In the history of Indian cinema, few real-life love stories have created as much curiosity, admiration, controversy, and gossip as that of Dharmendra and Hema Malini.
This is not a fictional script — this is a real Bollywood saga involving two superstars, a pre-existing marriage, traditional family values, a shocking twist, and a relationship that survived decades.
“Ye story hai Bollywood ke asli Dilwale Dulhania Le Gaye ki!”

1. BEFORE HEMA: DHARMENDRA’S FIRST MARRIAGE (FACTS)

• Dharmendra married Prakash Kaur in 1954, at age 19.
• They had four children: Sunny, Bobby, Vijeta, and Ajeeta.
• According to public interviews, Dharmendra’s first wife never supported the idea of divorce, which was uncommon in conservative Punjabi families of that era.

“Bro, Dharmendra already had a full family setup, kids, and career – pura ghar-grihasti package!”

These are factual, documented details — no controversy or speculation.

2. ENTER HEMA MALINI: THE DREAM GIRL

Hema Malini entered the film industry in the late 60s and quickly became Bollywood’s No.1 star.
They first met during film shootings around early 1970s.

Reality:

• They worked together in over 25 films including Sholay, Seeta Aur Geeta, Charas, Dream Girl.
• Their on-screen chemistry was widely noticed by media and audiences.

“Jab Bollywood ka most handsome hero aur industry ki Dream Girl ek frame me aaye, toh camera bhi bol pada — ‘Bas, ab romance pakka!’”

3. GROWING CLOSENESS – WHAT IS CONFIRMED, WHAT IS NOT

Factual information from interviews & memoirs:

• Hema herself wrote in her autobiography that she felt attracted to Dharmendra while working with him.
• Dharmendra also admitted in old interviews that he was deeply fond of her.
• Both families, however, knew this relationship was causing tension because Dharmendra was already married.

Hema’s mother strongly opposed the match, which is publicly known and reported in multiple credible interviews.

“Dream Girl ki mummy bole: ‘No entry!’
Par Dharmendra bole: ‘Pyaar ho gaya, kuch bhi ho jaaye!’”

4. THE CRITICAL TURN: WHY THEY COULDN’T MARRY UNDER HINDU LAW (FACTS)

Indian law (Hindu Marriage Act, 1955) does not allow a second marriage without divorce.

• Dharmendra’s first wife did not consent to divorce.
• Divorce was socially unacceptable in their community at the time.
• Dharmendra and Hema wanted to marry officially.

This created a legal roadblock.

“Bro, yeh koi filmy script nahi — yeh real life ka legal twist tha!”

5. THE CONVERSION & MARRIAGE – WHAT IS FACTUALLY KNOWN

According to public records, court documents, and major newspapers (from the 1980 period):

• In 1980, Dharmendra and Hema converted to Islam to marry legally under Muslim law.
• Dharmendra’s reported name: Dilawar Khan
• Hema’s reported name: Ayesha Bi
• They conducted a nikah ceremony.

This is the most widely documented event in their story.

“Bro, yeh twist to koi Bollywood ka top writer bhi nahi likh sakta!
Love ke liye religion convert — full dedication!”

But this is also the most sensitive part of their history — and yet, it is well-documented.

⭐ 6. AFTER MARRIAGE: A PRIVATE LIFE, LOW PUBLIC DRAMA

After their marriage:

• They did not give sensational interviews about the controversy.
• Hema often said she respects Dharmendra’s first family.
• Dharmendra stayed connected to both families.
• The couple had two daughters, Esha and Ahana.

Hema once mentioned in an interview that she “chose peace over drama” and decided to keep her marriage dignified and private.

“Bro, yeh couple ne sab criticism, gossip, news headlines ko ignore kar diya—
aur apni life full dignity se jee.”

7. THE LEGACY OF THEIR RELATIONSHIP

Factually speaking:

• Their relationship lasted over 40 years and is still intact, making it one of Bollywood’s longest-standing unions.
• They are considered a power couple in Indian cinema.
• Their daughters are successful in their own careers.

“Isko kehte hain asli blockbuster hit jiska sequel bhi superhit ho!”

CONCLUSION: FACT-BASED, NO-MASALA SUMMARY

The Dharmendra–Hema story contains:
✔ genuine attraction
✔ public controversy
✔ cultural barriers
✔ legal complexity
✔ conversion & marriage (factually verified)
✔ a long-term, stable bond

This story is dramatic, emotional, complicated — exactly the kind of plot that would run for 1,000 episodes if Indian TV ever made it a serial.

“Bro ye love story me romance bhi hai, controversy bhi, legal bhi, family drama bhi!
Pure Bollywood ka asli masala—par ye sab sachchi zindagi ki kahani hai!”