Hema Malini reveals Dharmendra's on-set improvisation in 'Kal Ki Haseen Mulaqaat'
Synopsis
Hema Malini has revealed that the iconic opening of 'Kal Ki Haseen Mulaqaat' from the 1976 classic 'Charas' was not strictly choreographed — Dharmendra improvised it on the spot, and she adapted in real time. It's a rare glimpse into how spontaneity shaped one of Hindi cinema's most beloved duets.
Key Takeaways
Hema Malini shared that Dharmendra frequently improvised beyond the choreographer's brief during the filming of 'Kal Ki Haseen Mulaqaat' .
The song is from the 1976 film 'Charas' , directed by Ramanand Sagar .
The duet was sung by Kishore Kumar and Lata Mangeshkar , with music by Laxmikant–Pyarelal . 'Charas' was set against the 1972 expulsion of Indians from Uganda under dictator Idi Amin .
Hema Malini and Dharmendra have starred together in over 25 films , including 'Sholay' and 'Dream Girl' .
Veteran actress Hema Malini has shared a behind-the-scenes anecdote about the making of the beloved romantic number 'Kal Ki Haseen Mulaqaat' from the 1976 film 'Charas', recalling how co-star Dharmendra spontaneously reimagined the song's opening choreography — and how she adapted her own performance to match his creative instincts.
Dharmendra's Creative Instincts on Set
Hema Malini recalled that while the song had a formal choreography, Dharmendra rarely stuck to the script. 'That song was scripted here, but it was shot abroad. We were all shooting, and there were so many wonderful songs. Dharam ji used to add a lot of things from his side. Whatever the dance director choreographed, it wouldn't always happen exactly that way. Dharam ji would bring his own ideas and expressions into it. Naturally, I would adapt my performance accordingly,' she said.
She singled out the opening sequence as particularly memorable: 'The opening of Kal Ki Haseen Mulaqaat was so interesting. I was pushing him, and then he would come back inside again. These little things made the performance special.'
About the Film 'Charas'
'Charas', directed by Ramanand Sagar, was set against the backdrop of the expulsion of the Indian community from Uganda by dictator Idi Amin in 1972. The film featured an ensemble cast including Dharmendra, Hema Malini, Ajit, Amjad Khan, Sujit Kumar, Aruna Irani, Asrani, Keshto Mukherjee, and Tom Alter.
The Song and Its Musical Legacy
'Kal Ki Haseen Mulaqat Ke Liye' is a romantic duet rendered by two legends of Hindi playback singing — Kishore Kumar and Lata Mangeshkar — with music composed by the iconic duo Laxmikant–Pyarelal. The combination of an emotionally resonant melody and Dharmendra's unscripted moves helped cement the song's enduring appeal.
A Screen Partnership Spanning 25 Films
The on-screen chemistry Hema Malini describes is no coincidence. The actress and Dharmendra — who later married — appeared together in more than 25 films over their careers. Their most celebrated collaborations include 'Tum Haseen Main Jawaan', 'Seeta Aur Geeta', 'Sholay', 'Dream Girl', and 'The Burning Train', among several others.
Hema Malini's recollections offer a rare window into the spontaneous artistry that shaped some of Hindi cinema's most beloved sequences — and a reminder that the most memorable moments on screen are often the unplanned ones.
Point of View
And his co-star reading and matching it instinctively. That dynamic, born of over two decades of on-screen partnership, is precisely what mainstream retrospectives reduce to 'great chemistry.' The deeper story is about how the Hindi film industry of the 1970s accommodated — even encouraged — star improvisation in a way that modern, tightly scheduled productions rarely do. Dharmendra's on-set spontaneity was not an exception; it was a production culture.
NationPress
10 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Hema Malini reveal about 'Kal Ki Haseen Mulaqaat' from 'Charas'?
Hema Malini revealed that co-star Dharmendra improvised the opening steps of the song rather than strictly following the choreographer's plan. She said she adapted her own performance to match his spontaneous moves, and that these unscripted moments made the sequence special.
Who directed the 1976 film 'Charas'?
'Charas' was directed by Ramanand Sagar. The film was set against the backdrop of the 1972 expulsion of the Indian community from Uganda under dictator Idi Amin.
Who sang 'Kal Ki Haseen Mulaqaat' from 'Charas'?
The song was sung by legendary playback singers Kishore Kumar and Lata Mangeshkar, with music composed by the iconic duo Laxmikant–Pyarelal.
How many films have Hema Malini and Dharmendra starred in together?
Hema Malini and Dharmendra have appeared together in more than 25 films. Their most celebrated collaborations include 'Seeta Aur Geeta', 'Sholay', 'Dream Girl', and 'The Burning Train'.
Where was 'Kal Ki Haseen Mulaqaat' filmed?
According to Hema Malini, the song was scripted in India but filmed abroad. She did not specify the exact overseas location in her remarks.
