The legacy of Basanti still casts a long shadow over Hema Malini, who frequently harks back to her iconic role as the spirited tonga puller from the 1975 cult classic "Sholay" during her political rallies. Candidly, she admits that she may never truly escape its influence.
As a cinema legend and a Member of Parliament representing the BJP, Malini is currently vying for her third term in the Lok Sabha from Mathura constituency.
“I will never come out of the Basanti shadow. It will always be there. I was born with that. I have done 200 films and people still remember me as ‘Sholay ki Basanti’ or from ‘Seeta Aur Geeta’ and ‘Baghban’,” she said.
“I tell everyone that I am three in one — a film artiste, a dancer and a politician,” Malini told PTI in an exclusive interview here.
Nearly five decades since its release, Ramesh Sippy's "Sholay" remains a timeless classic, with its ensemble cast and unforgettable characters etched into the minds of audiences. Among them, Basanti stands out as one of Malini's most cherished portrayals.
At 75, Malini, a proficient Bharatanatyam dancer, continues to mesmerize audiences with her performances at live shows.
“I am dedicated to my classical dance… I am thankful to god that I was given the opportunities at the right time,”. she remarked.
Although her last film appearance was in the 2020 romance drama "Shimla Mirchi," also directed by Sippy, Malini expressed her eagerness to await the perfect script.
“If there are any good roles in films, I will also do that. If somebody offers me a nice role which suits me in today’s time, I definitely will do it. But nothing is in the pipeline as of now,” she clarified.
With a career spanning six decades and over 200 films, Malini has also ventured into directing, helming movies like the Shah Rukh Khan-starrer "Dil Aashna Hai" (1992) and "Tell Me O Kkhuda" (2011) featuring her daughter Esha Deol.
Regarding her future directorial endeavors, Malini simply stated, "It's a work in progress." Known for her dedication to yoga, Malini emphasized the importance of maintaining good health.
“You should have the intention to look good and the intention to keep your health well… Be a little spiritual… I have all these things with me,” she added.
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