Esha Deol Learnt About Dad, Dharmendra’s First Marriage In Class 4, Said, ‘I Have Only One Mother’

Dharmendra is still one of the most charming actors in the Hindi film industry. Voted among the ten most handsome men in the world in the 70s. Not just looks, but Dharmendra proved his versatility on screen with some splendid films. The veteran actor has some amazing performances to his credit, including Phool Aur Pathar, Mera Gaon Mera Desh, Yaadon Ki Baaraat, Resham Ki Dori, Sholay, and many more.

While his female fans were crazy about him and would wait hours for a glimpse of him, he was smitten by the ‘Dream Girl’ of Indian cinema, Hema Malini. The enigmatic Dharmendra managed to spell his charm on Hema, who too, couldn’t help but fall for him. However, Dharmendra was already a married man when he met Hema.

Before meeting Hema Malini, Dharmendra got married to Prakash Kaur in 1957, with whom he had four kids, Sunny Deol, Bobby Deol, Vijeta, and Ajeeta. However, despite his marital status, Dharmendra continued his affair with Hema Malini. When Dharmendra and Hema wished to marry, Prakash wasn’t ready to leave her husband. To keep both his wives, the actor converted to Islam and got married to Hema Malini. The couple then welcomed two daughters, Esha Deol and Ahaana Deol.

Esha Deol got to know about her father’s first marriage when she was in class 4

Did you know that Esha Deol wasn’t aware of her father’s already marital status? It was from one of her classmates in standard four that the actress learned about it. In Hema Malini’s biography, Hema Malini: Beyond the Dream Girl, by Ram Kamal Mukherjee, Esha talked about it and recalled how her classmate asked her, ‘You have two moms, right?’ Confused by her friends’ question, Esha snapped back:

“I immediately snapped back at my classmate, saying, ‘What rubbish! I have only one mother’.”

How did Esha Deol react when she got to know about Dharmendra’s marriage to Prakash Kaur?

Curious about her friend’s question, Esha Deol went home and asked her mother about it. At that moment, when Hema told Esha about Dharmendra’s first marriage. Elaborating about it, she said:

“The moment I reached home, I told my mom that a friend was asking me this question. I think it was at that point of time that my mom decided to tell me the truth. Imagine, we were in the fourth standard and had no idea about anything Nowadays kids are much smarter. So, that was when I understood that my mother had married someone who was already married to another lady and that they also had a family. But frankly speaking, I never felt bad about it. Till today, I don’t think there is anything wrong with it. And I give full credit to my parents for not making us ever feel uncomfortable.”

Dharmendra and Hema Malini lived apart after marriage, and he never stayed back with their kids

When Dharmendra married Hema, many fingers were pointed at her. She was called the other woman and was also held responsible for breaking up Dharmendra’s family. Since Hema didn’t want to hurt or disturb anyone, she chose to live with her daughters, Esha and Ahaana, and Dharmendra lived with his first wife, Prakash and their kids.

Hema was aware that her marriage to Dharmendra was unconventional, but she let it be. Talking about the same in her autobiography, Hema said that despite not living with them, Dharmendra always fulfilled his duties as a husband and father.

He would visit Hema and the kids and share a meal with them, but would not stay back. Esha, who visited her friend’s home, witnessed a different setup and saw both parents living together. It was then that she realised that it was normal for dads to be around. Esha mentioned in her mom’s autobiography that she and her sister were groomed in such a way that it didn’t affect them.

What do you think about Hema Malini’s unconventional marriage and Esha Deol’s revelation?

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