B'Day Special:10 facts to know about Hema Malini, Mathura MP

Bollywood's dreamgirl has made it big even off-screen. Hema Malini, a legend of the Bollywood industry stepped into political arena a few years back. She is now MP from Mathura, a place that she is personally in love with.Hema has served six years in the Rajya Sabha, she has acted in over a hundred movies.She is an accomplished Bharatnatiyam dancer too. Hema Malini won the 2014 Lok Sabha Elections from Mathura constituency on a BJP ticket. We have seen her performance on screen. She has played various roles in movies, from ‘dreamgirl' to goddess Parvati and Durga, now it's her chance to do something for her electorate.Here are 10 interesting facts about Hema Malini; 1. In the recently concluded Lok Sabha Polls, Bollywood's dream girl emerged victories. She was determined to prove all the cynics wrong. She said, “I'm not in politics for pretty pictures in beautiful sarees, but to bring changes in the system.”She is currently representing Mathura constituency as a Member of Parliament. Hema Malini contested the elections on BJP ticket.She owes her victory largely to Narendra Modi. She defeated incumbent Jayant Chaudhary of RLD by an impressive margin of 3, 30,743 VotesAfter Hema Malini won the elections, she enthusiastically threw an open challenge to critics and said, “Now sit and watch my performance”. A couple of days ago she organized a Jan Sabha in her constituency to hear public grievances.2. Hema Malini has quite a busy schedule. She is often labeled as the “missing person” because owing to paucity of time she does not visit her constituency often.After winning the 2014 Lok Sabha elections she visited Mathura on the second week of June. She stayed here just for a day to thank people and left.Then after people burnt effigies of the missing dream girl she again visited her constituency on 3rd August. Hema has been criticized for not respecting people's mandate. But on her arrival Hema Malini discussed garbage issue in the constituency and sought ways to clean Mathura. She assured her people that Mathura would soon become “clean”.She is also looking for ways to end monkey menace in Mathura.3. Hema Malini was nominated to Rajya Sabha by the then President of India, Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam and she served in the house from 2003-2009.Then she was once again fielded by BJP for the by-elections to Rajya Sabha from Karnataka in 2011 where she won by a margin of 12 votes. This time she served in the house for only a year.Here too Hema Malini was criticized for poor attendance. She hardly participated in debates and didn't attend Rajya Sabha sessions frequently.Hema Malini officially joined the BJP in 2004. In 2010 she was made the general secretary of BJP. Her film career was not as hectic so she was able to participate in party activities and campaigns.4. Hema Malini was born on 16th October 1948. She hails from a Tamil Speaking Iyengar family. Hema has two brothers and she was the youngest. Hema's mother Jaya Chakravarthy was a film producer.Hema Malini was born in Ammankudi near Orathanadu. Her father's name was V S Ramanujam.She admired her mother. It was perhaps her mother who inspired her to get into Bollywood. Hema inherits her beauty from her mother too.As a child, she was least interested in studies. She studied at Andhra Mahila Sabha in Chennai. Later she shifted to DTEA Mandir Marg and studied there till 10th standard.5. Hema has always been interested in acting. She didn't like studying but had keen interest in history. Apart from that, Hema Malini was always clear in her head that she wanted a career in the film industry. She dropped out of school before completing 10th standard to get into films.She is an accomplished classical dancer. Hema has often made the nation proud by representing India in various International events where she would perform classical dance. At times her daughter, Esha and Ahana also accompany her.In fact, she is so fond of dancing that in order to re-establish herself as a classical dancer, she directed TV serials like Noopur and Women of India in 1996.6. Today we recognize Hema Malini as a well established legend in Bollywood. She has left behind a mark that no one can replicate.But life had not always been a bed of roses for the star. She was rejected by a Tamil director on her first attempt into acting. C V Sridhar refused to take her as she was ‘too thin' to become a heroine. This incident took place in 1964.Hema felt very demoralized. But her passion for acting didn't die out. Jayalalithaa was given the role instead.Then in 1965 she got opportunities in Telugu films. She was also offered a role opposite Raj Kapoor in Sapno Ka Saudagar in 1968. This was a major breakthrough for her.In 1970 she played a crucial role in Johnny Mera Naam and this film got her immence name and fame. It was a blockbuster.7. While shooting for the legendary film, Sholay, Hema fell in love with her co-star Dharmendra. The two were deeply in love but Dharmendra was already married to Prakash Kaur.As per Hindu matrimony law, polygamy is an offence. So the couple adopted Islam and tied the knot. Hema had changed her name to Aisha Bi R Chakravarty and Dharmendra changed his name to Deawar Khan Kewal Krishna Deol.Even though people adored the chemistry between the love birds, their marriage was severely criticized. But the good part is that despite all rebellion, Dharmendra and Hema are still in love and have made it so far. They have acted in over 28 films together.8. Dharmendra and Hema have been blessed with two beautiful daughters – Esha Deol and Ahana Deol. Esha is an actress cum dancer and Ahana is a dancer. The two girls often perform at concerts with their mother.Through Dharmendra's first marriage, he has Bobby Deol and Sunny Deol, who are both Bollywood actors. The two boys were extremely hurt by their father's marriage. Till date they have not accepted Hema as their Step – mother whole heartily.On the other hand, Esha and Ahana were very close to their father. The four of them make a beautiful family. One never gets the opportunity of seeing the Deol brothers with their sisters either.9. Hema Malini was the fourth highest paid actor in India from 1971 till 1975. then from 1976 till 1980 she became the highest paid actress along with Zeenat Aman. From 1982 till 1985 she was the second highest paid actress in India.Hema Malini has acted in many films. She also directed Shahrukh Khan's first movie – Dil Aashiyana Hai. But it is not considered as his debut because it got released after Deewana.In 2003, she played the role of Goddess Durga in television serial Jai Mata Ki, directed by Puneet Issar and aired on Star Plus. So we can conclude that not only is Hema a versatile actor but also an all-rounder.10. Hema Malini has added many awards to her credit. In 1999 she was awarded the Padma Bhushan for her contribution to the India Cinema.In 1973 she won the best actress award for the film Sita Aur Geeta. In 1999 and 2003 she was given the special honor of getting Lifetime Achievement Award. In 2004, Hema got the Award for the most sensational Actress for the film Baghban. In 2005 she was ranked as one of the “Most popular Actress in India” by the Hansa Research's new syndicated study. In 2011, PETA awarded her with the title – Person of the Year. In 2012 – she was named International Personality of the Year at the 12th Asian Achievers Awards.Apart from these Hema Malini has been the recipient of several other rewards.