‘I Wouldn’t Have Done It’: Dharmendra’s First Wife Prakash Kaur’s Rare Remark on His Marriage With Hema Malini Sparks Buzz

Hema Malini and Dharmendra ’s legendary romance has always fascinated Bollywood fans, but after Dharmendra’s passing on November 24, an old remark by his first wife Prakash Kaur has resurfaced rekindling conversations about one of Hindi cinema’s most complex relationships.

A Love Born on Set, Shadowed by Reality

Their love blossomed during the filming of Tum Haseen Main Jawan. Hema, the nation’s beloved Dream Girl, and Dharmendra, Bollywood’s action hero, fell deeply for each other. But their story came with a painful complication Dharmendra was already married to Prakash Kaur and a father of four.

Two Families, One Man, Parallel Lives

For decades, Dharmendra lived an unusual dual existence. While he remained married to Prakash Kaur, he also built a home with Hema Malini and their daughters, Esha and Ahana. Hema once shared that she met Prakash only once before her wedding and never again. She raised her daughters independently, with Dharmendra visiting often but navigating responsibilities on both sides.

A Rare Gesture of Warmth

Not many know that Dharmendra’s mother, Satwant Kaur, visited Hema after the birth of Esha. This simple gesture became a rare moment of warmth between two families otherwise separated by circumstance and emotion.

Prakash Kaur’s Honest, Heartfelt Take

In a resurfaced old interview, Prakash Kaur didn’t hide her disappointment. She said, “If I were in Hema’s place, I would not have done what she did. For, as a woman, I can understand her feelings. But as a wife and a mother, I do not approve of them."

Her words reflect both empathy for Hema’s feelings and hurt as the first wife who built a life with Dharmendra long before his superstardom.

A Marriage Wrapped in Controversy

The couple’s wedding in 1980 remains one of Bollywood’s most debated events. To avoid divorce, they reportedly converted to Islam Dharmendra becoming Dilawar Khan and Hema adopting the name Aisha Bi. They had a private Nikah, followed later by an Iyengar-style ceremony to honour Hema’s heritage.

A Story That Still Stirs Hearts

Even today, the Dharmendra–Hema–Prakash equation remains a reminder of how love, loyalty, and personal choices can intertwine in complicated ways. With Dharmendra’s passing, old memories and unsaid emotions have resurfaced bringing their story back into public conversation once again.