She debuted with Sapnon ka Saudagar in 1968 and achieved stardom after acting alongside Dev Anand in Johnny Mera Naam. The doe eyed actress won a Filmfare for her delicious double role in Seeta aur Geeta and has immortalized the character of the vivacious and talkative tongewali Dhano in the cult classic Sholay.

In a career spanning over 40 years, Hemaji has done more than 140 movies. At the peak of her career, she was a versatile actress who never wore revealing outfits and fit easily into any role whether it was comic, dramatic or romantic. Satte pe satta, The Burning Train, Jugnu, Trishul, Naseeb, Kranti, Ek Chaddar Maili Si are some of her memorable movies. People couldn't stop gushing over her radiant beauty in recent movies like Veer Zaara, Baabul and Baghban in which she co-starred with fellow Libran and superstar Amitabh Bachchan.

Handsome Punjab da puttar Dharmendra didn't only woo doe eyed Hemaji in movies like Jugnu, Sholay, Dreamgirl, Satte pe Satta and The Burning Train. The already married man fell for her in real life and married her in May 1980. The couple has two daughters, actress Esha Deol and Ahana Deol.

Winner of numerous awards, Hemaji also tried her hand at directing and launched current superstar Shah Rukh Khan in Dil Aashna Hai. She also directed a TV series called Nupoor. She is also a Bharatiya Janata Party and Rajya Sabha member and supports various social and charitable causes. She hasn't retired completely from movies and will be seen next in Ek Thi Rani Aisi Bhi with Vinod Khanna. Bollywood hasn't seen a more graceful or beautiful actress than her. We wish this dignified living legend a very Happy Birthday and many more joyful years to come.