Hema Malini, who will celebrate her birthday tomorrow, wishes to master Urdu, sing Sanskrit shlokas and play the sitar, discovers
that she has kept herself insulated from Time is a palpable truth. Perhaps, you can attribute it to Hema Malinis untiring need to reinvent and discover herself. I am never too shy to learn. Ive studied Urdu up to the eighth level. But I want to perfect it—if not as well as Dharamji (her actor husband is known for his felicity for writing Urdu poems) at least somewhere close, laughs Hema who will turn 60 tomorrow. I also want to master Sanskrit. I want to record a CD of shlokas as much as I wish to learn Rabindra sangeet and sing at least one song, adds the young at heart actor.
Interestingly, the techno-savvy Hema (enjoys computers and photography) also wishes to master the sitar. I know a bit of it. I want to be able to play it well. It can transport you to a different world, muses the actor who jests she has to juggle her time between dance shows and acting as much as supervising the cook or checking if the curtains need to be changed!
The actor is also readying to essay the role of Rajmata Vijaya Raje Scindia (the late queen of Gwalior and founder of the BJP) in Gul Bahar Singh�s film Ek Thi Rani Aisi Bhi, a biopic on the leader. The film is my tribute to her. Rajmata even went to jail for 18 months during the Emergency with Gayatri Devi. In prison she rehabilitated women prisoners,� says Hema admiringly.
The actor counts daughters Esha and Ahana Deol as her best critics. I ask my children to correct me and tell me what I am not supposed to do, says Hema who confesses becoming more frank and understanding of the others point of view through the years.
Asserting that Eshas best is yet to come, Hema has a few scripts in mind and even contemplates directing one of them. Gulzarsaab had urged me to direct Nupur (Hemas TV show). He had said, Whilst expressing feelings dont worry about the technicalities. Where emotions are concerned grammar doesnt work, she relates.
Hema describes her other daughter Ahana as difficult to understand and explains, Ahanas a good dancer, writes beautiful poems and now wants to get into designing.
Hema, who says that balance is integral to her Libran personality, credits much of her achievements to husband Dharmendra. Hes a nice human being. I loved him so I married him. Our marriage, which is very different from any other, has helped me grow. If it were a regular marriage, I wouldnt be who I am. Dharamji has never interfered in my life. I cant crib at all. I have everything.