No celebration for the Dream Girl

Indian cinema’s original Dream Girl Hema Malini turned 70 on October 16. She’s unfazed by age.  “40, 60, 70…It’s all a number. When I turned 40, I thought I had reached a turning-point in my life. But I continued doing the same things after 40 that I did before 40. For me, my constituency, dance and my family are of utmost importance. Baqi sab kuch aata-jataa rahega (the rest comes and goes).”

Speaking of family, Hema Malini was without her better-half this birthday. “Dharamji is in San Francisco visiting his daughter. But I am never alone. I’ve my daughters, sons-in-law and grandchildren. So there’s no dearth of company for me.”

Hemaji is in no mood for celebrations though. “Look at how much is wrong in our country. There are so many issues to be addressed. We can’t turn a blind eye to these problems and pretend to be happy,” says Hema pensively.

She gives priority to the safety of women in the country. “Whether it is in the entertainment industry or any workplace a woman should feel safe and comfortable while working.”