Bollywood’s ‘Dream Girl’, Hema Malini she made her Hindi film debut opposite Raj Kapoor in ‘Sapno Ka Saudagar’ in 1968. Over the next six decades, she delivered memorable performances in classics like ‘Seeta Aur Geeta’, ‘Sholay’, ‘Dream Girl’ and many more.Veteran singer and mime artiste Sudesh Bhosale took a nostalgic trip down memory lane during the celebrations marking Hema Malini’s extraordinary 60 years in Indian cinema. While participating in the special event, he opened up about a chapter of his childhood that connected him with the legendary actress long before she entered the entertainment industry.Speaking to the media at the event, Bhosale revealed that his association with Hema Malini began in an unexpected way. Years before he became a playback singer and stage performer, he used to help his father create hand-painted movie posters and giant cinema banners in Mumbai.Recalling those formative years, Sudesh Bhosale revealed that he worked alongside his father for several years painting promotional material for films. He told the media, “People may not know that before I started acting on stage, I used to paint movie posters with my father between 1974 and 1982.” According to Sudesh Bhosale, his father was involved in preparing posters for many films with Hema Malini. Working on those banners gave him the opportunity to learn the trade at a very young age while developing a deep admiration for the actress. He described the experience as an important step in his artistic life, long before music became his profession.
Painting posters for Hema Malini’s films
The singer also recalled the first major banner he painted as a teenager. Looking back, he recalled the thrill of contributing to the publicity of a film starring one of Bollywood’s biggest stars. He shared, “My first poster was in 1974 when I was just 14 years old. It was for ‘Prem Nagar’. I personally painted all these banners.” He further recalled that several Hema Malini films like ‘Lal Patthar’, ‘Sharafat’ and ‘Bhai Ho To Aisa’ were among the projects for which his father created promotional artwork. Those early experiences shaped his creative instincts.
A full circle moment
Sudesh Bhosale said life came full circle when he finally met Hema Malini and even got a chance to act alongside her. Looking back on one particularly memorable occasion, he said: “It is a coincidence that my first overseas tour, to the Fiji Islands in 1984, was with Hemaji.” The singer described the experience as a special milestone. What started with the painting of his posters ended up becoming sharing the stage with the actress in front of audiences abroad. He said the trip remains one of the most meaningful experiences of his life and career.
Celebrating six decades of Hema Malini’s legacy
Sudesh Bhosale also expressed his happiness to be a part of the event which celebrates Hema Malini’s extraordinary contribution to Indian cinema. Sharing the stage with senior artistes while paying homage to the actress made the occasion even more memorable for him.