Last Updated:August 24, 2025, 07:52 IST

In 1981, Dharmendra’s first wife Prakash Kaur gave a rare interview on his marriage with Hema Malini, defending him as a father while questioning her choices.

Prakash Kaur once broke her silence on Dharmendra’s marriage with Hema Malini, calling him the “best father”.

Hema Malini and Dharmendra’s marriage was the talk of the town back in the day, and not without reason — it had all the makings of a Bollywood blockbuster. Hema, the reigning ‘Dream Girl’ of Bollywood, and Dharmendra, the ultimate He-man, falling head over heels on the sets of Tum Haseen Main Jawan. But there was one big twist — Dharmendra was already married to Prakash Kaur.

Married to him since 1954, Prakash had built a family with him long before his rise as a superstar. By the time he made his film debut in 1960, they were already parents, and over the years they welcomed four children together. With gossip and criticism mounting, Prakash Kaur finally chose to speak in 1981.

Any man would have preferred Hema Malini over me: Dharmendra’s first wife

In her rare interview with Stardust, Prakash did not shy away from the truth. “Why only my husband? Any man would have preferred Hema over me,” she admitted, while defending him against the label of a womaniser. “How dare anyone call my husband a womaniser when half the industry is doing the same thing?” she said. “All heroes are having affairs and getting married a second time.”

While candid about her pain, she also described Dharmendra as a devoted parent. “He may not be the best husband, though he is very good to me, but he is certainly the best father. His children love him a lot. He never neglects them.”

Prakash Kaur’s views on Hema Malini

Prakash also spoke openly about Hema. “I can understand what Hema is going through. Even she has to face the world, her relatives and her friends. But 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.”

Despite everything, Prakash said Dharmendra would always remain the only man in her life. She believed what happened was destiny, adding that he was always present when she needed him.

Dharmendra married his first wife, Prakash Kaur, in 1954 at the age of 19. They have four children: sons Sunny and Bobby Deol, both actors, and daughters Vijeta and Ajieta. With Hema Malini, he has two daughters – Esha and Ahana Deol.

Shreyanka Mazumdar

Shreyanka Mazumdar is Chief Sub Editor of the entertainment team at News18. With an unbridled passion for all things Bollywood, she loves deep-diving into the glitz and glamour of the entertainment world, bring…Read More

Shreyanka Mazumdar is Chief Sub Editor of the entertainment team at News18. With an unbridled passion for all things Bollywood, she loves deep-diving into the glitz and glamour of the entertainment world, bring… Read More