For more than three decades now, Hema Malini has performed at the Radhe Krishna Utsav held at the Iskcon Temple, Juhu, Mumbai during Janmashtami festival every year. The tradition was interrupted for the first time during covid and it is something Hema Malini regrets deeply. It all began as a dream in the year 1986 when Hema Malini was introduced to a young dancer portraying the role of Ram in a dance ballet. She invited choreographer cum dancer Bhushan Lakhandri to meet her and two destinies changed that day.
Lakhandri conceived The Bride of Brindavan and offered a new platform to the actor. So far, Hema Malini was associated with only classical dance but here was an opportunity to engage a wider audience. She says, “I’m often asked why I only chose mythological subjects for my ballets, I do it because the audience is familiar with the story and it allows me to include different dance forms like Odissi and Mohiniattam. My attraction for Meera also an extension of my love for my guruma who believed in her devotion. Meera belonged to the sixteenth century but lived life on her terms. Her love for her Lord was selfless and flawless. We choreographed the ballet in Kathak dance form because Bharatnatyam would not be appropriate for a character based in Rajasthan.”