'Dream Girl', Hema Malini was truly ruling the world of Indian cinema back in the 1970s and 1980s. But having captured the hearts of fans far and wide, the gorgeous actress wanted to try her hand at something new, which was direction. Hema made her directorial debut with the 1992 film, Dil Aashna Hai. She even directed the hottest new talent of the time, Shah Rukh Khan, in the lead role. Surprisingly, though, it was her own husband, Dharmendra, who refused to work under her direction.
Hema Malini, who is married to legendary actor, Dharmendra revealed that she had wanted to cast him in her first film. However, despite Hema wanting him to play an 'important role' in her film, 'he was not willing to act under' her direction. Dharmendra was also missing during the film's muhurat, which further fueled the rumour mill. But the actor shut down gossip once and for all by attending the film's audio launch and premiere.
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According to Hema too, the actor was in the USA during the same, which is why he couldn't make an appearance. She further confirmed that Dharmendra had been fully supportive during the film's making. Hema said:
"I wanted Dharam-ji to play an important role in my film, but he was not willing to act under my direction. People said all kinds of things after the film's mahurat because Dharam-ji couldn't attend the party. But there was no truth to that. He couldn't attend it because he was in America. Every day I used to update him about the film's developments. He was a great support. My daughters too were particularly excited about this film."
Hema's biography titled Hema Malini: Beyond the Dream Girl, penned by Ram Kamal Mukherjee, revealed that she had reached out to other actors as well. In it, Hema opened up about trying to sign Vinod Khanna and Amitabh Bachchan. While the former couldn't find time in his schedule for the shoot, the latter was on sabbatical at that time. So, both actors ended up refusing. Hema said:
"For Dil Aashna Hai, I wanted to sign Vinod Khanna. But he couldn't do the film because he couldn't accommodate those dates. Actually, I had originally approached Amitabh Bachchan to do this role, but at that time he told me that he wasn't signing any films."
While Hema may not have had the opportunity to direct her husband, Dharmendra, in a film, she has shared screen space with him multiple times. The pair have starred together in 42 movies, and their sizzling chemistry has always been much-loved by fans. Their time working together has led to a lot of rumours as well.
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One story from the sets of Sholay says that Dharmendra had bribed the light boys with money to cause a disturbance with the set light. This led to the pair having to do multiple takes, which gave him many opportunities to hold Hema in his arms.
What do you think about Dharmendra refusing to work under his wife, Hema Malini's direction?
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