According to Hema, during her time as leading lady in the 70s, the industry underwent a drastic change as masala films were the call of the day. “I was fortunate to be a part of action films and also movies that empowered women. Films like Lal Patthar, Sita aur Geeta and Andaz helped in changing the outlook of women in society with their strong female-oriented storylines,” she pointed out.

(Also Read): Hema Malini : The Dream girl of Bollywood.

Over the years we have seen her in a number of movies and also playing multiple roles in real life. On Hema Malini's 70th birthday, here is a list of 5 movies with stellar performance of our Dream Girl.

#Sholay (1975): The motormouth tangewali who stole Veeru's heart, the role of Basanti can be called one of the finest that Hema played onscreen. Brilliant comic timing and superb dialogue delivery, Hema became Basanti. Even after decades, Hema remains etched in our minds as Basanti.

#Seeta aur Geeta (1972): Playing double role, Hema won her first Filmfare Award for this 1972 blockbuster. From street-smart Geeta to very silent Seeta, this Ramesh Sippy film helped Hema to showcase her talent. Hema became a household name after this movie.

#Dream Girl (1977): The movie that made Hema the Dream Girl of Bollywood. She looked ethereal, elegant and covered the entire canvass of acting in this film. Playing five different characters - Sapna, Padma, Champabai, Dreamgirl, and Rajkumari – Hema showed that she is not just a pretty face but can act too. India fell in love with her.

#Khushboo (1975): 1975 saw Hema playing talkative Basanti and reticent Kusum. While Sholay was a commercial success, Khushboo is still remembered as a Gulzar movie with beautiful unspoken romantic moments and lilting melodies.

#Baghban (2003): Who thought grandmom could look that pretty. Remember her beautiful yellow sari? Hema showed that she can reinvent her game and ace it too.

Hema Malini

Hema Malini : The Dream girl of Bollywood

Hema Malini defined everything that the Dream Girl tag stood for. She could dance, act, emote with equal ease. In an age when commercial film actresses rarely did anything apart from being damsels in distress and glamour dolls. She danced, climbed fans on ceilings, rode horses and even kicked bad guys.