Hema Malini is known for generations like Bollywood’s timeless “Dream Girl”. But what many may not know is that she was also the first person to offer a movie to Shah Rukh Khan. Their story is full of charm, nervous auditions and an unforgettable moment when combing her hair.
When Shah Rukh Khan remembered how Hema Malini first approached him
When he looked back at his early struggles, SRK once shared Aap Ki Adalat how Hema Malini had called him work. She said to him, “You would have to make up and everything.” But SRK, who was new to the industry, admitted that he was not very sure of such things. He replied, “I’m a Delhi boy and doesn’t have that much idea of makeup.”That was when something unusual happened. As Shah Rukh recalled, “Then Hema Ji came to me and combed my hair, it was the day when I decided that I would stay here and will never leave Mumbai.” For him, the simple gesture meant acceptance, a sign that he belonged here.
How Hema Malini gave him his first movie offer
After that meeting, Hema Malini reportedly signed Shah Rukh for her board project “Dil Aashna Hai”. However, this was not an easy decision. She had first rejected his audition for the role, just to change the idea after giving him another chance.Shortly after sacking her film, Shah Rukh signed three more films. One of them, ‘Deewana’, ended up being his debut emission in 1992, even before Hema’s film hit the screens.
Why Hema Malini was not happy with the first audition
In her biography Hema Malini: Beyond The Dream Girl, it is mentioned that Hema was not happy with Shah Rukh’s first audition for ‘Dil Aashna Hai’. He seemed too nervous and uncertain about himself. But Hema decided to try him.As quoted by India today, it reveals, “Hema remembers how nervous Shah Rukh had been during the first meeting. Apparently, every question suggested about her hair with a breathless, incoherent answer! The first audition left her dissatisfied. Hema suggested that they try again – this time with his hair. Dharmen Over to come and meet the young actor. Dharam, it is believed, liked the young man directly. “
Shah Rukh Khan later worked with Hema Malini again
What makes this story even more special is how their band grew over time. Years later Shah Rukh shared screen space with Hema Malini in Kamal Haasan2000 movie ‘Hey Ram’. Their roads crossed again in ‘Veer Zaara’, where Hema played an important role with Shah Rukh and Preity Zinta.
