In a candid old interview with Rediff, renowned actress Dimple Kapadia unveiled a tense episode with the late superstar Rajesh Khanna, fondly known as ‘Kaka’. Kapadia shared the intense moment when Khanna sharply reprimanded her for offering a simple suggestion, leaving her undeniably shaken.
Dimple Kapadia and Rajesh Khanna, captured here in a photograph from the Mid-Day Archive, shared a relationship that was both deeply romantic and tumultuous. Khanna, a major heartthrob of his generation, found himself irresistibly drawn to the young and charming Dimple Kapadia. Smitten by her allure, he proposed, and Dimple accepted, despite being just 15 years old at the time, while Rajesh was nearly twice her age.
Dimple recollected, “It was during the filming of ‘Jai Shiv Shankar’, the only movie we did together, that the incident took place. Khanna, who had been unwell during the shoot, was supposed to appear on the balcony and wave to the press. I handed him my shawl and sunglasses and suggested warmly, ‘Kakaji, when you go out, don’t look straight; your side profile looks better.’ He looked up at me, visibly irked, and retorted sternly, ‘Ab tum mujhe sikhaogi?’” Her revelation highlighted not only the challenges they faced but also depicted a poignant picture of their relationship dynamics during the film production.
Years later, as Rajesh Khanna retreated from the limelight, their daughter, Twinkle Khanna, stepped into the film industry in 1995. Having navigated the highs and lows of a fluctuating career himself, Rajesh possessed a treasure trove of wisdom and insight about the industry. He had witnessed meteoric success and then a significant decline when his films no longer performed well at the box office.
. This downturn also affected his personal life, leading to Dimple leaving him during the 1980s, taking their two daughters, Twinkle and Rinke, with her.
Despite the personal and professional turbulence, Rajesh Khanna chose to make a rare public appearance to support Twinkle Khanna at the premiere of her film ‘Itihaas’. Conveying both humor and nostalgia, during an interview with Lehren Retro on YouTube, he recalled a fleeting moment when photographers requested Twinkle to smile. Standing beside her, he remarked, “There was a time when you would call out to me and ask me to smile, now you’re calling out to her.”
When attendees noted his scarce presence at such events in recent times, Rajesh explained, “I live in Delhi now, that’s why I’m not seen as often here.” He further elaborated on his role in guiding Twinkle from afar, expressing, “She often seeks my advice, and I remind her that I faced the industry without a godfather, relying solely on my instincts and perseverance. I’ve always advised her to chart her own path and not to rely too heavily on her mother’s guidance, as multiple viewpoints can sometimes lead to more confusion rather than clarity.”
Through these anecdotes, the multifaceted relationship between Rajesh Khanna and his family, as well as the film industry, becomes evident. His intense personality, coupled with his unwavering dedication to his craft, paints a compelling picture of a man who experienced the zenith of stardom and the abyss of an unforgiving entertainment world. Yet, beyond the star persona, these stories shed light on his vulnerabilities, humanizing a legend who remains an iconic figure in the annals of Indian cinema.
Khanna’s love story with Dimple Kapadia, an interwoven narrative of romantic allure and emotional complexities, alongside his role as a guiding father to Twinkle, continues to intrigue and inspire. While the world saw Rajesh Khanna as an insurmountable star, these glimpses offer a more intimate look at the man behind the legend.
