Hema Malini turns 72: Rare photos of the Dream Girl

Actor Hema Malini celebrates her 72nd birthday today. She is known for her work in films like Seeta aur Geeta, Sholay, Johnny Mera Naam, Satte Pe Satta, Trishul among others. She was last seen in Ramesh Sippy's Shimla Mirchi, where she shared screen space with Rajkummar Rao and Rakul Preet Singh. (Photo: Express Archives)

A trained Bharatanatyam dancer, Hema Malini landed her first lead role in the 1986 Hindi film Sapno Ka Saudagar, where she starred alongside Raj Kapoor. (Photo: Express Archives)

In her heyday, Hema Malini was known for her angelic beauty and her stellar dance skills on screen. (Photo: Express Archives)

Hema Malini is still remembered as the Dream Girl of Indian cinema. She earned the moniker after she appeared in a film with the same title. (Photo: Express Archives)

Hema Malini was frequently seen sharing screen space with Dharmendra and Rajesh Khanna. She delivered hits like Andaz, Mehbooba, Kudrat, Pratigya among others with these actors. (Photo: Express Archives)

Hema Malini and Dharmendra married in 1980. The two are parents to Esha and Ahana Deol. (Photo: Express Archives)

Hema Malini turned towards direction with the 1992 film Dil Aashna Hai, which starred Shah Rukh Khan and Divya Bharti. The film was also produced under her production banner. (Photo: Express Archives)

In 2000, Hema Malini was honoured with the Padma Shri by the Government of India. (Photo: Express Archives)

She took a break from acting for a few years but returned to the big screen with Baghban, where she starred alongside Amitabh Bachchan. The film was a hit. (Photo: Express Archives)

Hema Malini has been a Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha, from Mathura since 2014. (Photo: Express Archives)