Hema Malini - A Dream Girl that South Cinema ignored!

Not many might know that Hema Malini like Waheeda Rahman started her career in South Indian films but later migrated to Hindi films and became, Dream Girl. She started looking for acting opportunities after getting trained as a Bharatanatyam dancer.

She did send her photographs to Then Manasulu film crew when they announced the search for new talent. It is the film that launched Superstar Krishna's career as a hero.

The panel consisted of ANR, writer Ramana and few others. Ramana, famous Telugu writer ane one half of famous Film duo, Bapu-Ramana, rejected her photo and selected others. He wrote this in his book, Kothi Kommachi, saying how he missed launching a big talent.

She got an opportunity to show off her dancing talent in Telugu film, Sri Krishnavijayam, in the song, Joharu Sikhipinchamouli and it was shot in colour. Before that, she appeared in a song in Pandava Vanasam.

Sapno ka Saudagar, Johny Mera Naam, Seetha our Geetha, Andaz, Tere Mere Sapne, Sholay, Dream Girl, Naseeb, Satte Pe Satta, Razia Sultan are some of her most remembered films. She became famous because of a love affair with Dharmender, the star actor and their marriage was also a huge sensation.

In her career spanning more than 5 decades, as she recently did Gautamiputra Satakarni in Telugu, she managed to stay in the hearts of Indian film lovers as Basanti from Sholay and Dream Girl. She got nominated 11 times for Filmfare awards as Best Actress, winning once.

She became a director with Dil Aashna Hain and in the film, she directed none other than Shah Rukh Khan, at the beginning of his career. She joined politics with her husband and became Member of Parliament thrice now.

The first time, she was nominated to Rajya Sabha and next she won from Mathura two times - in 2014 & 2019. She is the first woman who showed to actresses that they don't have to limit themselves to acting and then being homemakers after the career has ended. She got Padma Shri, not just because of her acting talent but her work to keep Bharatnatyam popular, as until recently, she gave stage shows and also worked towards the betterment of women in arts from India.

Well, her contribution might not be as glorified as Malala Yousafzai but she silently inspired many to not just dream but achieve. Surely, she lived a dream and gave justification to title, Dream Girl. Maybe she had to achieve so much more than she sorted out for, hence, she did not get a start in South Indian films. Had she, she might have not been enjoying this blessing of life! Happy Birthday to eternal Dream Girl ... Kasi Shayar Ka Ghazal!