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Hema Malini exploded on the Hindi screen on the rebound when Shridhar, a director who had signed her for a Tamil film, dropped her. She had a glorious reign in the 70s. Starting out in Sapnon Ka Saudagar, her major hits included Johnny Mera Naam, Seeta aur Geeta, and a successful series with Dharmendra--Raja Jani, Jugnu and Sholay. Although she did more meaty roles in Khushboo, Kinara and Meera, it was in her feisty roles in Seeta aur Geeta and Sholay that the audience appreciated most.

In the late 70s she concentrated on 'character' roles as in Rihaee, often with feminist undertones. Her fans weren't the only ones enamoured of her: she is said to have turned down both Sanjeev Kumar's and Jeetendra's proposals of marriage, eventually preferring to settle down as Dharmendra's second wife. In an effort to re-establish her as a classical dancer, she directed the TV series Noopur. It is a tribute to the dream girl of Indian cinema that she could ride out the storm with her head held high.