Veteran Bollywood actor Dharmendra recently shared a poignant chapter from his early life, recalling his very first romantic crush long before his famous marriage to Hema Malini. The legendary film star opened up about a childhood attachment to a young woman named Hamida, who lived in his hometown during his school years.
According to reports, Hamida was the daughter of one of Dharmendra's schoolteachers and was several years older than the future actor. Despite the age difference, the young Dharmendra developed a deep, innocent fondness for her. His admiration inspired him to express his feelings creatively, leading him to pen a heartfelt poem dedicated to his early crush.
However, this innocent chapter of his youth came to an abrupt and permanent halt due to the historical upheaval of the subcontinent. The Partition of 1947 forced massive population migrations across the newly drawn borders, separating the families and ending any further connection between the two.
Despite the decades that have passed and his subsequent rise to superstardom in the Indian film industry, Dharmendra has held onto the memory of those early days. The veteran actor indicated that the recollection of Hamida and that period of his childhood has remained vivid in his mind throughout his long life.
Dharmendra, born in Punjab, rose to prominence in the 1960s to become one of the most recognizable leading men in Hindi cinema, starring in numerous blockbuster films. While his later life and romance with co-star Hema Malini became a frequent subject of public fascination, this recent revelation sheds light on a much simpler, formative time before his cinematic career began.
Reporting based on coverage first published by The Times of India. Read the original report at The Times of India.
