Dream team

Hema Malini on directing hubby Dharmendra and daughter Esha, producing a TV show and running a full house

At 62, Hema Malini can still dazzle with her looks. Maybe it's the whistle-stop schedule this former Dream Girl swears by. The actress reveals how husband Dharmendra reacted to her telling him how she wanted a shot in Tell Me Oh Khuda, producing Maati Ki Banno, that also has a rural setting, on Colors, keeping a demanding family happy (Dharmendra completes his golden jubilee in the industry) and her
dancing assignments.

How do you juggle work and home?
I get a lot of firing from all my family members at home because of this. This is a really delicate question.

You're producing a TV show now. Do you even watch TV?
I like Uttaran, Balika Vadhu and Naa Aana Is Des Laado.

After being a star for decades, can you really feel the pulse of village life?
We have been born and brought up in cities. When we look at development here, we tend to forget how people live in villages. I know a little, because I have shot in different parts of our country. We have started shooting in foreign countries only recently; I've shot in a village near Mysore, a village near Nasiku00a0-- so I have an idea. Furthermore, my dance shows take place in various locations too. Also, when I started campaigning for my party, I visited various villages which were next to impossible to reach, save by helicopter. As creative people who live in cities, it's our responsibility to highlight the lives of people in the villages.

Recently, your superhit film Seeta Aur Geeta was remade on TV. What is your take on it?
Popular stories ko chhedna nahin chahiye. If you try to make Sholay on the small screen, it will be a big
problem.

Dharmendra is completing 50 years in Hindi cinema this year. Any major celebrations planned?
Well, Sunny is planning something very big. Mr Rajnikanth celebrated it this month when he presented Dharamji and me with a Legend Award. Rajnikanth himself is a legend; and he gave the Legend Award to both of us!

Yamla Pagla Deewana showcase the three Deols (Dharmendra, Sunny and Bobby) in a new comic avatar. Comment.
It's a complete comedy but has emotional moments too. Dharamji keeps telling me the story ufffd ki aaisa hai, phir waisa hai. With all three of them coming together, dhamaal hona hi chahiye.

No hiccups while directing your hubby?
Initially, it was tough as Dharamji didn't agree to what I would say. Then I told him 'I want the scene like this'; and he ceded, 'Yes you know better'.