When Dimple Kapadia Wanted to Remarry After Breaking Up with Rajesh Khanna: ‘I Don’t Know What I Would Do…’

Dimple Kapadia was just 15 when she married Rajesh Khanna, who was almost twice her age. Their marriage, which lasted almost nine years, was far from happy, with Dimple calling it “traumatic” in an interview. After their breakup, Dimple returned to films and contemplated remarriage.

In a 1994 interview with Pritish Nandy, Dimple discussed her views on the future of marriage. Despite her separation from Rajesh, she said it would be “unfortunate” if the marriage did not survive, calling it “important”. When asked if she still believed in marriage, Dimple simply replied, “Yes.”

Asked if she would consider getting married again, Dimple said yes, even though she is used to being independent. “Yes, I would consider it. I don’t know how I would adjust because I am used to being myself, but sure, I would like to get married again,” she said.

When asked why she thought the marriage fell apart, Dimple said, “I think we were two very different types of people. And I was probably too young to understand what was going on with this man who was a superstar. I mean, I was never able to understand stars and their behavioral patterns because I’m not one. It’s very difficult for me… I couldn’t understand it. I just couldn’t understand it.”

Dimple Kapadia and Rajesh Khanna were Bollywood’s “it” couple who tied the knot in 1973, when Dimple was just 15 and Khanna was a seasoned star. Their marriage, which started off with a bang, soon fell on hard times. Despite their early successes, including Dimple’s breakthrough role in the Bobby and Khanna series of hits, their relationship deteriorated, leading to a dramatic split in 1982. Although they never officially divorced, their split was a huge media spectacle. Dimple went on to shine in films, while Khanna remained a Bollywood icon until his death in 2012.