Veteran actress Hema Malini has dismissed the long-held belief that she was once the highest-paid actress in Bollywood, saying that the financial rewards enjoyed by today’s stars were unimaginable during the peak of her career. Speaking candidly on the Hindi Rush podcast, the iconic “Dream Girl” reflected on how actors of her generation were driven more by their passion for cinema than by hefty paychecks.
When the podcast host referred to her as one of the highest earners of the 1970s and 1980s, Hema Malini was quick to reject the claim. Laughing off the suggestion, she said, “No, not at all. Kisne bola yeh? (Who said that?) We used to get a very small amount. Itna kuch nahin dete the (They didn’t pay us much).” She explained that while producers and directors appreciated her work and gradually increased her remuneration as her popularity grew, it was nowhere close to the multi-crore fees commanded by leading actors today.
The actress stressed that money was never the driving force behind her film choices. According to her, she focused on doing meaningful work rather than negotiating for bigger salaries. “I never got the exorbitant fees that today’s stars receive. We didn’t even get a fraction of that,” she said, highlighting the stark difference between Bollywood’s past and present pay structures.
Hema Malini also offered a rare glimpse into how financial matters were handled during her early years in the industry. She revealed that her mother, Jaya Chakravarthy, managed all her professional commitments and was known for her generous approach while dealing with producers. Unlike today’s highly structured contracts and fee negotiations, discussions around remuneration were often informal and based on mutual trust.
Recalling those days, Hema said her mother never pressured filmmakers for higher payments, even when budgets were tight. If a producer admitted that they could not afford to pay more for a project, her mother would simply agree without creating any conflict. Describing the humble nature of those transactions, the actress remarked, “Whatever little envelope they gave us, we accepted it, almost like bheeksha (alms).” The candid statement has since resonated with fans, many of whom see it as a reflection of a different era in Indian cinema.
Having made her acting debut in 1968 with Sapno Ka Saudagar, Hema Malini went on to become one of Bollywood’s biggest stars. Over the decades, she delivered several memorable performances in classics such as Sholay, Seeta Aur Geeta, Dream Girl, Satte Pe Satta, and Baghban. Her versatility and screen presence earned her immense popularity, making her one of the defining faces of Hindi cinema.
Looking back on her remarkable journey, Hema Malini said the greatest reward was never the money she earned but the unforgettable roles and love she received from audiences. “Whatever we gained from the films we worked on was worth much more than the actual money,” she reflected. She also revealed that she never threatened to walk away from a film over salary disagreements, believing that the opportunity to be part of meaningful cinema was far more valuable than financial gain.
Her reflections offer a nostalgic reminder of an era when passion, dedication, and artistic fulfillment often took precedence over commercial success. At a time when conversations around actor salaries frequently dominate industry headlines, Hema Malini’s honest recollection provides a striking contrast to the way Bollywood functions today.
