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Rajesh Khanna and Anju Mahendru: A Complex Love Story
Last Updated: January 12, 2025, 09:38 IST
The Fascinating Romance of Rajesh Khanna and Anju Mahendru
Dimple Kapadia and Rajesh Khanna, one of Bollywood’s most celebrated couples, entered into wedlock in 1973. However, before Dimple became a significant part of his life, there existed a tumultuous love story between Rajesh and Anju Mahendru that captivated the public.
Rajesh Khanna and Anju Mahendru began their relationship in 1966, a connection that continued to draw attention up until his death in 2012. Anju distinguished herself from countless others who admired Rajesh by refusing to cater to his celebrity status, a trait that both intrigued and challenged him. While many would go to great lengths for the star’s affection, Anju maintained a sense of realism that ultimately created friction between them.
Their relationship blossomed during a theatre production, with Rajesh emerging victorious in a talent competition, while Anju was establishing herself as a model. As Rajesh’s popularity grew, Anju’s career faltered in the shadows, overshadowed by his successes. He purchased a house named Aashirvad, where Anju took responsibility for organizing various social gatherings, leading to whispers that he had even gifted her the home. However, as he gained fame, he became increasingly possessive, reportedly disrupting her professional opportunities in ways that forced her to withdraw from various projects.
In 1971, reports surfaced that Rajesh proposed to Anju, but she declined to prioritize her career aspirations. Complicating matters, she became romantically linked to West Indies cricketer Gary Sobers, whom she met through mutual acquaintances. Eventually, Anju accepted Sobers’ proposal, further signaling the strain in her relationship with Rajesh.
Anju Mahendru shared her first encounter with Dimple Kapadia in a revealing interview with Stardust. Initially, Dimple referred to them as “uncle” and “aunty,” but this perception shifted over time. Anju recounted, “When Rajesh and I met her for the first time, Dimple addressed us as uncle and aunty, and then I suddenly saw a shift in her attitude. She pretended to be innocent, but she would take indirect digs at me.”
As rumors surrounding Rajesh and Dimple’s relationship circulated, Rajesh hosted an elaborate party and enlisted Anju to manage the guest list. In a pointed move, she excluded the Kapadia family, inciting Rajesh’s ire. He reached out to Dimple to apologize and invited her to come. This interaction exacerbated tensions between Anju and Dimple, culminating in an incident where Anju sharply remarked to Dimple during a party, “If you are invited, then sure, if not, please go back.”
In time, Rajesh Khanna fell in love with Dimple Kapadia following his breakup with Anju. He proposed, and in 1973, they wed, with Dimple being only 15 years old at the time and nearly half Rajesh’s age. The couple later welcomed two daughters, Twinkle and Rinke Khanna, continuing their legacy in the film industry.
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