Veteran actress Hema Malini, who has clocked 60 years in Indian cinema, has spoken candidly about how her late husband Dharmendra remained her steadiest source of encouragement — never allowing her to feel diminished during quieter phases of her screen career. Her remarks came ahead of Hema Malini: Live in Concert, a special show celebrating her six-decade journey in films, dance, and public life.

A Career That Never Stood Still

Reflecting on her trajectory, Hema Malini described her life as one of continuous reinvention. 'My journey has always been that, from time to time, whatever is meant to happen, happens. I was in full swing during the ‘70s and ‘80s. I did a lot of work. After a short gap, I did Baghban and one or two more films. But I have been busy with many other activities, like dance shows and more,' she said.

She added that her transition into politics deepened rather than closed her connection with people. 'Then I became a Member of Parliament, so my life has continued to evolve. I am always among the people. Earlier, I used to entertain people through my films, ballets, and performances. Now, I would say I have the privilege of serving the people of Mathura,' she noted.

The Sholay actress also recalled how her iconic role as Basanti continues to follow her. 'The moment people see me, they are reminded of Basanti. My constituents often ask me, ‘Please say one of Basanti’s dialogues.’ Those memories are always alive, and I carry them with me wherever I go,' she said.

What Dharmendra Told Her

Hema Malini revealed that Dharmendra consistently pushed back against any notion that stepping away from films meant stepping back from life. She recalled his words directly: 'Dharam Ji always used to tell me, ‘Never think that just because you’re doing fewer films, it’s the end of the road. You’re doing your dance performances and so many other things — just keep going. It’s wonderful.’ He was always very encouraging and inspiring by the fact that I was constantly performing or keeping myself engaged in one activity or another. He genuinely appreciated it and would always say, ‘Just keep doing all of this. Don’t stop.’'

This support, she indicated, was not incidental — it was a defining feature of their personal and creative partnership across decades.

Their Bond On and Off Screen

Hema Malini and Dharmendra married on 21 August 1979 in a private Nikah ceremony, followed by a traditional Iyengar ceremony in 1980 honouring her family's cultural roots. On screen, the two formed one of Bollywood's most celebrated pairings, appearing together in over 25 films — among them Tum Haseen Main Jawaan, Seeta Aur Geeta, Sholay, Dream Girl, and The Burning Train.

Dharmendra's Legacy

Dharmendra, widely known as the 'He-Man of Bollywood', passed away on 24 November 2025 at the age of 89 in Mumbai. His death marked the end of an era for Hindi cinema, but Hema Malini's account suggests his influence on her creative confidence endures well beyond his passing.

As she prepares for Hema Malini: Live in Concert, the actress — now also a sitting MP from Mathura — shows little sign of slowing down, carrying forward the ethos her husband championed: keep going, keep performing, never stop.