Rajesh Khanna and Dimple Kapadia became a legendary Bollywood couple due to their whirlwind romance, significant age difference, and the dramatic, tumultuous nature of their relationship. Their life together, from a high-profile marriage to a public separation without divorce, captured the attention of both the media and the public. Even to this day, their relationship is talked about as if it all happened just yesterday. Recently, a journalist who interviewed Rajesh Khanna in the 1980s recalled his differences of opinion regarding married life with his wife, which might have potentially led to their split.
Rajesh Khanna wanted his wife, Dimple Kapadia, to stay at home
Veteran journalist, Pooja Samant recalled an interview with Rajesh Khanna during her conversation with Hindi Rush. Pooja stated that Rajesh Khanna wanted his wife, Dimple Kapadia, to be a homemaker. Rajesh was 30 and at the peak of his career when he married the 16-year-old Dimple in 1973. However, shortly after their marriage, he forbade her from working in films, wanting her to stay at home and take care of the family. Rajesh believed that the ideal setup for a household was for the husband to work and the wife to stay at home. The journalist’s exact words were:
“I don’t exactly remember all that happened during that interview, but I do know that at the time of getting married, Rajesh told Dimple that she had to take care of the household and his family. He was on the top of the game, and he was a superstar, and he wanted a wife that would take care of everything. He didn’t think that the household would be the same if his wife worked in films.”
Recalling that Rajesh Khanna was at the ‘top of the game’ back then, Pooja mentioned that he was earning quite well. That is why both the spouses didn’t need to work to support the household financially. It might be one of the reasons why Rajesh felt that Dimple should be a homemaker. According to the journalist, it created a difference of opinion between the couple as Dimple ‘knew she was talented’ and wanted to keep contributing to the Bollywood film industry. Pooja felt that it might have been the potential reason for the separation of the star couple. She stated:
“Now people want both the partners to earn in order to sustain the house, but Rajesh did not need any more money. On the other hand, Dimple knew she was talented, and that’s why she wanted to work, and maybe that’s why they ultimately got separated.”
How did Dimple Kapadia and Rajesh Khanna’s love story begin?
Veteran Bollywood stars, Dimple Kapadia and Rajesh Khanna met and fell in love during a meeting in Mumbai and married in 1973. The whirlwind romance was controversial due to Rajesh being 31 and Dimple being a minor, aged 16, when they got married. As a teenager, Dimple was a massive fan of superstar Rajesh Khanna. The two first met at a function in Mumbai. When Kapadia later travelled to Ahmedabad for a play, Khanna, who was also there, proposed to her on the flight back.
His sudden proposal came after the end of his long and tumultuous seven-year relationship with actress, Anju Mahendru. Dimple and Rajesh got married in March 1973, just a few months before her blockbuster debut film, Bobby, was released. Things were fine between them until Rajesh’s behaviour started to change, due to his career lows.
How did their whirlwind romance turn to estrangement?
Despite the initial intense romance, Dimple Kapadia and Rajesh Khanna’s marriage was plagued with problems. It all started with Rajesh asking her not to act anymore. Dimple received enduring fame with her 1973 debut, following the release of Bobby; however, after her marriage, she put her acting career on hold for a decade. Things got worse between the duo when Rajesh’s stardom began to fade, leading to growing personal frustrations. Tensions mounted between them, leading to their separation around 1982; however, they never officially divorced.
What are your thoughts on Rajesh Khanna and Dimple Kapadia’s complex marriage and estrangement? Let us know.
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