Veteran filmmaker Ramesh Sippy has paid tribute to actress and politician Hema Malini, lauding her exceptional professionalism as she completes more than six decades in Indian cinema. The occasion is being marked with 'The Dream Girl's Diamond Jubilee Concert', organised in collaboration with the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE), scheduled for 10 July at Shanmukhananda Hall in Sion, Mumbai.

Sippy Reflects on Six Decades of Hema Malini

Speaking at a press conference held at The Millennium Club, Mumbai, Sippy — who directed Hema Malini in landmark films including 'Andaz', 'Sholay', and 'Seeta Aur Geeta' — recalled her extraordinary range and screen presence. 'It's a very good journey. She has taken different forms, she has played different roles. And, she has played all of them in a very good way. And, I think there are very few people like her. There may not be someone who can claim as much as she has done,' Sippy said.

When asked about the powerful roles he crafted for her, Sippy deflected credit back to the actress, citing her natural charisma. 'Why not say that she has been so good, that she has gone ahead of the roles that were offered to her. So, there must be an actor and an actress, who can show their charisma. She has done a great job,' he added.

A Star-Studded Evening of Nostalgia

The concert is designed to be more than a musical event — it will offer audiences a curated journey through Hema Malini's 60-year film career. Confirmed performers include actress Padmini Kolhapure, music composer Annu Malik, singers Kavita Krishnamurthy, Purnima, Sudesh Bhosle, Suresh Wadkar, Anup Jalota, and Shabbir Kumar, among others. Hema Malini herself is expected to share personal anecdotes from her life and career during the event.

Also present at the press conference were FWICE President B.N. Tiwari, Advisor Ashok Pandit, General Secretary Ashok Dubey, Treasurer Gangeshwar Lal Shrivastava 'Sanju', actress Vijayta Pandit, Kiran Juneja, and RJ Anirudh Chawla, all of whom shared personal memories of working with or witnessing the actress's journey.

Hema Malini's Message: Gratitude to Cinema's Unsung Workers

In a video message shared at the press conference, Hema Malini spoke warmly about FWICE and the lakhs of workers associated with the film industry. She noted that for the first time, she would share her 60-year journey in films and music directly with her fans. She acknowledged the immense love she and husband Dharmendra have received from audiences, co-artists, producers, directors, writers, lyricists, musicians, and industry bodies alike, describing the concert as an opportunity to express gratitude.

From the Silver Screen to Public Service

Sippy also addressed Hema Malini's parallel career in politics, drawing a thread of continuity between her on-screen dedication and her public service. 'She always wants to do something good. She was doing for her films, she was doing for the film industry. And, now, she is doing for the common people,' he observed.

This is notably the first large-scale retrospective event honouring Hema Malini's complete cinematic arc, bringing together luminaries from across generations of Indian cinema. As the curtain rises on 10 July at Shanmukhananda Hall, the evening promises to be a rare convergence of nostalgia, live performance, and personal testimony from one of Bollywood's most enduring icons.