Entertainment
Hema Malini Once Admitted She Felt ‘Jealous’ of Amitabh Bachchan: ‘He Gets Every Kind of Character’
Veteran actress Hema Malini once candidly revealed her admiration — and playful jealousy — toward Amitabh Bachchan’s versatile career, highlighting how male actors often receive more diverse roles in Bollywood.
For decades, Amitabh Bachchan has remained one of the most influential and respected figures in Indian cinema. From intense dramas and action films to emotional family stories and experimental characters, the legendary actor has constantly reinvented himself across generations of Bollywood.
While fans have always admired his versatility, veteran actress Hema Malini once made an honest and light-hearted confession about feeling “jealous” of the wide variety of roles offered to him throughout his career.
The revelation came during one of her appearances on the popular television show Aap Ki Adalat, where she spoke candidly about Amitabh Bachchan’s remarkable journey in cinema.
Hema Malini’s Honest Confession
During the conversation, Hema Malini was asked about Amitabh Bachchan’s ability to continuously experiment with unique characters, especially in films like Paa and Bbuddah Hoga Terra Baap.
The interviewer pointed out how Amitabh played a child suffering from a rare medical condition in Paa, only to later transform into a flamboyant larger-than-life character in Bbuddah Hoga Terra Baap.
Reacting to this, Hema Malini acknowledged that Amitabh Bachchan had been fortunate to receive such varied and challenging roles throughout his career.
She remarked that male actors often enjoy more opportunities to experiment on screen, while actresses are not always offered equally layered or unconventional characters.
When asked whether she felt jealous of him because of this, the actress laughed and replied candidly:
“I feel very jealous.”
Her response immediately grabbed attention for its honesty and humour, while also reflecting a larger conversation about gender dynamics in the film industry.
A Career Full of Iconic Collaborations
Over the years, Hema Malini and Amitabh Bachchan have shared screen space in several memorable Bollywood films that continue to be celebrated by audiences even today.
One of their most iconic appearances remains the timeless classic Sholay. Although they were not paired romantically in the film, both actors played important roles that contributed to the movie becoming one of Indian cinema’s greatest blockbusters.
The duo later appeared together in several successful films, including:
- Satte Pe Satta
- Naseeb
- Baghban
- Do Aur Do Paanch
- Kasauti
- Gehri Chaal
- Nastik
- Babul
- Bbuddah Hoga Terra Baap
Interestingly, the two stars also collaborated in the Bhojpuri film Ganga, which released in 2006.
Their long-standing on-screen association remains one of the most recognised partnerships in Hindi cinema history.
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Hema Malini Wanted Stronger Roles for Women
During the same interaction, Hema Malini also spoke about her desire to create stronger opportunities for women through filmmaking.
The actress revealed that she had started her own production house with the intention of backing meaningful stories and substantial characters. She expressed interest in working on films that would offer emotionally rich and performance-driven roles, both for herself and for her elder daughter Esha Deol whenever suitable scripts emerged.
Her comments reflected a concern many actresses from different generations have voiced over the years — the lack of equally diverse and challenging roles for women compared to male stars.
Amitabh Bachchan’s Ever-Evolving Legacy
Even after more than five decades in the film industry, Amitabh Bachchan continues to remain relevant across generations.
From iconic classics like Deewar, Sholay, and Don to modern performances in films like Piku, Pink, Paa, and Brahmastra, the actor has consistently adapted himself to changing cinema trends.
Hema Malini’s playful remark may have come with a smile, but it also highlighted the immense respect many actors still have for Amitabh Bachchan’s unmatched longevity and versatility.
For Bollywood fans, the chemistry and camaraderie shared by these two legends remain an unforgettable part of Indian cinema history.
