On Dharmendra’s 85th birthday,  Hema Malini talks about her equation with Dharmendra over the years, and how they strike a balance. They have been married for more than four decades now.

Veteran Bollywood superstar Dharmendra is planning to celebrate his birthday with Hema Malini and their children Ahana and Esha Deol. Talking about their children, Malini stated that the most precious gift Dharmendra has given her till now is their children. And even as years go by, the love the pair has for each other has remained strong.

Hema Malini said that her marriage with Dharmendra was “another important event” in her life, and it was all about arts earlier. “I was born and brought up in a family which lay great emphasis on the arts. I was dedicated to dance. My mother was keen that I pursue it always. Marriage with Dharamji was another important event in my life.” Dharmendra celebrates his 85th birthday on Wednesday.

There was a time when Hema was going to marry actor Jeetendra after he expressed his love for her. Hema was forced to think about the proposal of Jitendra. At that time, she was tense about her relationship with Dharmendra. While the family members Hema and Jeetendra were talking, Dharmendra spoke to Hema over the phone and asked her to meet him once before making any decision.

Jeetendra decided to go to Tirupati temple and get married to Hema. Dharmendra reached Hema’s house directly in Chennai by the next flight. Jeetendra’s desire to marry Hema remained unfulfilled and finally in 1976, Jitendra married his girlfriend Shobha.

Dharmendra married Hema Malini by changing his religion. It is said that Dharmendra’s first wife had refused to divorce him, so both of them changed their religion and got married.