Bollywood love stories often look flawless from a distance, glowing with stardom and admiration. Rajesh Khanna and Dimple Kapadia were once the brightest example of that dream. But behind the smiles and headlines, there were moments that quietly revealed how complicated their relationship really was. One such moment, recalled years later by Dimple, unfolded on a film set and stayed with her long after the cameras stopped rolling.
The incident happened during the shooting of Jai Shiv Shankar, the only film Rajesh Khanna and Dimple Kapadia worked on together after their marriage. What should have been an ordinary day turned into a lasting memory for Dimple. In a throwback interview, she spoke about a tense exchange that made her realise how fragile things were between them. Rajesh Khanna was unwell that day but was still expected to step out onto a balcony to greet the waiting press.
Wanting to help, Dimple handed him her shawl and sunglasses and gently suggested Rajesh Khanna that he shouldn’t look straight as his side profile looks better. Instead of appreciation, she was met with a sharp response that made it clear her advice was not welcome. Rajesh Khanna responded in a stern manner, “Ab tum mujhe sikhaogi?” (Will you teach me now?) The tone, she recalled, was enough to shake her confidence and leave her silent.
At the time of their wedding in 1973, Rajesh Khanna and Dimple Kapadia were seen as Bollywood’s ultimate power couple. Dimple was only 15 years old, while Rajesh Khanna, nearly twice her age, was already the biggest star Indian cinema had ever seen. Their marriage was national news and soon they became parents to two daughters, Twinkle Khanna and Rinke Khanna. On the surface, everything appeared perfect.
But fame and success did not protect their relationship. Dimple had tasted early stardom with Bobby, while Rajesh Khanna was enjoying an unmatched run at the box office. Yet the imbalance in age, power and expectations slowly created distance. By 1982, the marriage had effectively come to an end. Though they never officially divorced, their separation became one of the most talked about break-ups in Bollywood.
Dimple Kapadia rebuilt her career with strong, memorable performances, carving her own identity. Rajesh Khanna continued to be revered as Bollywood’s first superstar until his d*mise in 2012. Born Jatin Khanna on December 29, 1942, he redefined stardom with 15 solo hits between 1969 and 1971, including classics like Anand, Kati Patang and Haathi Mere Saathi. Behind the legend, however, was a personal story far more complex than the fairy tale it once appeared to be.
