Mumbai, May 30: Bollywood actress Poonam Dhillon recently shared her memories of legendary stars Hema Malini and Dharmendra in an exclusive interview. She revealed that when she first entered the film industry, she had little understanding of the world of cinema and its big names. However, as she gained experience, she had the opportunity to know these artists more closely.
During the conversation, Poonam recalled, “My first shot in the film ‘Trishul’ was with the great Amitabh Bachchan, but when I worked with Hema Malini for the first time, I was astonished by her beauty. I couldn’t take my eyes off her. Her eyes, her lips, and her entire personality were captivating. Even today, Hema Malini looks just as beautiful.”
Poonam added, “If any girl dreams of becoming an actress today, she surely wishes to be like Hema Malini. I worked with her in the film ‘Dard,’ where Rajesh Khanna played a double role. We also shared the screen in films like ‘Ek Chadar Maili Si.’ Beyond films, we often met, and Hema Malini always showered me with love and warmth.”
During the interview, Poonam also shared a humorous anecdote about Dharmendra. She mentioned, “I worked with Dharmendra in six or seven films, although I never appeared as a romantic lead opposite him. While shooting a film in Ooty, actress Smita Patil was also present. Everyone on set affectionately called Dharmendra ‘Dharm Paji.’ Seeing this, Smita and I began calling him ‘Paji’ too.”
Poonam continued, “After hearing us, one day Dharmendra jokingly said, ‘Tell these girls not to call me Paji.’ There was always a special bond and warmth when I met him. He greeted everyone with joy. Besides Hema and Dharmendra, I have also worked with Sunny Deol in several films.”
In the interview, Poonam Dhillon candidly discussed the changing landscape of the film industry and the increasing competition. She stated, “Today, there is not less work; in fact, it has increased significantly. Films are being made, television work is ongoing, and new content is constantly emerging on OTT platforms. However, the number of actors has also surged. Previously, most people based in Mumbai came to work in films, but that’s no longer the case. The internet and social media have connected the entire world. Through platforms like Instagram and Facebook, people can directly reach filmmakers.”
She further explained, “Today, any talented person, whether sitting in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, or Punjab, can reach filmmakers through their reels and videos. Filmmakers are now able to see talent from different regions. They say, ‘Wow, this actor is great,’ or ‘Have you seen this reel? This dancer is amazing.’ That’s why many new faces are entering the industry. Sometimes, older artists feel they have less work, but that’s not true. The work has increased; there are just more options now.”
Poonam emphasized that there are opportunities for both artists and technicians in the industry, but any disputes should not harm the smaller individuals. She noted that if there is a clash between producers and technicians, it is the daily wage workers who suffer the most. Therefore, every issue in the industry should be resolved through dialogue and understanding.
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