Actor Hema Malini on what life has taught her about love, relationships, and art
Nona Walia (TIMES LIFE; September 10, 2017)

What does happiness mean to you?
Happiness is state of mind. You need to see the world through your eyes. If you see it from someone else's eye, then it might not look the same. The choice is yours. You can only see the negativity and get de pressed or see the same thing and see a silver lining.

What are the dreamgirl's dreams right now?
If you see around today, you will notice that age is just a number. People assume that they will retire at 60 and die when they are 70. If you can think positive, live a healthy life, listen to your body and follow a regime, then you can live for 100 years, healthy and happy.

When you were called 'dream girl', was there immense pressure to look good?
I have never done anything consciously. I think I have aged gracefully. 'Dream girl' was suggested by B Ananthaswami, who launched me in Sapnon Ka Saudagar. Later, the media started tagging me as the 'dream girl' and it got attached to my name. There is no pressure as such. Also, if one is beautiful from within, it will naturally reflect on his/her face.

You made a bold choice when you married Dharmendra. Would you still make the same choice if you could go back in time?
I would not like to change anything. Whatever I did, it was my decision. I don't think I was bold. I fell in love with a man, and decided to live my life with him. I think it's romantic and true love.

What makes you keep innovating. Don't you want to sit back and relax?
Age has nothing to do with doing new things. If you have it in you, then you will be able to do it. It's about your will power.

What are the new things you want to learn and do?
I want to learn Sanskrit and do a bhajan album in that language.

What inspires you to live a full life?
I don't look out for opportunities. They come to me naturally and I accept them as challenges in my life. We all have energies stored, but it's human nature to think that we are not capable of multi-tasking. My gurus taught me that the best way to maintain our outer beauty is to nurture yourself from within. It's a fact that we will all age. No one can hold the process ­ but you can delay it by maintaining a restricted lifestyle. You cannot abuse your body and expect it not to change for the worse. I am either reading or meeting various people due to my political commitments. So I keep hearing their stories, which inspires me to do many things in life.

What's the secret to your good glowing skin?
That's a secret, na? (Laughs)

What do challenges signify to you?
It means there is a lot more to do in life. And that one shouldn't hang their boots too soon. Life is about walking, and letting destiny decide your retirement day. I think we all evolve with time ­ in different ways, due to our individual circumstances in life. And I find this process of human evolution - where we all learn different things - to be quite magical.

How would you define love?
Everything begins with love. Love and passion though are restricted to a certain age, after that it's understanding and compatibility. Eventually, it's respect that matters the most.

What is the secret of a happy marriage in today's world?
I think today's generation is much more understanding and has a better way of handling relationships. We always compare the younger generation with our generation, that's incorrect; their environment is different. The world is constantly evolving around us.

You keep innovating yourself...
It's about your will power. I've just done a bhajan album called Gopala Ko Samarpan. Now, I'm busy with bringing Synergy, an Indo-Georgian dance fusion group, that'll present their national ballet, Sukishvili. I was thoroughly impressed with their moves.

Is there any particular way to control the mind?
Initially, it is always the visual beauty that conquers your mind but ultimately, it's your personality and goodness that helps conquer hearts.Unless there is a decent balance, you won't be able to rule your mind.

Life lessons that are important...
Life teaches you, but in silence. Only you know what you are learning. That's the magic.