Bollywood actress Esha Deol once shared a childhood memory that changed her perspective on family. In her fourth-grade days, a classmate asked her, “You have two moms?” At the time, Esha was unaware of her father Dharmendra’s first marriage to Prakash Kaur. Confused and upset, she denied it, saying, “What nonsense! I have only one mother.”
Later that day, Esha told her mother, Hema Malini, about the incident. It was then that Hema decided to explain everything to her daughter.
Hema Malini Told Esha About Dharmendra’s First Marriage
In Hema Malini’s biography Hema Malini: Beyond the Dream Girl by Ram Kamal Mukherjee, Esha mentioned that her mother calmly revealed the truth. Dharmendra had a family from his first marriage with Prakash Kaur but never divorced her. Hema explained that Dharmendra converted to Islam to marry her in 1980, and they had two daughters, Esha and Ahana.
“At that young age, I finally understood that my father already had a wife and children when he married my mother. But I never felt bad about it, not then, not even now,” Esha said. She credits her parents for creating a loving environment, which made her feel secure despite the unconventional situation.
Dharmendra’s Visits to Hema and Esha
Esha shared that although Dharmendra didn’t live with them, he visited regularly. “He would come home every day, eat with us, and then leave. As a child, I noticed that my friends’ fathers were always present at home, and I realized our family setup was different,” she recalled.
Despite these differences, Esha said she was content with her mother’s presence and never felt something was missing. “I loved my father, but I was always happy and satisfied with my mother.”
A Family Built on Love and Understanding
Esha’s reflections highlight how her parents, despite the complexities of their relationship, ensured she grew up in a happy and stable environment. The actress’s story also gives insight into how children today are more aware of family dynamics, compared to her childhood when such topics were kept private.
