An afternoon of elegance, nostalgia, and cinematic legacy unfolded as legendary actor and Member of Parliament Hema Malini unveiled the latest issue of Society Achievers magazine, featuring iconic filmmaker Ramesh Sippy on the cover.
Hosted at Hema Malini’s beautifully appointed residence, the gathering was warm and filled with memories from one of Indian cinema’s most celebrated eras. Ramesh Sippy attended with his wife, actor Kiran Joneja. The occasion brought together Ashok Dhamankar, Founder of Magnate Publishing; Andrea CostaBir, Chief Editor of Society Achievers; Team Magnate members Jayashree Dhamankar, Mario Ferreira, and Riya Sachdeva; along with Dr (Hon) Anusha Srinivasan Iyer, Founder, Naarad PR & Image Strategists, and her team.
Conversations flowed effortlessly as friendships were celebrated over delicious refreshments in a relaxed and affectionate atmosphere.
Graceful and dignified as ever, Hema Malini spoke fondly about Ramesh Sippy — her Sholay director and long-time friend — revisiting shared memories, creative trust, and the deep mutual respect that marked their collaboration.
She recalled the physical grit that filmmaking once demanded, sharing how she had to dance barefoot on scorching stones during a summer shoot. Her mother had tried to secretly protect her with concealed footwear, but Sippy’s sharp eye caught it instantly.
“He told me to remove the slippers because it would show on camera,” Hema Malini said with a smile. “After every shot, I had to sit with a wet towel on my feet to soothe the burning. It wasn’t easy, but we trusted our director completely.”
Speaking about Sholay, she revealed that Sippy had once hesitated to offer her the role, unsure whether it was right for a leading star to be part of a powerful ensemble instead of a solo-heroine narrative.
“But I believed in his instinct,” she said. “I didn’t think about position. I thought about the story.”
Sippy reflected on that era with humility. “Every actor in that film came with trust. We were working for the film, not for ourselves,” he said.
Dharmendra was affectionately remembered by all, with Sippy recalling the actor’s extraordinary commitment. “He once walked nearly 50 kilometers to reach a shoot. He arrived at dawn, rested briefly, and faced the camera without complaint,” Sippy shared.
“He is such a beautiful soul,” Hema ji added. “One moment playful, the next deeply emotional. And what a phenomenal actor.”
She also revisited the legendary Sholay tank scene, calling it immortal because Dharmendra brought so much of his real self into the performance. With emotion in her voice, she added, “Hari bhai (Sanjeev Kumar) would also have been very happy to see this cover.”
The conversation then shifted to today’s cinema, where Hema Malini spoke about AI reimaginings of classic characters and the possibility of a new generation experiencing Sholay in a different form.
Sippy gently disagreed, saying, “Some films belong to their time. They are made by moments and people you can never recreate.”
But Hema ji responded with warmth, “Maybe with new characters. New talent. And maybe you could be the one to direct it.”
The unveiling became more than a magazine moment — it was a celebration of trust, artistic courage, shared history, and the timeless bonds that cinema creates.
As Ashok Dhamankar summed up, “This was never just a cover launch. It was a tribute to cinema, friendship, and the magic that happens when great storytellers believe in each other.”
