Sudesh Bhosale painted Hema Malini posters at 14 before sharing her stage
Synopsis
Before Sudesh Bhosale became a celebrated playback singer, he was a 14-year-old painting Hema Malini's face on Mumbai hoardings. At her 60-year cinema celebration, he revealed the full-circle journey — from poster painter in 1974 to sharing her stage and touring the Fiji Islands with her in 1984.
Key Takeaways
Sudesh Bhosale revealed he painted Hema Malini's film posters alongside his father from 1974 to 1982 .
His first poster was for Prem Nagar in 1974 , when he was just 14 years old .
Posters he worked on included films such as Lal Patthar , Sharafat , and Bhai Ho To Aisa .
Bhosale's first international tour in 1984 — to the Fiji Islands — was with Hema Malini .
Hema Malini is celebrating 60 years in Indian cinema, having debuted in Sapno Ka Saudagar in 1968 .
Veteran playback singer and mimicry artist Sudesh Bhosale revisited a little-known chapter of his life at a celebration marking Hema Malini's 60 years in Indian cinema, revealing that long before he ever shared a stage with the legendary actress, he was painting her face on towering film hoardings across Mumbai alongside his father.
From Paintbrush to Performer
Speaking to the media at the event, Bhosale disclosed that between 1974 and 1982 he assisted his father in hand-painting large film posters — a craft that predated his celebrated career as a singer and voice mimic. 'People may not know that before I began performing on stage, I used to paint film posters with my father from 1974 to 1982,' he said.
His introduction to the craft came early. 'My first poster was in 1974 when I was just 14 years old. It was for Prem Nagar. I personally painted all those banners,' Bhosale recalled. His father's assignments included posters for several Hema Malini starrers of that era — among them Lal Patthar, Sharafat, and Bhai Ho To Aisa.
A Full-Circle Moment
Bhosale described the arc from poster painter to stage co-performer as a remarkable full-circle journey. Years after painting her likeness on hoardings, he not only met Hema Malini in person but also toured internationally with her. 'It is a coincidence that my first foreign tour, to the Fiji Islands in 1984, was with Hemaji,' he said.
The anecdote captures a side of the Hindi film industry that rarely makes headlines — the vast ecosystem of artisans, craftsmen, and behind-the-scenes contributors who shaped Bollywood's golden era long before digital printing made hand-painted hoardings obsolete.
Celebrating a Cinema Legend
The event marked six decades of Hema Malini's presence in Hindi cinema. Known widely as Bollywood's 'Dream Girl', she made her Hindi film debut opposite Raj Kapoor in Sapno Ka Saudagar in 1968. Over the following six decades, she delivered defining performances in films including Seeta Aur Geeta, Sholay, Dream Girl, Satte Pe Satta, Kranti, Trishul, and Baghban.
Beyond acting, Hema Malini is an acclaimed Bharatanatyam exponent, filmmaker, author, and currently serves as a Member of Parliament from Mathura.
Bhosale's Excitement at the Tribute
Bhosale expressed genuine delight at being part of the celebration. He said he was thrilled to share the stage with senior artistes and pay tribute to one of Indian cinema's most enduring female icons. His personal history with Hema Malini — stretching from a teenage poster painter to a fellow performer — gave his tribute an intimacy that few others at the event could claim.
As the Hindi film industry continues to honour its veterans, moments like these serve as a reminder of the layered, often unrecorded histories that underpin its most iconic careers.
Point of View
And the men who produced them rarely appear in the industry's official memory. That one of those craftsmen grew up to share the stage with the very actress he once painted is a compelling story, but mainstream coverage will likely reduce it to a feel-good footnote. The more durable question is whether the industry's celebratory events are doing enough to document these peripheral histories before they disappear entirely.
NationPress
11 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Sudesh Bhosale reveal about his connection to Hema Malini?
Sudesh Bhosale revealed that he painted Hema Malini's film posters alongside his father between 1974 and 1982, years before becoming a playback singer. His first poster, for the film Prem Nagar, was painted in 1974 when he was just 14 years old.
Which films' posters did Sudesh Bhosale paint featuring Hema Malini?
Bhosale's father worked on posters for several Hema Malini films during that period, including Lal Patthar, Sharafat, and Bhai Ho To Aisa. Bhosale personally painted all the banners he was assigned.
When did Sudesh Bhosale first tour internationally with Hema Malini?
Bhosale's first foreign tour was to the Fiji Islands in 1984, and it was with Hema Malini. He described it as a coincidence that underscored the full-circle nature of their connection.
How many years has Hema Malini been in Indian cinema?
Hema Malini is celebrating 60 years in Indian cinema. She made her Hindi film debut in Sapno Ka Saudagar in 1968, opposite Raj Kapoor, and has since appeared in iconic films such as Sholay, Seeta Aur Geeta, and Baghban.
What is Hema Malini known for beyond acting?
Beyond her film career, Hema Malini is an acclaimed Bharatanatyam dancer, filmmaker, and author. She currently serves as a Member of Parliament from Mathura.
