Actor Esha Deol, who has been in the film industry for over two decades, recently opened up about the valuable advice her mother, Hema Malini, gave her before she entered Bollywood. Esha praised her mother not only for being one of the top stars of her generation but also for earning the same as her male counterparts.
In an interview with Hauterrfly, Esha revealed that soon after her debut, the constant comparisons between her and her mother started to affect her. She turned to Hema for advice, who told her, “If you’re expecting a smooth ride, you’re in the wrong profession.” Hema also shared tips on navigating an industry that was heavily male-dominated at the time.
Esha said, “Back then, only the heroines and the hairdressers would be women.” She added, “Luckily, my mother has experienced this industry. There were tips that I was always given to avoid getting into that zone of getting into trouble or feeling uncomfortable.” For instance, when she wore a short skirt during a shoot, her man Friday would place a towel on her lap between takes. Similarly, if she wore a low-neck top, she was given a cloth to cover up between shots.
Esha also mentioned that she developed a hugging technique on set where she’d put her arms in front of her and hug the other person around the neck, allowing her to push them back if necessary and avoid body contact. She has often spoken about her father Dharmendra’s initial opposition to her acting career, though he eventually accepted her decision.
Touching on pay parity, Esha emphasized that actors should earn what they deserve, highlighting how her mother commanded the same salaries as her male co-stars. “She didn’t have to fight for the money. When she was ruling, she was wanted in every second or third film. She was the selling point of the film. If Hema Malini was in the film, the film would be a hit. So, she was getting that price,” Esha said.
Esha became the epitome of a bold and daring persona after her electrifying performance in Dhoom Machale, the hit song from her 2004 film Dhoom. Following the massive success of Sanjay Gadhvi’s action thriller, she appeared in several other films, such as Dus, LOC: Kargil, Yuva and No Entry, but struggled to make a lasting impact on the audience. After taking a break from the industry, Esha has returned to start a new inning in her career. Esha was most recently seen in Hunter: Tootega Nahi Todega.
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