The ‘Dream Girl’ of Bollywood, Hema Malini 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 mimicry artist Sudesh Bhosale took a nostalgic trip down memory lane during the celebrations marking Hema Malini’s remarkable 60-year journey in Indian cinema. While participating in the special event, he opened a chapter from his childhood that connected him with the legendary actress before she entered the entertainment industry.Speaking to the media at the event, Bhosale revealed that his relationship with Hema Malini started in an unexpected way. Years before becoming a playback singer and stage performer, he helped his father create hand-painted film posters and giant cinema banners in Mumbai.Recalling those formative years, Sudesh Bhosale revealed that he worked with his father for many years painting promotional material for films. He told the media, “People may not know that before I started performing on stage, I painted movie posters with my father from 1974 to 1982.” According to Sudesh Bhosale, his father was involved in preparing posters for several films featuring Hema Malini. Working on those banners gave him the opportunity to learn the craft at a very young age while developing a deep admiration for the actress. He describes the experience as an important step in his artistic life, before music became his profession.
Painting posters for Hema Malini’s films
The singer also recalled the first major flag he painted as a teenager. Looking back, he recalls 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 painted all the banners myself.” He further recalled that several Hema Malini films, including ‘Lal Patthar’, ‘Sharafat’ and ‘Bhai Ho To Aisa’, were among the projects for which his father did the promotional artwork. Those early experiences shaped his creativity.
A full circle moment
Sudesh Bhosale says life came full circle when he met Hema Malini and even got a chance to perform with her. Looking back on an unforgettable occasion, he said, “It was a coincidence that my first foreign trip, to the Fiji Islands in 1984, was with Hemaji.” The singer described the experience as a special milestone. What started out as painting her posters eventually turned into 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 celebrating Hema Malini’s extraordinary contribution to Indian cinema. Sharing the stage with senior artists while honoring the actress made the occasion more memorable for her.