How Hema Malini Became the Iconic 'Dream Girl' Before Her Film Even Released

Hema Malini, the celebrated actress and politician, recently shared the intriguing backstory of how she earned the title 'Dream Girl' before her film of the same name was even released. During her appearance on the 'Kapil Sharma Show', she revealed the clever marketing strategy devised by her film's producer, which helped establish her iconic status in Bollywood. The article delves into her debut film, the subsequent movie titled 'Dream Girl', and the unforgettable music that accompanied it, including the hit song sung by Kishore Kumar. Discover the fascinating journey of this legendary actress and her enduring legacy in Indian cinema.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jul 5, 2026, 16:13 IST

The Origin of the 'Dream Girl' Title

Mumbai: Renowned actress and politician Hema Malini recently shared the story behind her famous title, 'Dream Girl'.

During her guest appearance on the 'Kapil Sharma Show', she revealed that the moniker was assigned to her even before the release of her film of the same name.

While conversing with host Kapil Sharma, Hema explained that the producer of her debut Hindi film, Sapno Ka Saudagar (1968), B. Ananthaswami, had a brilliant marketing strategy to introduce her as the 'Dream Girl coming to town'.

"I was curious because the film was nearing its release, and my name wasn't being mentioned. I wondered why they kept calling me 'Dream Girl'. But he assured me, 'That's how your name will be known. Later, we will unveil who the 'Dream Girl' is – Hema Malini'. His concept turned out to be a massive success," she recounted.

Sapno Ka Saudagar, directed by Mahesh Kaul, featured a stellar cast including Raj Kapoor, Hema Malini, Tanuja, and Nadira, with music composed by the renowned duo Shankar Jaikishan.

In 1977, Hema Malini starred in a film titled 'Dream Girl', alongside Ashok Kumar, Dharmendra, and Prem Chopra.

Directed by Pramod Chakravorty, this film tells the story of a young woman (played by Hema) who disguises herself as five different characters – Sapna, Padma, Champabai, Dream Girl, and Rajkumari – to gather funds for an orphanage.

The film's soundtrack, composed by the famous Laxmikant–Pyarelal, features the timeless hit 'Dream Girl', sung by Kishore Kumar, which remains beloved by fans.