Hema Malini was born into a Brahmin Iyengar family in born 16 October 1948. Hema Malini Chakravarty was born in Ammangudi, Tamil Nadu to parents V.S.R.Chakravarty and Jaya Chakravarty. Her mother was a film producer. The actress is also a director and producer. Apart from acting Malini is also an ace Bharatnatyam dancer-choreographer. The actress got educated at Chennai. Hema Malini is married to Bollywood actor Dharmendra and has two daughters Ahana Deol and Esha Deol.

Film Career of Hema Malini
Hema first tried to enter films in 1964, but was rejected by a Tamil director Sridhar saying that she had no star appeal. However, she was adamant to make it big and hence he entered Bollywood with her first movie Sapnon Ka Saudagar (1968) opposite Raj Kapoor. Paired opposite Dev Anand in Johnny Mera Naam (1970) and with Dharmendra and Sanveej Kumar in Seeta aur Geeta (1972) Hema instantly became one of the industry`s favourite sought after stars. She was the top female star in Bollywood and became one of the reigning divas of the Bollywood film industry. Her fans called her The Dream Girl of Bollywood.

Hema appeared in a number of hit movies opposite Dharmendra like Sholay, Charas, Aas Paas, Jugnu, Seeta Aur Geeta, The Burning Train. She portrayed her flair for dramatic and art in movies like Trishul, Joshila, Lal Patthar, Meera, Khushboo and Kinara. She also appeared in with Amitabh Bachchan in Satte Pe Satta and with Dharmendra in Dream Girl. In the 1980 movie Alibaba Aur 40 Chor Hema played the role of Marjina. She has appeared in more than hundred movies. In the recent past Hema appeared with Amitabh Bachchan in successful films like Baghban, Veer Zaara and Baabul.

Film direction has been another successful venture - the feature film Dil Ashna Hai was well-received, and introduced ShahRukh Khan to the silver screen. The tele-serial Nupur invited accolades for her as actress and director.

Hema and her husband have been involved in politics, as supporters of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). She was elected to the Rajya Sabha, the upper house of the Parliament of India, with the support of the BJP.

Awards and Honours of Hema Malini

Filmfare Awards
1973 - Filmfare Best Actress Award, Seeta Aur Geeta
1999 - Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award

Other Awards
1998 - Guest of Honour Award at the 18th Ujala Cinema Express Awards
2003 - Zee Cine Award for Lifetime Achievement
2003 - Star Screen Award Jodi No. 1, Baghban (with Amitabh Bachchan)
2003 - Lifetime Achievement Award at the Bollywood Movie Awards
2004 - Bollywood Movie Award for the Most Sensational Actress for Baghban.
2004 - Sports World`s "Jodi of the Year" along with Amitabh Bachchan for Baghban
2004 - Icon of the year
2009 - Lifetime Achievement Award at the 7th Pune International Film Festival (PIFF)

Honours
2000 - Padma Shri, India`s fourth highest civilian award from the Government of India.
2004 - "Living Legend Award" by the Federation of Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) in recognition of her contribution to the Indian entertainment industry.
2007 - Rashtrabhushan Award From FIE Foundation Ichalkaranji
2007 - The 2007 Bangkok International Film Festival screened several films starring Hema Malini in a special tribute programme.
2008 - Honoured for her contribution to classical dance.

Selected Filmography of Hema Malini

Year Movie

1968 Sapnon Ka Saudagar
1969 Waris
1970 Abhinetri, Johny Mera Naam
1971 Naya Zamana, Lal Patthar, Andaz, Tere Mere Sapne
1972 Seeta Aur Geeta, Raja Jani
1973 Shareef Badmaash, Chhupa Rustam, Gehri Chaal
1974 Dulhan, Amir Garib, Kasauti
1975 Sunehra Sansar, Sanyasi, Dharmatma, Khushboo, Sholay
1976 Maa, Charas, Dus Numbri, Mehbooba, Jaaneman
1977 Dream Girl, Chacha Bhatija
1978 Dillagi, Trishul
1979 Meera
1980 The Burning Train, Alibaba Aur 40 Chor
1981 Kranti, Naseeb, Kudrat
1982 Satte Pe Satta
1983 Taqdeer, Andhaa Kanoon, Nastik
1985 Durga, Ramkali
1987 Sitapur Ki Geeta
1991 Jamai Raja
1994 Vivekananda
1995 Param Vir Chakra
2000 Hey Ram, Baghban
2004 Veer-Zaara, Baabul
2007 Laaga Chunari Mein Daag