Dharmendra's blended family: First marriage, Hema Malini, and the kids
What's the story
Bollywood veteran Dharmendra, who passed away on Monday at 89, had a complicated personal life. Before making his Bollywood debut in 1960 with Dil Bhi Tera Hum Bhi Tere, he married Prakash Kaur at just 19 in 1954. The couple welcomed their first son Ajay Singh Deol (Sunny Deol) in 1957 and later three more children, Vijayta (1962), Ajeeta (1966), and Vijay Singh Deol (Bobby) in 1969. Here's how he got married to Hema Malini.
Affair rumors
Dharmendra's rumored affair with Meena Kumari
In the late 1960s, rumors of Dharmendra's alleged affair with actor Meena Kumari began to circulate. They had first worked together in 1964's Main Bhi Ladki Hoon and later in films like Kaajal, Purnima, Phool Aur Patthar, Majhli Didi, Chandan Ka Palna, and Baharon Ki Manzil. After Kumari's death in 1972, Nargis famously wrote that if Kumari ever loved anyone "passionately," it was Dharmendra.
New beginnings
Dharmendra's relationship with Hema Malini and subsequent marriage
In the 1970s, Dharmendra fell in love with his co-star Hema Malini. Despite being married and having four children, their off-screen chemistry led to speculation of a romantic relationship. They first worked together in 1970's Sharafat and Tum Haseen Main Jawan, followed by Naya Zamana, Seeta Aur Geeta, Raja Jani, Jugnu, Patthar Aur Payal, and Pratigya among others.
Marriage
Malini and Dharmendra's marriage amid family opposition
Malini's family was against her marriage to Dharmendra, insisting she marry someone else. They even arranged a meeting between her and Jeetendra's parents in 1974. When Dharmendra learned of this, he flew to Chennai with Shobha Sippy (Jeetendra's then-girlfriend) to stop the proceedings. The couple married in 1980.
Family dynamics
Dharmendra's 2nd marriage and family dynamics
Dharmendra's second marriage to Malini was not without its challenges. They lived in separate houses, and Malini continued her film career. When their first daughter, Esha, was born in 1981, Dharmendra reportedly booked an entire hospital for the occasion to keep it under wraps. Their second daughter, Ahana, was born in 1985, while they lived opposite each other with Prakash and his children from his first marriage.
Prakash's view
Prakash's perspective on Dharmendra's affairs and family life
Despite the rumors and allegations, Prakash remained out of the limelight. In a rare interview with Stardust in 1981, she said that all men in the film industry were having affairs. While she admitted that Dharmendra wasn't the best husband, she insisted he was the best father. "Why only my husband? Any man would have preferred Hema over me," she had said.