In a rare and striking interview with Rediff, Dimple Kapadia shared an intimate moment that had once left her shaken while married to Rajesh Khanna. The Bollywood heartthrob, who had mesmerized an entire generation, was known for his charm both on and off the screen. Yet, there was a side to him that was rather demanding, especially evident during his interactions with his wife, Dimple Kapadia.
Dimple Kapadia was merely 15 years old when she married Rajesh Khanna, who was almost twice her age. Their union was a focal point of media attention, given the immense popularity both of them enjoyed. Despite the glittering surface, their relationship had its share of difficulties, a fact that Dimple opened up about years later.
During their only collaborative project, “Jai Shiv Shankar,” Dimple narrated a particular incident where she faced Rajesh Khanna’s wrath. The project was marred by financial difficulties and health issues on Khanna’s part. One day, during a shoot, he was supposed to come out onto the balcony and greet the press. Seeing that Khanna didn’t look his best, Dimple, in a caring manner, handed him her shawl and sunglasses and advised him, “Kakaji, when you go out, don’t look straight, your side profile looks better.” To her surprise, Khanna looked sternly at her and retorted, “Ab tum mujhe sikhaogi?” This one phrase, laden with frustration and anger, left Dimple noticeably rattled.
Beyond this incident, the Khanna family’s dynamics further became a matter of public interest when their daughter, Twinkle Khanna, ventured into the acting world in 1995. Rajesh Khanna, by then, had retreated from the spotlight, having faced the highs and lows of the film industry. His downfall was particularly stark; from reigning as the superstar to experiencing a significant decline when his movies failed to perform at the box office. This downturn had profound implications on his marriage with Dimple Kapadia, leading to their eventual separation in the 1980s. Dimple left with their two daughters, Twinkle and Rinke, making the public privy to the strains in their relationship.
When Twinkle Khanna started her acting career, Rajesh Khanna made one of his rare public appearances to support her during the event for her film “Itihaas.
.” At this event, he shared a nostalgic moment with the media. Photographers called out to Twinkle to smile, prompting Rajesh to reflect, “There was a time when you would call out to me and ask me to smile, now you’re calling out to her.”
On being asked about his rare appearances at such events, Khanna explained, “I live in Delhi now; that’s why I’m not seen as often here.” His relocation to Delhi had evidently distanced him from the Bollywood circuits of Mumbai. When probed further about how he offered advice to Twinkle from a distance, he shared a piece of timeless wisdom. “She often asks me for advice, and I tell her that I had no godfather in the industry when I started out. She must find her own way as well. I also told her not to seek advice from her mother because if she asks her mother for advice, she’ll only get more confused.”
These insights from Rajesh Khanna reflect not just his perspective on life and stardom but also on parenting and guidance. Despite the turbulence in his personal life, his commitment to helping his daughter navigate her career was evident. His advice underscores a philosophy of self-reliance, a principle he felt deeply about given his own experience of climbing the Bollywood ladder with no godfather.
Returning to the dynamics between Rajesh and Dimple, it is important to note that their relationship, both personal and professional, was representative of the complex web of emotions, challenges, and triumphs that individuals in the spotlight often undergo. Their lives offer both a lens into the glamour of Bollywood and a mirror to the trials faced by celebrities behind closed doors. Rajesh Khanna’s temperamental reaction to Dimple’s suggestion on set highlights the high pressures and emotional toll that their public lives often inflicted on their private selves.
These candid revelations from Dimple Kapadia and Rajesh Khanna serve as a profound testament to the multifaceted lives they led, blending the allure of stardom with the stark realities of personal struggles. Their story reminds us that even the most enchanting tales of Bollywood are intertwined with moments of vulnerability and humanity.
