Rajesh Khanna was not merely successful as an actor but also widely regarded as a cultural phenomenon that redefined the meaning of stardom within the Indian film industry. Often referred to as the first superstar in Bollywood, his level of fame was unprecedented among actors before him — from the overwhelming amount of fan devotion to record box office receipts, Rajesh Khanna became synonymous with an era of filmmaking. Even today, long after his passing, people continue to be enthralled by his story and seek to gain insight into all aspects of Rajesh Khanna’s life, including his wife, family, relationships and legacy.
Rajesh Khanna was born Jatin Khanna on December 29, 1942. He was adopted by his maternal uncle and was raised in a very comfortable home environment. Although his upbringing was somewhat humble, his dreams were boundless. Rajesh would eventually go on to develop an interest in acting as a teenager and participate in various theatre productions and competitions. A turning point in his life came when he won the United Producers’ Talent Competition, beating out thousands of competitors for the same position, thus allowing him access to the world of Bollywood and marking the beginning of what would become an extraordinary acting career.
The peak of Rajesh Khanna’s reign as an elite Bollywood idol was between the late 1960s and early 1970s, when he had an unparalleled run of 15 consecutive successful motion picture releases, which remains an unmatched achievement to this day. His films, including Aradhana, Anand, Kati Patang and Amar Prem, quickly became an obsession for all of India and beyond. He garnered this status due to his incredible romantic persona; his emotion-evoking performances, the beautiful music written for him, and his way of delivering his lines created hysteria amongst fans. They stood outside his house every day for a glimpse of him, married his photographs, and wrote letters in blood – an intensity of devotion never seen before or since.
As much attention was placed on Khanna as a husband as there was on him as an actor. Today, most people who ask “Who is Rajesh Khanna’s wife?” are answered with ‘Dimple Kapadia’. They married in 1973 when Dimple was only 16 years old and about to make her debut in Bollywood with the film Bobby, and their wedding was the biggest news story in the country. After a short time together, the couple began to have problems, and they separated in 1982; they, however, never divorced. Dimple Kapadia remained devoted to Rajesh Khanna during the final years of his life, caring for him while he was ill and arranging for his last rites; a level of continuity that persevered above and beyond the boundaries of marriage.
Rajesh Khanna and Dimple Kapadia had two daughters, Twinkle Khanna and Rinke Khanna. Twinkle has become an actress, a bestselling author, and an entrepreneur, while Rinke has minor roles in films. Akshay Kumar, Twinkle’s husband, also contributed to the family’s popularity. Despite fighting his own personal demons, Rajesh Khanna not only had a strong father-daughter relationship but also greatly impacted their lives. The answer is no, he wasn’t remarried prior to his passing. While he previously dated Anju Mahendru, Tina Ambani and subsequently Anita Advani, these relationships did not culminate in marriage. After his passing in 2012, Anita Advani declared she had lived with him in a committed relationship, which prompted legal disputes and media stories. The family denied these assertions.
The passing of Rajesh Khanna occurred on 18 July 2012 at the age of 69. At the end of his life, he was battling serious medical issues such as cancer; however, he still greeted fans from his balcony every day until the day before his death.
At the time of his passing, Rajesh Khanna’s estate was estimated to be worth approximately ₹80 crore, but Rajesh Khanna’s greatest legacy will continue to be his body of work (movies), the incredible music created by him and for film and a lasting impact on the Bollywood film industry. He had many facets to his personality. He was not only the first true superstar of Bollywood, but he also encompassed all the various emotions that come along with being a superstar – love, despair, success, pain, and loss. He will continue to be remembered for having brought so much magic to Bollywood.
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