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The leading ladies in Rajesh Khanna's life

The leading ladies in Rajesh Khanna's life

  • Dimple Kapadia: A 16 year old Dimple Kapadia was swept off her feet by the much older Rajesh Khanna even before her debut film Bobby released. They married in 1973 and spent a turbulent 11 years together. Dimple and Rajesh separated in 1984, but never divorced. She went on to make a big comeback in Saagar, opposite her Bobby co-star Rishi Kapoor. Dimple and Rajesh remained friends, often making public appearances with daughters Twinkle and Rinkie. She nursed him through his long illness and was by his side when he died at home in Mumbai on July 18.
  • Anju Mahendru: Before he married Dimple, Rajesh Khanna was in a seven year long live in relationship with actress and designer Anju Mahendru. The end of their affair took her by surprise and they did not speak for 17 years after breaking up.
  • Tina Munim: The former Miss India was Rajesh Khanna's love interest on-screen in movies like Souten and also, reportedly, off it. She went on to marry industrialist Anil Ambani.
  • Sharmila Tagore: Rajesh Khanna's star making role was in Aradhana, opposite Sharmila Tagore. The film, with it's melodious songs, established him as the top romantic hero of the time, a position he would occupy for 20 years. Sharmila was also his heroine in another tragic-romantic film, Amar Prem.
  • Mumtaz: Rajesh Khanna enjoyed a 100% strike rate with Mumtaz, a record in Bollywood. Each of the nine films they appeared in was a hit. This included Sachaa Jhutha and Aap Ki Kasam.
  • Hema Malini: But Rajesh Khanna's most frequent heroine was not Mumtaz. That honour fell to Hema Malini who appeared in 15 films with the star, among them Kudrat, Andaz and Prem Nagar.
  • Waheeda Rehman: Waheeda and Rajesh Khanna appeared in only one film together - Khamoshi - but it was a milestone in Rajesh Khanna's career as an early critical and dramatic success. Waheeda, who delivered one of her finest performances as a nurse, recommended Rajesh Khanna for the role of one of the patients she gets personally involved with. Khamoshi was a remake of Bengali film Dweep Jele Jaye and will reportedly be remade in Hollywood with Jennifer Aniston playing the lead.
  • Babita: Rajesh Khanna's very first heroine was Babita, then already a leading actress. Although 1966's Aakhri Khat released first, 1967's Raaz opposite Babita was his first acting job. Babita was his heroine in one other film, Doli.
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