2025 ended on a deeply emotional note for Hema Malini. Her husband, legendary actor Dharmendra passed away on November 24, leaving behind a void that is difficult to fill. As 2026 begins, the actress is slowly returning to work and trying to find her footing again. In an exclusive conversation with us, Hema Malini opens up about the pain of losing a lifelong companion, the distress caused by media speculation during his illness, the much-talked-about separate prayer meetings, and plans surrounding his cherished Lonavala farmhouse.

“It was a companionship that stood the test of time,” says Hema Malini, reflecting on her relationship with Dharmendra. Speaking about how she dealt with the shock of losing him, she shares, "It was an inconsolable shock. It has been terrible because for a month we were struggling when he was not well. We were constantly trying to cope with whatever was happening in the hospital. We were all there—I, Esha, Ahana, Sunny, Bobby—all together. In the past, there had been instances when he went to the hospital and came back home fine. We thought iss baar bhi aa jayenge. He was talking to us nicely. On my birthday (October 16), he even wished me. His birthday was coming up on December 8, when he was turning 90, and we were thinking of celebrating it nicely. The preparations were on, and then suddenly, he was not there. To personally see him sink was very difficult. Nobody should have to go through this kind of situation."

Addressing the misinformation circulating online, Hema Malini urges people not to believe everything they see.

She says, “There is so much content that I am seeing where there are videos of me crying, and my eyes look sore and red. I request people not to fall for all this. After seeing such things, my fans and friends are sending me sympathetic messages, asking me to be strong. But I am a very strong person. I keep my emotions to myself. When my mother passed away 20 years ago, I wondered whether I would be able to live without her, but I did. This is what life teaches us. Time doesn’t wait for anybody. I keep telling my daughters the same thing every time they cry or get upset. We miss Dharam ji every minute. Aaj subah thepla banaya tha, which he loved having with chutney. He liked having idli sambar, and coffee in our house. So, whenever these things are made at home, we miss him deeply. It is important for us to keep him alive in our hearts and memories. We have so many videos together, woh dekhke toh rona aa jata hai.”

The actress admits that the constant media spotlight during the actor’s illness was distressing for the family. “Sunny was getting upset and angry. We all were going through an emotional time and the media was running behind our cars... harassment bahut hua,” she says.

Hema Malini fondly recalls the quiet moments she shared with Dharmendra, especially at his beloved farmhouse in Lonavala. She says, “His farm in Lonavala is extremely beautiful; it feels like a mini Punjab. He has cows there, and we get ghee from the farm. Just two months back, he brought three bottles of ghee for us, saying, ‘Yeh Esha ke liye hai, yeh Ahana ke liye hai, aur yeh tumhare liye.’ He was a loving and wonderful human being. Whenever I was not around, he would spend time in Lonavala. When I went to Mathura or Delhi for work, we used to adjust our schedules, and whenever I returned, he would come back and spend time with me at my house in Mumbai. That is how we have been happily living, along with our grandchildren. Sometimes, he would stay at Ahana’s house as well. Together, we have shared so many beautiful moments. He has been a part of our existence, and suddenly, for the past month, he is no longer there. It is very difficult to come to terms with this. Whenever I had to make a decision, I would ask him.”

As the new year unfolds, Hema says she is ready to return to her responsibilities and creative pursuits. “I am resuming my work now. I am heading to Mathura. I will be starting my performances, shows, aur jo jo kaam hai I will continue doing that because that is what would make Dharam ji happy,” she says.

There was a lot of speculation around the separate prayer meetings in memory of Dharmendra. Reports online speculated on why Hema Malini and her daughters were not present at the prayer meet organized by Sunny, Bobby and their family.

Addressing the issue directly, Hema clarifies, “Yeh humare ghar ka personal mamla hai. We talked to each other. I kept one prayer meet at my home because my group of people are different. Then, I kept one in Delhi because I am in politics, and it was important for me to keep a prayer meeting there for my friends from that field. Mathura is my constituency, and the people there are mad about him. So, I kept a prayer meeting there as well. I am happy with what I did.”

When asked whether Dharmendra’s much-loved Lonavala farmhouse could be turned into a museum for his fans, Hema Malini shares, “I think Sunny is planning to do something on those lines. He will definitely do it. Everything is happening in a nice way. So there’s no need to worry ki yeh do alag families hai, pata nahi kya hoga. Kisiko itni fikr karne ki zaroorat nahi hai. Hum log ekdum achche hai.”

The first time Hema Malini saw Dharmendra wasn’t on a set lit for romance but during the interval of a K A Abbas film premiere. She was still the new, luminous face everyone was talking about. He was already the kind of man who made other men glance twice in the mirror before entering a room. Broad shoulders, movie-star jawline, and the kind of old-school manners that could make you forget what you were about to say. When he laid eyes on her, she overheard him tell Shashi Kapoor in Punjabi, “Kudi badi changi hai” (The girl is quite pretty).

Their first meeting on set came soon after. In 1970, when they were cast together in Tum Haseen Main Jawan, Dharmendra’s interest became impossible to miss. By her own admission, she turned him down more times than she could count and each time he came back, a little more charming, a little more insistent. The pursuit was relentless. Dharmendra had a reputation.

Before Hema entered the frame, Dharmendra’s name had already floated through the gossip columns, mostly with Meena Kumari. In the early phase of his career, he was rumoured to share more than just screen chemistry with the legendary actress. Their closeness became a talking point during a difficult period in Meena Kumari’s personal life.

Dharmendra, however, always downplayed it: “I was not in love with Meena Kumari. She was a huge star and I was her fan. If you call the relationship between a fan and a star as love, then consider it as love.” Their first film Phool Aur Patthar turned him into a star.

But this was different. This was the Dream Girl. Through the ’70s, they became an unbeatable on-screen pair. Seeta Aur Geeta, Jugnu, Raja Rani, Sholay, Azad… each film added to the idea of Dharam and Hema. The more the rumours of an off-screen romance swirled, the more their on-screen draw seemed to grow and more the gossip pages feasted on it.

For Hema, it wasn’t an easy love story to step into. Her mother, Jaya Chakravarthy, kept a close watch on her — from film sets to public appearances — and Hema never questioned it. Until Dharmendra came along. The otherwise compliant Hema was suddenly ready to fight the world for a man who, in her words, made her happy “I just knew that he made me happy. And all I wanted was happiness,” she said in the biography, Hema Malini: Beyond The Dream Girl.

In May 1980, the curtain lifted. The two were married away from the flashbulbs without the press getting wind. But it wasn’t the beginning of a fairy-tale domestic life. Dharmendra was already married to Prakash Kaur, with four children Sunny, Bobby, Vijeeta, and Ajeeta. Divorce was not on the cards. But all sides remained tightlipped on how the arrangement was arrived at.

What followed was one of Hindi cinema’s most unconventional marriages. Hema moved into her own home, while Dharmendra stayed with his first family and even now, she lives in the house across the road from him in Juhu. Through it all, she was labelled the “other woman”, yet she stood her ground, faced the scrutiny, and refused to be defined by it.

As she put it in an old Lehren interview: “Nobody desires to live apart from their spouse, but sometimes circumstances force such situations, and one has to accept them. I am happy with myself. I have my two children, and I have brought them up very well. Of course, he (Dharmendra) was always there, always. Everywhere.”

With Hema, he would have two more daughters — Esha in 1981 and Ahana in 1985 — and remain deeply involved in their lives. Despite the complexity, it was a blended family that baffled outsiders but somehow found its own balance.

Though they were paired romantically in 28 films, the Dharam-Hema post-wedding screen story never took off. Razia Sultan (1983), their first release after marriage, underperformed. Scripts for the pair dried up. Individually, they kept working but Bollywood had moved on, pairing these reigning stars with newer faces. The last time they’d been on screen together was that same year.

For Dharam and Hema, the hyphen between their names now belonged more to life than to cinema. Yet the partnership endured. Despite the early drama — from parental disapproval to headlines picking apart their relationship — they stayed together.

In a conversation with us, Esha Deol talks about the work that she enjoys doing, star kids getting trolled and reveals that she is single and believes in love. Excerpts:

The actress, who made her Bollywood debut with Koi Mere Dil Se Poochhe (2002) and has been a part of films like Dhoom, Yuva and Kaal, isn’t fond of the term ‘comeback’, and is quick to say, “Who’s trying to make a comeback? I have been an artiste who’s been working in this industry. I just tiptoe in whenever I feel like the time is right. I enjoy my work. I am glad that this year I did a film (Tumko Meri Kasam), which was a big-screen release, too. I choose to do things that keep me in a happy space,” she says.

Reflecting on the industry today, Esha believes her debut era was far kinder compared to what star kids face now, especially with the rise of online trolling. “That was a much better time. Trolling is not right; you can’t do that to every kid born to an actor who’s making their debut. This is nonsense. They need to stop. People should give star kids a chance,” she says.

When it comes to her own children, Esha says her daughters — Radhya (8) and Miraya (6) — are far too young to consider joining Bollywood, though they’re already showing signs of being little movie buffs.

“Right now, the focus is on education. Otherwise, they enjoy watching everything. They are very filmi girls. They love doing make-up and dancing to all our songs. They enjoy dancing to my songs Dhoom Machale and Dilbara. My elder daughter likes my mom’s song Bhoot Raja Bahar Aaja. I think my mom introduced them to that song... I don’t know where they saw it (laughs).”

On the personal front, Esha and Bharat Takhtani divorced after 11 years of marriage. She shares, “I am single and not seeing anyone right now. Bharat and I are co-parenting our daughters. That’s something you chose to do because you love your kids so much.”

Ask her if she still believes in love, and she says, “I will always believe in falling in love. I think it is the most beautiful feeling and phase in a person’s life, and you should keep falling in love. Having love and companionship in life is wonderful. However, it is not your be-all and end-all.”

It breaks my heart to know Manoj ji is no longer with us. He was a fine person, and a true artiste. Unlike filmmakers today who make movies with other motives, he cared for the story of his films. Deshbhakti wasn’t just a trope for him. Many filmmakers make patriotic films because they want a Rajya Sabha ticket, not him. Nation-building was always his foremost agenda.

There was a time when distributors would line up for his movies. That was the power of his films. Manoj ji knew how to make his movies wholesome—there would be great songs, some romance, and sab elements mila ke achchhi film banate thhe.

I did many films with him [Sanyasi, Dus Numbri, Kranti, Santosh and Deshwasi]. Dus Numbri, in which I played a Goan woman, was a fun experience. The characters he wrote had quirks and humour but they never crossed the line. He was very respectful to women. 

The one thing I remember about him as a director is that he would take long shots. We’d all be scared thinking, Manoj ji ke saath kaam karna matlab woh lambe shots lenge. If a scene is 10-minute long, he would capture it in one take. He believed that [would bring out] the raw performance. If there were 10 actors in a scene, the camera would go to each actor. Since it was an elaborate shot, I had to cry on cue when the camera came to me. 

It’s a painstaking way to shoot, but that’s how passionate he was. Acting is not an easy job, but working with him made me realize how fulfilling it can be. The takeaway for filmmakers, who revisit his work today, [should be] that passion supersedes everything when making a movie.

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Two generations of women, actor, dancer and politician Hema Malini and her daughter, actor Esha Deol, at the 10th International Women’s Conference, held over three days in Bengaluru, at a session namely ‘Circle of Wisdom’, shared their insights on the evolving roles of women, motherhood, and adapting to changing times. Key takeaways from the interaction

It was my dream to have a child. I was so excited when Esha was born, yet I continued my career as a dancer and actress. An actress's career has limitations, but a dancer's doesn't. I remember shooting even while pregnant with her. I was working on Razia Sultan — I think I was five or six months pregnant. If you're strong and determined, you can achieve anything. This was, of course, thanks to my family's support, my mother, my aunt, everyone. They took care of the children, allowing me to continue my dance and film careers. I was very particular, though. To avoid them missing school, I'd take them and drop them off myself. Then I'd go to shoots and come back early. I told producers I wouldn't do late shoots; they had to finish my work by 6 pm. I planned my life carefully to manage everything. Today, I see the same thing happening with my daughters and their children.

I was born into a very traditional Hyderabad family. My mother was a strong personality. She decided I would learn Bharatanatyam. My transition as a dancer was beautiful, though strict. I faced hardship; I wasn't allowed to play like other girls. But because of my own experience with my mother, I didn't want to impose the same on my girls. For a long time, I didn't insist they learn what I had. They happily went to school, jumped around, and played with friends. Eventually, I suggested Esha learn to dance. At first, she refused. Then I put her in Bharatanatyam. She found it difficult, but she was eager to learn. That's how she came into films. I was scared she wouldn't act properly. But she did.

I'm a grandmother, but I learn much from my daughters. They have so much experience. My other daughter, Ahana is also a beautiful dancer. Today, she's a mother of three, including twins. I can't believe how she takes care of them. She never wanting to be influenced. Both are wonderful; I'm blessed.

Growing up, I realized I was the daughter of the 'dream girl,' of Sita, Urbita, and so many other film characters. I grew up in a South Indian, almost all-women household — my grandmom, granddads, cousins — most of us were women, but strong-headed, strong personalities. I saw so many variations of what women could be within one household.

Being a millennial, our generation witnessed maximum transition. Technically and emotionally, our generation went through much. We had freedom growing up. We strayed, but a strong foundation brought us back. Dance and films were inescapable. My mother’s makeup room was right in front of my bedroom. Every day, I saw her getting ready, looking all pretty, and going to work. It fascinated me. Dance ballets were choreographed in our house; we had a dance hall, and Gurus came. There was no escaping dance and culture. I see the same with my daughters, Radhya and Viraya. Dance has passed down through generations.

At 18, I got into films. Like my mom said, I was very bindaas, carefree; I played football. When my first film released, I was a teen and had baby fat. After the movie’s release, I read the review. And in that, they wrote, ‘she’s chubby, she has baby fat’. And they started comparing me to my mom, which I was not prepared for. I thought, ‘okay, I've started acting, I'll act’. But it was not easy. And that was where I realized how to be focused on the goal without letting these affect me. I realized that people are going to keep comparing me to my mom, who's already a legend. So if you're going to let that affect you, you're not in the right profession.

My children are still young, and not yet on social media. When they get there, I'll see how I navigate that. I'm still getting used to it myself — like many from my generation. When we started in the public eye, working and being acknowledged through films or dance, there was no social media. We were used to that authentic, real connection through cinema halls or stage performances. People liked, admired, or disliked us from a distance. Our focus was purely on the performance and coming home. There were no paps, no calling them to the airport. It's how everyone functions today. I'm not complaining. But we didn't have that. Now, after my babies, it's a new space. We need a PR agency, we need to announce our whereabouts (unless it's work-related), social media, followers, likes, and comments — it's a lot. Many of my friends are mommy bloggers and social media influencers.

Inputs by Mehwash Hussain

Esha Deol has been working actively in the recent years and was seen in the National Film Award-winning short film Ek Duaa (2021), and the web shows Rudra: The Edge Of Darkness (2022) and Hunter Tootega Nahi Todega (2023). Having spent over two decades in the industry, the actor is set to debut in Telugu cinema with Hero Heeroine.

“I have always had a soft spot for the South. From my heart, I am a big Southie,” says Deol, adding, “It’s a vivacious and fresh love story. The Telugu cinema is booming right now and it’s the right time to capitalise on it. Acting is my passion. What I was doing before were candyfloss kind of roles. But now, the kind of content being made has changed. So, it’s a great time to explore.”

The 42-year-old goes on to share her two cents on the ongoing celebrity entourage debate: “We debuted at a simple time, where the focus was more on working on the films and our roles. Today, there are so many heads involved in every project. We functioned with just four people — a manager, hair stylist, makeup person and a spotboy. We were happy with that. But it’s a different way of working today and I am a part of it. I don’t have a choice but to merge with it.”

Earlier this year, she came into the limelight as it was speculated that she’d undergone lip surgery. She says, “This much scrutiny was never there (when I started out). So much social media and intrusion wasn’t there. Now, you must learn to deal with it without taking it too seriously.”

Baghban, a poignant narrative portraying the abandonment of ageing parents by their children, resonated deeply with moviegoers back in 2003 and continues to leave a lasting impact.

In this cinematic gem, which turns 20 today, actor Hema Malini played the leading role opposite actor Amitabh Bachchan.

She tells us that she was initially unsure about accepting the role: “I was not doing anything. That’s when Ravi Chopra, the director, came to me and narrated this subject. I was not convinced because I had to portray a mum to four elderly boys. Then my mother said, ‘If Amitabh Bachchan is doing it, then you can also do it’.” 

Malini, 74, says she was reassured that she wouldn’t be made to appear as “an old woman with white hair” and would be presented in a way that reflected her real-life persona. 

About her co-star Bachchan, with whom she had worked in several films, including Sholay (1975) and Satte Pe Satta (1982), she says, “When Amit ji used to enter the set, he would bring so much life; all the workers used to say, ‘Arre Amit ji aa gaye’.”

Recalling the romantic scenes she shot with him, especially the song Main Yahan Tu Wahan, Malini says, “It was B R Chopra sahab’s (producer) dream to make this film. He was watching all the scenes from day one. He gave me a narration before the shoot started.”

The actor shares that she learned of the film’s success when her daughter, actor Esha Deol Takhtani, was working alongside Bachchan’s son, Abhishek, in Dus. “They would keep telling me picture hit ho gayi hai. Mujhe lagta tha mazaak kar rahe hain, but it turned out to be a fact,” she smiles.

Divya Dutta, who played Reena Malhotra, one of the daughters-in-law, who was part of the plan to split the elderly couple, says, “It was my first film with Mr Bachchan, who is the reason why I got into films. I used to say a very bright ‘good morning’ to him every day. Those gradually became less bright. Saying those nasty lines to someone I adored was not going down well with me. One day, he said, ‘You know you are not being nice to me; my fans won’t like it’; I said, ‘Sir, yeh ek role hi toh hai’. And without saying anything further, he taught me a lesson that I need to dissociate myself from my character.”

Esha Deol often shares sweet throwback pictures with her dad Dharmendra on social media. The actress, who recently returned to acting with two web series – Rudra and Hunter: Tootega Nahin Todega – has often said that she and her father are alike in temperament.

“We are quite attached and share almost everything. Our choices are quite similar. He understands me without me saying much. I get very emotional when it comes to him and am extremely possessive of him,” she shared in a recent interview with BT, adding, “On a lighter note, I am his professional online shopper. He loves online shopping, and I do that for him.”

Interestingly, if Esha faced resistance to her decision to join Bollywood, it was from her father. She reasoned, “It comes from him being an orthodox Punjabi male; they are known to be very protective of the women in their families. This is sort of a way of showing how protective he is and nothing else. Time takes its own course, and everything falls into place eventually.”

I just follow my kids’ schedule. I sleep when they sleep. We wake up early and eat together. Of course, when I’m shooting it’s a little difficult to match their sleeping and eating timing but when I am home, I follow their routine.

Tantrums are a part of growing up. You throw tantrums and you learn why you should not. When my kids throw a tantrum, I allow them to do so. Once they are done, I take over and explain why it’s wrong or not good for them and I tackle the reason for the tantrum. Some tantrums are cute though. Sometimes both of them want me to carry them at the same time or they both want to sit on my lap at the same time. That’s kind of funny.

I am definitely a panda parent. I think giving your child space and allowing them to learn and make choices from a very young age is important in shaping them into who they are going to become. When they grow up, they should be confident and make their own choices and pursue their dream careers. I am there to support them. I also think it’s important to be a little strict when required so they learn to be disciplined and have respect for other human beings. But overall, I am very easy with them. I am all for a rooted, simple upbringing.

My parenting is quite different from my mum’s. I think I am more like my (maternal) grandmum. My mum’s style is more chill. My grandmother was a hands-on sort of parent, watching over my mum most of the time. She was definitely a little stricter than my mother. I am a bit more possessive too.

I don’t believe in depriving my kids as I don’t want them to be alien to anything. Usually they have ghar ka khana only. But when we are out for a birthday party or when we are on a holiday, I love to let them experiment. Besides, what is childhood without chocolate (laughs). That’s part of growing up. I grew up eating chocolates. Of course, everything has to be eaten in moderation and under supervision. Similarly, watching a bit of television is fine. My girls enjoy watching cartoons. They have a set screen time.

A working mom can’t answer this question because she is a mother and she has chosen to work as well. I would not want to choose between these two. I love my kids. They are my life and that’s my personal world. I am equally passionate about my work. My profession keeps me out there. It is my drive. Both are very important parts of me, my personality and who I am today — a mother and an actor — so they go hand-in-hand. It is all about the art of balancing.

Juggling work and kids is never easy. It is important to have a proper routine with your kids and for your kids and at the same time schedule your work accordingly. Of course, family support is also very important.

Esha Deol Takhtani started her journey in Bollywood 20 years ago, and did a variety of movies – from romantic and comedy to action (she was one of Dhoom gals in the first of the series), but then, when she thought it was the right time, she took a pause. Stepping back from the limelight, she tied the knot and had two lovely babies. Now, she is back, featuring in interesting parts in web shows. She shares with us what has been the most adventurous phase in her life and what lies ahead.

While some are averse to terms like comeback and sabbatical, Esha has no qualms about them. She shares, “This is my second innings and I don’t have a problem saying so. It’s just a term and I don’t take it too seriously. These are minor things for me to spend too much time contemplating. I am here to work yaar. For me, it was very important to have babies at the right time. If you constantly worry and doubt your decisions, you won’t enjoy what you are doing. It’s equally important to maintain yourself, look good and stay disciplined.”

The actress who was recently appreciated for her roles in shows like Rudra - The Edge Of Darkness and Hunter Tootega Nahi Todega says, “I am glad to be a part of the industry during this time. The new-age content being made today has eliminated the element of insecurity amongst female artistes in my age group. There is good work for everyone. We are doing it better because we are wiser now. When a woman settles down and becomes a mother toh ek thehraav aa jaata hai hai”

In my 20s, I was restless and reckless. Today, I am grounded and lead an anchored life. I did pretty much everything that a 20-year-old girl would do. That was one of the most adventurous and fun phases of my life.

Esha says that now she wants to move on from the kind of roles that she played at the beginning of her career. “I can’t take up roles that do not align with my mindset and personality. I have played my fair share of teeny-bopper roles. Some girls are still doing those roles because it suits them and they enjoy doing it. However, I can’t do that now. I have evolved in terms of my sensibilities. So, I prefer taking up roles that resonate with me today and impart a strong message. As a strong woman, I gravitate towards characters that reflect my personality,” she explains.

From the start of her career, Esha has faced comparisons with her mom, the OG Dream Girl, Hema Malini, but that didn’t deter her from her goals. “Soon after the release of my debut film, Koi Mere Dil Se Poochhe (2002), I was compared to my mother, who has done more than 200 films. At that time, the discussion around nepotism was not as prevalent. Eventually, I realized that if I allowed these comparisons to affect me, it would be better not to be in this profession. It took me a while to come to terms with it and accept that there was no escaping it. Acting is a profession that really toughens you up. Most of us have become tough nuts, and you won’t be able to crack us (laughs!).”

Sometimes, one’s second innings can be more stimulating than the first. While it’s too early to gauge Esha Deol’s second shot at acting, as she returned to the screens with Rudra: The Edge of Darkness last year, the actor is thoroughly enjoying this phase, picking projects that interest her. Her latest release is Hunter Tootega Nahi, Todega, which sees her playing an investigative journalist.

“It’s a layered character. She comes from a small town, is gutsy, and when the need arises, she can deliver kicks and punches as easily as she can pull a trigger,” says Deol. Yesterday, the series dropped on Amazon Mini, which is a free video-streaming service within the shopping app, and comprises short films and shows designed for the masses.

Saying yes to the Suniel Shetty-led show came easy to Deol. Reason? Far from her earlier offerings that had her playing the glam doll while her leading men beat the baddies to pulp, this series has her trying her hand at action.

“I always wanted to do action. This series gave me the opportunity. At the end of the day’s shoot, it gave me a different kind of satisfaction to have done [stunts]. I’m on the hunt for a full-fledged action project.”

Finding her groove in the action genre seems almost inevitable for Deol. Her actor-father Dharmendra, after all, is Hindi cinema’s original He-Man. She agrees, stating, “Like dance comes naturally to me thanks to my mother [Hema Malini], so does action. If you see my frame, I have taken after my dad. Action and dance are in my DNA.”

Last year marked two decades since she began her journey as an actor with Koi Mere Dil Se Poochhe (2002). While she is satisfied with the way her past stint shaped up, it is her new innings that has Deol upbeat. “I’m choosing subjects that align with my mentality, and [enhance] the way I want to be seen as an actor. An intense character with the scope to do action is what satisfies me today.”

It has been an enduring romance with acting. Even as she went missing from Hindi cinema after Tell Me O Kkhuda (2011), Esha Deol Takhtani was seen in short films like Cakewalk (2019) and Ek Duaa (2021), following them up with her maiden web series Rudra: The Edge of Darkness (2022). Now, the actor is returning to feature films with director Sachin Saraf’s Main. The drama, also starring Amit Sadh, sees Deol as an encounter specialist’s spouse who transforms from a home-maker to an independent woman taking charge of her life.

What attracted Deol to the project was that it studied the emotional toll that an encounter specialist’s job takes on his family. “The film conveys a strong yet simple message that a woman can achieve the unimaginable, and depicts how she discovers her potential and excels in life. Due to certain circumstances arising in her life, my character gets an opportunity to know herself better and becomes more self-aware,” she says.

The unit wrapped up the first schedule in Bhopal last week. Sharing screen space with Sadh has been a joy for the actor, who is all praise for him. “Amit is a fantastic actor. I have seen many of his works, including the Breathe series.” 

Even though Main is centred on the female protagonist, it was an easy yes for Sadh. That the movie examined the criminal justice system through a new lens piqued his interest. “It’s intriguing when a script explores how the criminal justice administration works. Main is a cop drama [that offers] a look into the psyche of encounter experts. Human psychology is an interesting theme for me.”

The next schedule of the drama, which also stars Tigmanshu Dhulia and Seema Biswas, will be shot in Mumbai and Bhopal.

He [Dharmendra] motivates not only me but also our entire nation. He is the first He-Man of our industry, and all his roles were rooted in athleticism. I am blessed with an athletic physique, and have certain cuts that women rarely do, due to him. In fact, my physique is exactly like his. When I’d play football on the field, my coaches would address me by my father’s name. I’ve been into fitness from a young age because I was influenced by him and my mom.

He has always been proud of me for participating in sports. When I was young, I would wake up at 5 am and train on the beach in football or handball. I would take his advice on exercising, and on correct eating habits. Watching him play badminton as he did also played a role in influencing me. Fitness forms a part of our discussion, even today.

My dad is so inspiring! Even today, he wakes up at 5 am to practise breathing exercises, yoga, and meditation. He enjoys cycling and walks often. He does a lot to stay mentally, emotionally and physically fit, and always reiterates that all the three factors [are important]. I agree with that, and hence also practise activities like martial arts, kick-boxing, and dance, which [cater to] all the three aspects. 

He is the biggest, and best example we are living with. He influences our entire family to not only look, but also feel fit. In fact, I’m out of India with my daughter right now, and I see her shop for exercise gear. At such a young age, she says she wants to be in the gym and exercise. Radhya loves action films like The Karate Kid and Wonder Woman. Both my girls enjoy extracurricular physical activities. They are tough girls who enjoy boot-camps, and swimming sessions. The tradition continues in our family.

My dad [Shekhar Suman] was always fit, even before his [dramatic] physical transformation in 2009. And while I had lost weight before that, I learnt the value of consistency from him. When he lost weight, nobody expected him to do something like that, especially at that age. People thought he had taken steroids, or gone under the knife. But he hadn’t. That he never gave up on his journey is amazing. I feel proud to be the son of someone who is fit and concerned about his health.

He taught me that consistency is key. No matter how busy he was, he would be found in the gym, when it was time, even if he wasn’t feeling up to it. His focus would never waver, and that’s something I learnt from him.

I admit that I did resort to consuming steroids for a film in 2013. There were pressures from the industry, and my trainers, so I took them. It harmed me, and I said I’d never take the easy way to build my body again. That’s something I discuss with him. My dad feels I exert myself way too much. There would be days when I would wake up and practice spinning for 40 minutes, then lift weights, play tennis, swim and do martial arts. He’d warn me stating that my body would stop responding if I didn’t [revisit] my routine.

My dad’s [Sunny Deol] training regimen was always very intense. He would wake up at 5.30 am and exercise. Often, he would try to wake me up to accompany him. If he had a long day of shooting, he’d come home and train before hitting the bed. He had a real love for sports and would play badminton. From an early age, I was inspired by him, because he did activities that made him feel good, not just look good. He did it because it helped the body stay active, and the mind, sharp. For a bit, I tried to [wake up] and learn karate, but the process would leave me exhausted in school, so I could only sustain it for a while. However, I took to sports in school.

When I was younger, I would tell him that I wanted to lift weights which were as heavy as he did. I wanted arms as big as his. I’d look at his physique and be motivated. I would arm wrestle with him, and while of course I didn’t stand a chance to win, he’d let me win anyway.

When I turned 18, I wanted to hit the gym, and took to CrossFit. I trained with him for a while before appointing a trainer. Today, if I don’t wake up in the morning and exercise for three hours, I feel like my day won’t be good. I do one hour of cardio on the cross-trainer, and skip. I follow it up with one hour of weight-training, and finally boxing. I’m learning boxing for Apne 2 because my character is a boxer. In the process, I started to enjoy boxing and find the drills exciting.

I’ve not been seen [in this physique], so this film will showcase my physical and mental transformation to look like a heavy-weight boxer. The one thing that I’ve learnt is that you can’t wake up saying you’re feeling tired. Your mind will try to persuade you to take a break, but each day that you don’t listen to it and head for the training is a day of growth.

Ever since her acting debut with Koi Mere Dil Se Poochhe in 2002, Esha Deol had been very active in the 2000s. Every subsequent year saw multiple releases with her, but since 2011, the actor cut down on the number of projects she took up. Ask her why, and she admits it was to focus on her personal life.

“It was conscious on my part. I sort of wanted to settle down with Bharat (Takhtani, husband) and start a family. I fell in love and was enjoying that so much. Then I went the family way, and when your babies are young, everything requires your attention. You have to do the right things at the right time,” Deol shares.

That said, the 39-year-old also believes in the sentiment of “once an actor, always an actor”. She is all set to make her comeback with Ajay Devgn in his web debut, Rudra - The Edge Of Darkness. “Working again with Ajay is something I look forward to,” gushes the actor, who has shared screen space with him in movies such as Kaal (2005), Yuva (2004) and Main Aisa Hi Hoon (2005). “Ajay was very happy when he got to know about me coming on board, and told me he’s really glad I am back to work,” adds Deol.

She has also ventured into production with Ek Duaa, which was released directly on an OTT platform recently. She says the step towards turning a producer occurred naturally. “I was offered the script to act, but I was really moved by the story. I felt just acting in a film like this was not going to satisfy me. I thought ‘what if I could produce it’, and that’s how it happened,” she ends.

Four years before Kareena Kapoor Khan had popularised the size zero frame in Tashan, Esha Deol had pulled off one among the most notable physical transformations, with her svelte frame in Dhoom (2004). What was rumoured to be the result of 10-hour regimented gym sessions was a far cry from the “plump” avatar she had made her Bollywood debut with, in films like Koi Mere Dil Se Pooche, and the Hrithik Roshan-starrer Naa Tum Jaano Hum. 

The actor, now Deol-Takhtani, admits that the request to gain weight for her next, Ek Duaa, was an odd one in an industry that has “always been telling me to look fit and slim”. What made this task particularly toilsome was that she had only recently shed 10 kilos of pregnancy weight, following the birth of her second child. Deol had learnt from her two pregnancies that gaining weight did not have to imply following a diet comprising unhealthy processed foods. Choosing to take to carbohydrate-loading, she kept pizzas and burgers at bay, and upped the quantity of rice and ghee in her diet. Deol also pressed pause on her cardiovascular and weight-lifting routines to ensure that her body was in a caloric surplus. “I’d merely head for walks in my compound to keep my mind calm.”

Ek Duaa is Takhtani’s home production with husband Bharat. “Director Ram Kamal Mukherjee’s film signifies a prayer from a mother’s point of view. I was moved by the script, because today, I am also a mother to two daughters,” she says, adding that she had to subsequently lose weight after the film was completed. “Gaining weight is easy, but losing it requires discipline and hard work. It took me six to eight months to achieve this look. Maintaining the weight when tasked with daily chores is a challenge too. Initially, when you need to knock them off, you have to [be disciplined] every day. Today, I exercise four to five times a week, and follow a strict diet.”

Deol, 39, admits that losing weight after the second pregnancy isn’t as simple as doing so after the first one. “The way I look today is different from the way I did after my second pregnancy. I am more toned, and fitter. Post-pregnancy, our bodies have more elasticity, which makes them malleable. We can mould it into whichever figure we desire. This is something my mother [Hema Malini] told me.”

Having spent years training her body, she no longer needs professional help to understand its requirements. “I would run on the treadmill for 45 minutes, weight-train for 30, and practice yoga. I love lifting. It helps keep muscles toned and proportionate, and makes me feel good because endorphins are released. I also love cardiovascular work because I can let my mind wander.”

The dancer attributes her malleability to the years spent in perfecting the art. “Dance is a form of training that keeps you physically and mentally fit. One has to remember the right steps, and also the appropriate techniques, and execute it on the beat. It is a body and mind workout.” 

I had bigger portions of white rice, ghee, and curd. I would have pancakes with maple syrup, and bananas on it. Aloo parathas with ghee and yoghurt [became a staple]. For lunch, I‘d have white rice with dal tadka. I also enjoyed chole-puri or pav-bhaji, all of which were homemade.

I was only able to enhance my relationship with food following marriage and motherhood. On a regular day, I have papaya and organic, gluten-free bread. I have dal with olive oil. If I am on a strict diet, dinner comprises soup, salad and quinoa cutlet.

Ever since Rudra - The Edge Of Darkness was announced in April, it has become a keenly awaited offering. After all, it not only marks Ajay Devgn’s foray into digital entertainment, but is also the official adaptation of Idris Elba’s much-loved crime drama, Luther. Now, it has come to light that Esha Deol Takhtani, who has been missing from the big screen since her 2011 offering Tell Me O Kkhuda, is set to resume her place in front of the camera with the Disney+ Hotstar series.

Her joy is palpable as she returns to her first love — acting. “I am excited to be back at work, especially alongside Ajay. We have been co-stars in numerous movies. There is a comfort level between us,” says Deol, who had teamed up with Devgn on Yuva (2004), Kaal (2005) and Cash (2007), among other films. 

She is tight-lipped about her role in the Rajesh Mapuskar-directed offering that will be shot across Mumbai, only willing to share her excitement about exploring the long-format storytelling. “I am thrilled to make my digital debut with Rudra. The script charged me up,” she adds.