Veteran Bollywood actress and MP Hema Malini has dismissed claims of being the highest-paid actress in the industry during the 1970s and 80s. In the ‘Hindi Rush’ podcast, Hema Malini stated that she never received the kind of hefty fees that today’s stars do. She clarified that she did not work for money.
As her popularity grew, there was only a modest increase in her fees. According to the actress, producers liked her work, but for her, the experience of films and recognition mattered more than earnings.
Hema Malini’s screen presence was greatly loved by the audience, after which she came to be known as Bollywood’s ‘Dream Girl’.
Did not even get a fraction of today’s stars’ fees Hema Malini asked in an interview, “Who said she was the most expensive actress?” She stated that during her time, they received very little money. They didn’t even get a small fraction of the large sums that today’s artists receive.
The actress said that directors and producers liked her very much, but she never worked with money as the primary focus. As her name grew, makers would voluntarily increase her payment a little.
She considered the envelope she received as a blessing Hema Malini said that her mother managed all her work. Her mother was very generous towards producers. If a producer came and said that he couldn’t pay much for a film, her mother would agree without any objection.
She never set a condition for any film that she would only work if she received a certain fee. Whatever small envelope the producers gave, she would accept it like a blessing. For her, the respect gained from films was more important than money.
Filmy journey began with ‘Sapnon Ka Saudagar’ Hema Malini stepped into Bollywood with the 1968 film ‘Sapnon Ka Saudagar’. After this, she emerged as a big star in the 1970s and 1980s. She worked in many blockbuster films like ‘Seeta Aur Geeta’, ‘Sholay’, ‘Dream Girl’, ‘Satte Pe Satta’, and ‘Baghban’. Her screen presence was highly appreciated by the audience, after which she came to be known as Bollywood’s ‘Dream Girl’.
Active in politics and a Padma Shri recipient Besides films, Hema Malini is also a skilled Bharatanatyam dancer. Currently, she is active in politics and is serving as a Lok Sabha member (MP). Considering her contribution to Indian cinema, she was honored with the country’s fourth-highest civilian award, ‘Padma Shri’, in the year 2000.
Subsequently, in 2012, Sir Padampat Singhania University also conferred an honorary doctorate upon her.
Tried her hand at direction after acting After achieving success in acting, Hema Malini also ventured into the fields of direction and production. She directed and produced the film ‘Dil Aashna Hai’ in 1992. Shah Rukh Khan and Divya Bharti played the lead roles in this film.
After this, in 1995, she made the film ‘Mohini’ with her niece Madhoo and Sudesh Berry. Later, she reduced her work in films and started focusing on classical dance and TV projects.
