Hema Malini recounts her 60-year journey in films, says industry rewards talent & dedication

Mumbai, Jul 11 (PTI) Veteran actor Hema Malini, who is celebrating 60 years in Indian cinema, said she feels "blessed" and "proud" of her journey, crediting filmmakers, co-stars, technicians and her family for their unwavering support. The actor marked the landmark moment with "Hema Malini – Live in Concert: Celebrating the Dream Girl's Diamond Jubilee – 60 Glorious Years in Cinema". Held at Mumbai's Shanmukhananda Hall on Friday evening, the concert saw a 15-piece live orchestra celebrate milestones from her film career through songs. Malini, the star of movies such as “Sholay”, “Seeta Aur Geeta”, “Satte Pe Satta”, “Khushboo”, “Naseeb” and “Baghban”, said she is grateful to the public for showering their love and support over the years. “I’m thankful to my mother, she stood by me. I believe mother’s play an important role in the life and career of their children. My family was with me, and that is why I was able to grow,” the 77-year-old actor said. “I’m extremely happy and proud to be part of this beautiful film industry, which has given birth to so many stars in the past and present. The few decades that I’ve spent in the industry, I’ve done nearly 200 films and so many memorable songs to my credit, and worked with so many directors and actors,” she said. Malini, who has acted in over 200 films in a six-decade career, also directed two films, Shah Rukh Khan starrer “Dil Aashna Hai” (1992) and “Tell Me O Kkhuda” (2011) featuring her daughter Esha Deol. “The film industry is so vast and beautiful it gives opportunity to each and every one. The only thing is you’ve to be talented and dedicated and then you will reach the top,” the actor added. Asked how she felt seeing stills and posters of her hit films, Malini quipped that they reminded her she was once young and beautiful. "I looked so nice, and I was just so happy to see myself. When you're young, you're always beautiful. But the way cinematographers used to shoot my scenes, and those of other female actors back then, was incredible. They were so passionate about their work and filmed every scene with great interest and care," she said. She recalled working with cinematographers like K Vaikunth and Kamal Bose on films such as "Seeta aur Geeta" and "Dharmatma". "They all used to do beautiful photography, which I don't see much these days because it's a digital world now and things are different. But their dedication was outstanding," she said. Malini also acknowledged the contributions of costume designers and makeup artists. “They worked with so much love and dedication in all my films. It is because of their contribution that I looked the way I did on screen,” she said. When asked if Deepika Padukone can do a biopic on her, Malini instantly replied in affirmative. “If she wants, she can do it. Anybody can do it and anyone can do it (film on me). Deepika is a beautiful, talented girl.” The evening saw performances by singers Sudesh Bhosle, Suresh Wadkar, Padmini Kolhapure, Shabbir Kumar, Anu Malik, Anup Jalota, Kavita Krishnamurti, Vijeta Pandit and Purnima Shrestha, who recreated some of Malini’s popular songs, including “Meri Makhna Meri Soniye”, “Hori Khele Raghuveera” and “Ek Na Ek Din Ye Kahani Banegi”. Malini expressed gratitude to the singers for performing at the concert. "I feel fortunate. I'm thankful to them," she said, adding that the craze for the 1970s and 1980s remains strong around the world. Some of Malini’s industry friends and colleagues including Madhoo, Poonam Dhillon, Rakesh Roshan, Shatrughan Sinha, Jeetendra, Ramesh Sippy, Kiran Juneja, Babul Supriyo, Sanjeev Gupta and others, attended the charity musical concert. Malini thanked her co-stars for their presence and informed that her elder daughter Esha couldn’t attend it as she is suffering from viral infection. Sippy, who directed Malini in numerous films like “Sholay”, “Seeta Aur Geeta”, “Andaz”, and “Shimla Mirchi”, recalled their long association and praised her professionalism. “We’ve had a great rapport workwise. She understands everything and she has a photographic memory, the way she remembers her dialogues is amazing. I remember she jumped at the idea of playing a double role in ‘Seeta aur Geeta’. We’ve worked on a few films but people fondly remembered her as Basanti even after 50 years of ‘Sholay’,” the director said. Actor Madhoo, who is a cousin of Malini, said she admires how she remains composed during difficult times and draws strength from her faith in God. “There are problems in life but Hema has always looked impeccable, she does not sit and talk about her sob stories. I asked her how she manages to do this and she said, ‘The whole world wants to know how Hema Malini copes with problems but I’ll not give into that’. ‘Every morning I meet Mr. Krishna and I discuss things with him and he solves it’,” she said. “I’ve learnt from her as to how to deal with problems with hope that everything will be sorted and that it is important to live in the present,” she added. Playback singer Kavita Krishnamurti felt “emotional” as she recalled her bond with Malini. “I’ve seen Hema ji since I was three-year-old, we’ve grown up together in Delhi, she was a close friend of my sister. They used to go to Bharatnatyam class together. Then she became a big star, I’ve seen her career go up. Her relationship with me and my family has not changed,” the playback singer said. Composer Anu Malik termed it a “surreal moment” to be part of the celebration, and described Malini as one of the greatest actors. He worked with her on two films, “Maarg”, “Ek Chadar Maili Si”. Produced and directed by RJ Anirudh, the charity concert also featured a special tribute to Dharmendra and supported CINTAA and FWICE with a contribution of Rs 10 lakh. PTI KKP RB RB