Hema Malini once shared that Dharmendra has always been conservative when it comes to their daughters, Esha and Ahana Deol. He preferred they avoid sleeveless clothes and held traditional views about their attire.
Dharmendra, who was already married to Prakash Kaur and had four children, including Sunny and Bobby Deol, later married Hema Malini in 1980 at the age of 45. With Hema, he had two daughters, Esha and Ahana Deol. Dharmendra made an effort to be present in the lives of all six of his children but had specific guidelines for his daughters, especially around clothing and travel. He preferred that they avoid short dresses and didn’t allow them to travel out of town alone.
In a throwback interview with Simi Garewal, Hema Malini opened up about Dharmendra’s parenting style with their daughters. She shared, “Whenever he comes to Bombay, he makes sure to spend time with his children, often asking about their studies. When it comes to clothing, he’s particular and likes to see them in salwar kameez. So, when he’s about to visit, my daughters change into traditional outfits.” She added, “It’s not that he dislikes jeans, but he prefers salwar kameez. I tell them, ‘If your father likes it, wear it for him.’”
Hema Malini further said Dhermendra has been always conservative. She said, “He is very traditional and conservative. He hasn’t seen any of my stage performances till date though they are extremely popular around the world. He feels I look very different on stage. He feels that I don’t belong to him whenever I am performing. Apparently, I look very different. So, he doesn’t want to see my shows.”
At the time of this interview, Esha Deol was 17, and Ahana Deol was 14.
Esha Deol, who was a part of the interview added, “He is very possessive about us. He tells us, ‘Girls, you will have to sit at home only. We are also not allowed to go out much often, but mumma is there so we manage to go for sports and all. He even objects if we have to travel outstation for inter-state sports events. He is very concerned and protective. He doesn’t like us wearing sleeveless tops or short pants so whenever he comes home, we get dressed in trousers or salwar kameez.”
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