Rajesh Khanna on Dimple Kapadia's Divorce Refusal: 'It's a Matter of the Heart'

The marriage of superstar Rajesh Khanna and Dimple Kapadia remains one of Bollywood's most intriguing stories. They married in 1973 when Dimple was only 15 years old, just before her debut film, 'Bobby', launched her to stardom. Rajesh Khanna, affectionately known as Kaka, was already a massive star. They had two daughters, Twinkle Khanna and Rinkie Khanna. However, their marriage soon became a hot topic filled with speculation.

Separate Lives, Undivided Hearts

By 1982, Rajesh and Dimple had decided to live separately. Despite this separation, they never officially divorced. Dimple's refusal to legally end their marriage surprised many, including Rajesh himself.

Khanna's Thoughts on the Unconventional Bond

In a 1990 interview, Rajesh Khanna openly discussed their unusual relationship. When asked about the possibility of reconciliation, he responded:

“Doobara matlab? Pehle kahan alag the? Yeh hai ki alag-alag rehte hai kyunki abhi tak divorce nahi diya hai na usne, wo deti hee nahi hai. Yeh to woh jane kis liye nahi deti hai, pata nahi kis liye. Jab woh ayegi yahan Vancouver mein tab unse ye poochiyega. Woh apko sahi jawab degi. Main to itna hi keh sakta hoon ki nahi diya hai divorce, toh nahi diya. Unki marzi hai. Aur ab kya hai, baat toh dilon ki hai (Come back together as in? We are not divorced; yes we don't live together, but she is not willing to divorce me for reasons best known to her. If you get to interview her, you must ask her why. It is ultimately her choice. This is a matter of the heart)...”

In essence, he acknowledged their separation but emphasized that Dimple's choice not to divorce was her own and perhaps rooted in matters of the heart.

A Single On-Screen Collaboration

Despite their marriage, Rajesh Khanna and Dimple Kapadia only starred in one film together, ‘Jai Shiv Shanker’ in 1990.

Rajesh Khanna passed away on July 18, 2012, at his bungalow Aashirwad. Despite their long separation, Dimple remained by his side during his final moments.