Behind the fairy-tale image of Bollywood’s most talked-about couple lay moments that were far from romantic. Long before their separation became headline news, a single line spoken on a film set revealed
the power imbalance and tension in Rajesh Khanna and Dimple Kapadia’s marriage. Years later, Dimple recalled that moment. The incident took place during the making of Jai Shiv Shankar, the only film Rajesh Khanna and Dimple Kapadia worked on together after getting married. What should have been a routine shooting day turned into an unforgettable experience for the young actress. A suggestion that changed the mood In a throwback interview with Rediff, Dimple spoke about a tense exchange with her husband that left her shaken. She recalled how Rajesh Khanna was unwell during the shoot and was expected to step out on a balcony to wave at the press. Trying to help, Dimple offered a small suggestion. “It was very nice. The film shaped up very well, but there were financial problems. One time he was not well while we were shooting and he was supposed to come out on the balcony and wave to the press. I handed him my shawl and sunglasses and told him nicely, ‘Kakaji, when you go out, don’t look straight, your side profile looks better.’ He just looked up at me and said sternly, ‘Ab tum mujhe sikhaogi?” A marriage under the spotlight Rajesh Khanna and Dimple Kapadia were Bollywood’s ultimate power couple when they married in 1973. Dimple was just 15 at the time, while Khanna was already Indian cinema’s biggest star, nearly twice her age. Their wedding made headlines across the country, and the couple soon welcomed two daughters, Twinkle and Rinke Khanna. But behind the glamorous image, cracks began to show. Despite early professional highs, including Dimple’s breakout success in Bobby and Rajesh Khanna’s unstoppable run at the box office, their relationship grew strained. The eventual separation By 1982, the marriage had effectively ended. Though Rajesh Khanna and Dimple Kapadia never officially divorced, their separation became one of the most widely discussed celebrity break-ups of the time. Dimple went on to rebuild her career with powerful performances, while Khanna continued to command immense respect as Bollywood’s first superstar until his death in 2012. Born Jatin Khanna on December 29, 1942, Rajesh Khanna redefined stardom with an unmatched streak of 15 solo hits between 1969 and 1971. Films like Anand, Kati Patang and Haathi Mere Saathi cemented his legendary status.
