" and "Baghban". She also appeared in a number of critically acclaimed movies such as "Choti Bahu" and "Sanyasi".
Her appearance in several movies
She has appeared in over 150 movies, primarily in Hindi cinema. She is considered one of the most successful actresses in the Indian film industry, and has been referred to as the "Dream Girl" and "Queen of Indian Cinema".
Film Producer
She has also directed and produced several movies, including "Dil Aashna Hai" and "Tell Me O Kkhuda".
Her dancing career
In addition to her acting and producing career, Malini is also a trained classical dancer and has performed in numerous stage shows in India and abroad. She is a trained Bharatanatyam dancer. Bharatanatyam is a major form of Indian classical dance that originated in Tamil Nadu.
Member of the Indian Parliament
Malini is also a former Member of Parliament, having represented the Bharatiya Janata Party in the Rajya Sabha, the upper house of the Indian parliament, from 2003 to 2009.
Her social and political influence
Malini is also an active social and political figure. She is a Goodwill Ambassador for the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) and a member of the Indian Prime Minister's Council on India's Nutrition Challenges.
Animal Rights Support
Malini is a supporter of the animal rights organization, PETA India. In 2009, she wrote a letter to the Mumbai Municipal Commissioner urging him to ban horse carriages from Mumbai's busy streets.
How is she honored?
During her career, she received eleven nominations for the Filmfare Award for Best Actress, winning the award in 1973. She was honored with the Padma Shri in 2000, the Padma Bhushan in 2015, and the Padma Vibhushan in 2019 by the Government of India for her contributions to Indian cinema and arts.