The Dream Girl of Bollywood aka Hema Malini is celebrating her birthday today. The actress made her debut in 1970 in Tum Haseen Main Jawaan with actor Dharmendra, whom she later married. She has been a part of over 100 films in a career spanning five decades. In 2000, the actress was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award at Filmfare. The award was handed to her by veteran actress Jaya Bachchan.
Accepting the award, she said, “It gives me great pleasure and honour to receive this award for my contribution to the Indian cinema. I am extremely happy and proud to be a part of this film industry. My many years of my presence and hard work have been recognised and appreciated by Filmfare and Times of India.”
She continued, “I am very much thankful to them. Though I personally feel that this kind of award is too early for me to receive because I feel I have yet to achieve a lot of thing in my life. I am constantly doing a lot of things. Planning a lot of proposals. In the future, for the benefit of art lovers. If I achieve my goal successfully then I will feel I am worth receiving this award.”
Recalling her Filmfare Award for Seeta Aur Geeta, she shared, “In my entire career I have very few such awards. Probably because these kind of awards were not there at that time. Except Filmfare awards, I am glad I received the Best Actress award for Sita Aur Geeta at that time from Filmfare. At this moment I am reminded of the words of Lord Krishna From Bhagwad Geeta – ‘Wherever there is excellence, wherever there is beauty, wherever there is the highest wisdom, strength etc, know that reside in them.’ Whenever people appreciate me, adore me for my work, I am constantly reminded of my humble contribution as an instrument representing him.”
She further stated, “So, I know who is behind all these adulations. My numerous fans and a lot of people who love me so much that they will be happy to see me receiving this award today. I accept this award specially for them. I take this opportunity to thank all those wonderful producers, directors and lovely co-stars with whom I have worked and completed almost 200 films. My friends, well-wishers who have inspired me and admired me for my work, and my family who have been guiding me and have been with me in all spheres of life. And above all, my mother, without whom I am nothing. I thank all those people for making me stand in front of you today.”