Veteran actor Hema Malini marked 60 years in Indian cinema at a star-studded event attended by several Bollywood veterans, political dignitaries and close friends. The film industry’s ‘dream girl’, dressed in a silk saree for the occasion, where she got candid in a chat with her friends and in a touching moment, honoured her late husband, Dharmendra.

Hema Malini pays tribute to Dharmendar

In photos and videos from the ceremony, shared online by Advocate Ashish Shelar, the veteran actress was seen offering flowers before Dharmendra’s portrait in a heartfelt gesture. Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Kiren Rijiju joined her as they paid their respects in a solemn ceremony before moving on to other lighter conversations and looking back at her illustrious career.

Hema Malini on Dharmendra’s creative side

During a recent chat with IANS, the actress shared an anecdote about the making of the popular song ‘Kal Ki Haseen Mulaqaat’ from the 1976 film ‘Charas’ and revealed how Dharmendra brought his own creative touch to their performances. The actress-turned-politician shared, “That song was scripted here, but it was shot abroad. We were all shooting, and there were so many wonderful songs. Dharam ji used to add a lot of things from his side. Whatever the dance director choreographed, it wouldn’t always happen exactly that way. Dharam ji would bring his own ideas and expressions into it. Naturally, I would adapt my performance accordingly. The opening of Kal Ki Haseen Mulaqaat was so interesting. I was pushing him, and then he would come back inside again. These little things made the performance special.”

Hema Malini marks 60 years in cinema

The celebration also turned into a reunion of sorts as veteran actors Jeetendra, Shatrughan Sinha, and filmmaker-actor Rakesh Roshan were among the many guests. Jeetendra arrived in an elegant black bandhgala sherwani adorned with a gold brooch, while Rakesh Roshan opted for a grey patterned kurta paired with his signature amber-tinted glasses. Shatrughan Sinha later made his entry in a royal blue kurta, matching stole and white pyjamas.The evening featured a special musical tribute celebrating some of Hema’s most memorable performances that began with her turn in ‘Sapno Ka Saudagar’ in 1968. Over the decades she went on to become one of Hindi cinema’s most celebrated leading ladies, delivering iconic performances in films such as ‘Seeta Aur Geeta’, ‘Sholay’, ‘Dream Girl’, ‘Satte Pe Satta’ and ‘Baghban’.