Hema Malini, one of Bollywood’s most celebrated actresses, has opened up about her career and the reality of actors’ earnings during her time in the film industry. Often referred to as Bollywood’s “Dream Girl”, Hema dismissed the long-standing belief that she was among the highest paid actresses of her era, saying the financial rewards were nothing like what today’s stars receive.
Speaking on a recent podcast, Hema Malini said that actors in her generation were paid much smaller amounts. She explained that although she was a popular choice among filmmakers and her fee increased gradually as her popularity grew, it was never anywhere close to the huge salaries that leading actors command today. According to her, she never worked in films with money as her main priority.
The veteran actress also shared that she values the love, respect and recognition she earned throughout her career more than the money she received. She said she and her family never placed strict financial demands before signing films. If a producer had budget limitations, they accepted the offer without creating difficulties. Hema recalled that her mother managed all her professional dealings and was always understanding towards producers, encouraging them to pay whatever they could comfortably afford. She added that they accepted the payment they received with gratitude instead of negotiating aggressively.
Apart from her successful acting career, Hema Malini has also built a strong presence in politics. She joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in 2004 and currently serves as a BJP Member of Parliament from Mathura. She regularly raises public issues and shares updates through her social media platforms.
Hema Malini has spent more than six decades in the Indian film industry and remains one of Bollywood’s most iconic stars. Over the years, she has delivered memorable performances in blockbuster films such as Seeta Aur Geeta, Sholay, Dream Girl, The Burning Train, Baghban and many others, earning the title of Bollywood’s legendary “Dream Girl”.
Hema Malini was married to veteran Bollywood actor Dharmendra, who p@ssed @way in November 2025. Together, they had two daughters – actress Esha Deol and Ahana Deol. Despite her remarkable success in films and politics, Hema says the greatest reward of her journey has been the admiration and affection she continues to receive from people across generations.
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