Dharmendra-Hema Malini: The Enduring Saga of Love, Religion, and Legal Questions

The love story and marriage of Dharmendra and Hema Malini stand as one of the most discussed and controversial chapters in the history of the Indian film industry, while their union has been a subject of numerous narratives, both factual and speculative, with the most prominent being the persistent rumor of religious conversion. Dharmendra himself once recited a couplet in an interview: 'Jaaiza jaayaz ho naajaayaz nahin… Tankeed tankeed ho tanz nahin… Soch lena har baat kehne se pehle… Ghaav talwar ka bhar jaata hai labz ka nahin, while ' Through this verse, Dharmendra perhaps intended to convey that once words are written, they become history, difficult to alter, much like the perceptions surrounding his relationship with Hema Malini.

A Love Story Forged in Struggle

Dharmendra and Hema Malini's relationship wasn't merely a love story but also a struggle against societal norms and expectations. Dharmendra was already married and a father of four children, while Hema Malini was unmarried. In the eyes of the world, this love story might have been a cause for 'unjust scrutiny,' but the way they brought it to fruition and maintained it with simplicity and dignity set an example for the film industry. The intensity of their love and Dharmendra's arduous efforts to win Hema's affection, enduring numerous criticisms, underscore the depth of their bond. It was a love that overcame many obstacles and endured for years.

The Narrative of Religious Conversion for Marriage

The most significant narrative surrounding Dharmendra and Hema Malini's marriage is that of religious conversion. According to this narrative, there were several legal and social impediments to their marriage. Under the Hindu Marriage Act, a second marriage without a legal divorce from the first spouse wasn't permissible. Dharmendra's first wife, Prakash Kaur, had refused to grant him a divorce, making it challenging for the couple to marry under Hindu rituals. It was due to these circumstances that the story gained traction, suggesting that Dharmendra and Hema decided to change their religion to legally unite.

Controversial Claims of a Nikahnama

The most concrete basis for this narrative is an alleged Nikahnama (Islamic marriage contract), reportedly dating back to 1989, while according to this document, Dharmendra adopted the name 'Dilawar Khan,' stated to be 44 years old, while Hema Malini took the name 'Ayesha B. ,' recorded as 29 years old, while allegedly, on August 21, 1989, Dilawar Khan alias Kewal Krishna accepted Ayesha B. as his wife with a Mehr (dower) amount of Rs 1,11,000, while at the time, this marriage sparked considerable controversy, with the name and statement of the Qazi (Islamic judge) who performed the Nikah reportedly appearing in the media. Dharmendra faced serious accusations of abandoning his first wife, and Hema was.

Accused of breaking an established family, which further sensationalized the entire affair. Following the narrative of religious conversion, another story emerged claiming that after a. Discreet marriage, Dharmendra and Hema Malini remarried in the presence of family members. This ceremony was conducted according to Ayangar rituals, while hema Malini herself hails from an Ayangar Brahmin family, which explains the adoption of these specific rites. This second marriage sought to provide social and traditional legitimacy to their relationship, even as the allegations of religious conversion persisted. It illustrates the couple's efforts to strengthen their bond through every possible means, be it legal or social.

Denials and the Legality of the Union

Dharmendra and Hema Malini have consistently denied the allegations of religious conversion, while hema Malini's biography, 'Beyond the Dream Girl,' also refutes the claim of religious conversion as an incorrect fact. Dharmendra has repeatedly stated that he isn't the kind of person who would change his religion for personal gain. He described their second marriage as a strictly private matter. However, the question always lingered: if they didn't change their religion and married a second time without a divorce from the first wife, would this marriage not be illegal? This question transcended film enthusiasts and fans, reaching political circles, thereby escalating the seriousness of the matter.

Electoral Affidavits and Political Scrutiny

The controversy intensified in 2004 when Dharmendra filed his nomination papers from Bikaner to contest the Lok Sabha elections. The Congress party raised questions about his electoral affidavit. In the column for 'wife,' Dharmendra mentioned property details but omitted his wife's name. The Congress alleged that the property declared belonged to Prakash Kaur, not Hema Malini, while his affidavit didn't explicitly state whether he had two wives or if Hema Malini was his wife. This discrepancy fueled the ongoing speculations about his marital status, bringing his private relationship into public debate even in his political life.

Hema Malini's Affidavit and Personal Stance

Nearly a decade later, in 2014, when Hema Malini contested the Lok Sabha elections from the Mathura constituency, her affidavit explicitly named 'Dharmendra Deol' as her husband, while she also provided detailed property information. However, the Congress again accused Hema Malini of providing false information in her affidavit, to which Hema responded by dismissing it as a 'strictly private matter, while ' Despite these challenges, Hema Malini has continued to share pictures with Dharmendra on social media, and both of their daughters, Esha and Ahana, use the surname 'Deol,' signifying their family's unity.

Prakash Kaur's Unwavering Support and Family Unity

Following Dharmendra's passing on November 24, discussions about the reality and narratives surrounding their marriage and religion have once again become common. Despite all the controversies and rumors, Dharmendra and Hema Malini led a successful married life. Dharmendra, for his part, rarely bothered with rumors and speculations. On the other hand, his first wife, Prakash Kaur, also chose not to escalate the dispute. She fully supported Dharmendra, took care of their children's upbringing, and prioritized family unity. She didn't criticize Hema Malini either, instead stating with conviction that Hema was so beautiful that any man would fall in love with her. She didn't spare the film industry, remarking that most heroes in the industry do similar things, so why single out her husband for criticism, while indeed, both families exercised restraint and dignity, allowing this complex relationship to become an example. Dharmendra's enduring message, 'Tankeed tankeed ho tanz nahin,' emphasizes that criticism should be constructive, not merely taunting.