Rajesh Khanna, India’s first superstar, garnered immense popularity due to his irresistible charm and irreplaceable performances. His professional and personal life was equally illustrious, as there was one name often associated with him — Dimple Kapadia, his wife. Of course, Dimple Kapadia is also an iconic actress and an evergreen impact on the Indian cinema landscape. Here is a candid, detailed, and introspective look at her life, journey, and links to Rajesh Khanna.
Who is Dimple Kapadia?
Dimple Kapadia is a prominent Indian actress recognized for her outstanding contribution to Hindi cinema for almost 50 years. She became an overnight sensation as a teenage star before establishing her versatility in commercial and art-house films. Her marriage to actor Rajesh Khanna is considered one of the most famous relationships in Bollywood history, a story of glamour, love, and tribulations.
Dimple Kapadia Biography
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Dimple Kapadia |
| Date of Birth | June 8, 1957 |
| Place of Birth | Mumbai, Maharashtra, India |
| Family Background | Born into a wealthy Gujarati business family; father Chunibhai Kapadia and mother Betty (Bitti) |
| Siblings | Three (including actress sister Simple Kapadia, all now deceased) |
| Education | St. Joseph’s Convent High School, Mumbai |
| Early Ambition | Aspiring actress from a young age |
| Film Industry Entry | Discovered at age 14 by filmmaker Raj Kapoor |
| Debut Film | Bobby(1973) – Lead role as Bobby Braganza |
| Early Stardom | Instant success and Filmfare Best Actress forBobby |
| Marriage | Married super-star Rajesh Khanna in March 1973 at age 15 |
| Post-Marriage Break | Left acting career soon after marriage |
| Children | Two daughters – Twinkle Khanna (1974), Rinke Khanna (1977) |
| Comeback to Films | Returned to acting in 1984 after separation from Rajesh Khanna |
| Notable Comeback Film | Saagar(1985), won Filmfare Best Actress |
| Career Highlights | Diverse roles including mainstream hits and parallel cinema in films likeKaash,Drishti,Lekin…,Rudaali |
| National Award | Won Best Actress National Film Award forRudaali(1993) |
| Style and Legacy | Known for breakthrough roles and portraying strong, realistic women; transitioned from glamor to character roles |
| Current Age | 68 years |
Dimple Kapadia Age and Early Life
Dimple Kapadia, who is now 68 years old, grew up in the Santacruz area of Mumbai, where she was a student at St. Joseph’s Convent High School. She grew up in a well-off family that had a rich cultural background. Although initially facing the fascination and chaos of the film industry, Dimple’s youthful glamour and talent secured her place as one of the most recognizable actresses of her generation.
Dimple Kapadia Height, Weight, and Physical Appearance
Dimple Kapadia is around 5 feet 2½ inches (1.59 meters) tall. She has kept a beautiful and graceful physique throughout the years, which is highlighted by her captivating eyes and presence on screen. Her beauty and style made her a fashion icon for the 1970s and later.
Dimple Kapadia Educational Qualification
Dimple finished her schooling at St. Joseph’s Convent High School, situated in Mumbai. Due to the strains of becoming a “star” at a young age and marrying young, she did not get the chance for formal higher education, but she gained an education from interpersonal processes as well as her career in the film sector.
Dimple Kapadia Career
Dimple Kapadia had a fabulous debut in Bobby (1973), a major Box Office hit that won her a Filmfare Best Actress Award. After getting married, she took a hiatus from acting, but she made an impressive comeback in the mid-1980s, with the film Saagar. This marked the beginning of a long and prosperous chapter in the Hindi film industry during which she claims lead roles as strong, independent women. Kapadia had a successful career both in the commercial film sector and in the parallel film movement, garnering accolades for her performances in the films, Kaash, Drishti, Lekin…and Rudaali. Her career morphed into a respected character actor in films, like Dil Chahta Hai, and she formerly acted in international productions, which demonstrated her range of acting ability and reliability in continued success.
Dimple Kapadia Movies and TV Shows
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1973 | Bobby | Bobby Braganza | Bollywood debut, breakthrough role |
| 1984 | Manzil Manzil | Seema | Romantic drama |
| 1985 | Aitbaar | Neha | Thriller |
| 1985 | Arjun | Radha | Action drama |
| 1985 | Saagar | Mona | Comeback film, critical acclaim |
| 1986 | Allah-Rakha | Not specified | Drama |
| 1986 | Janbaaz | Reshma | Action thriller |
| 1987 | Kaash | Not specified | Critically acclaimed |
| 1988 | Aakhri Adaalat | Not specified | Crime thriller |
| 1989 | Bees Saal Baad | Kiran | Horror mystery |
| 1990 | Ajooba | Princess | Action fantasy |
| 1991 | Dushman Devta | Not specified | Action drama |
| 1993 | Rudaali | Shanichari | Earned National Film Award |
| 2001 | Dil Chahta Hai | Tara Jaisingh | Supporting role in major hit film |
| 2004 | Hum Kaun Hai? | Not specified | Supernatural thriller |
| 2005 | Pyaar Mein Twist | Sheetal | Romantic comedy |
| 2012 | Cocktail | Not specified | Commercial Bollywood film |
| 2022 | Brahmastra Part One: Shiva | Savitri Devi | Cameo, fantasy action |
| 2023 | Pathaan | Nandini Grewal | Action thriller, major commercial success |
| 2023 | Tu Jhoothi Main Makkaar | Renu Arora | Supporting role, romantic comedy |
| 2024 | Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya | Urmila Shukla | Recent release |
| 2024 | Murder Mubarak | Cookie Katoch | Recent release |
Television Shows
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Tandav | Anuradha Kishore | Political drama series |
| 2023 | Saas, Bahu Aur Flamingo | Savitri | Crime thriller series, lead role |
Dimple Kapadia Awards
| Year | Award Name | Category | Film/Work | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1974 | Filmfare Award | Best Actress | Bobby | Won |
| 1986 | Filmfare Award | Best Actress | Saagar | Won |
| 1991 | Priyadarshni Academy Award | Smita Patil Memorial Award | — | Won |
| 1991 | Filmfare Award | Outstanding Performance | Drishti | Won |
| 1992 | Bengal Film Journalists’ Award | Best Actress (Hindi) | Drishti | Won |
| 1992 | Filmfare Critics Award | Best Performance | Rudaali | Won |
| 1993 | National Film Award | Best Actress | Rudaali | Won |
| 1993 | Asia-Pacific Film Festival | Best Actress | Rudaali | Won |
| 1993 | Damascus International Film Fest | Best Actress | Rudaali | Won |
| 1994 | Filmfare Award | Best Supporting Actress | Krantiveer | Won |
| 2024 | Dadasaheb Phalke International Film Festival | Best Supporting Actress | Pathaan | Won |
| 2024 | Zee Cine Award | Best Supporting Actress | Pathaan | Won |
| 2024 | e4m Play Streaming Media Award | Best Actress in a Leading Role | Saas, Bahu Aur Flamingo | Won |
Dimple Kapadia Husband Rajesh Khanna
Dimple Kapadia married Rajesh Khanna in March 1973 at the age of just 15 to Khanna’s 30. Rajesh Khanna was India’s first superstar, and the two attracted a great deal of media attention at the time. Despite having their share of relationship challenges, both Dimple and Rajesh lived an important chapter in both their lives – the personal and professional challenges they faced together were alike.
When Did Dimple Kapadia and Rajesh Khanna Meet?
Dimple and Rajesh Khanna would encounter each other at film industry events organized by their families and various common friends. The young actress had a major crush on Rajesh Khanna, who had become a superstar by that time. Their romance developed quickly, and they married shortly before her film Bobby was released.
Dimple Kapadia and Rajesh Khanna Love Story
While their relationship would be considered short prior to getting married, it would be recorded as one of the significant love stories in the history of Bollywood. Dimple would often refer to marrying Rajesh Khanna as one of the most important events of her life, and their wedding day was a lavish occasion – nearly a star-studded red-carpet event reflecting their celebrity status. Their marriage ended weeks after it started, but the circumstances surrounding it would resonate throughout the longstanding Bollywood story about love and fame.
Dimple Kapadia Marriage
Dimple Kapadia married Rajesh Khanna on March 27, 1973, just before the release of Bobby, when she was only 16 years old. After marrying, she stepped away from acting to concentrate on family life. However, their marriage had rocky times, and they separated in the early 1980s, but stayed in touch right up until Rajesh Khanna died in 2012.
Dimple Kapadia Relationship/ Boyfriend
| Person(s) Involved | Relationship Details | Time Period | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimple Kapadia and Rajesh Khanna | Married in 1973, separated in early 1980s; complex and troubled marriage | 1973–1982 | Marriage ended in separation but no formal divorce |
| Dimple Kapadia and Sunny Deol | Rumored romantic relationship, kept private; alleged affair lasted about 11 years | Mid-1980s to late 1990s | Strong on-screen chemistry; frequently photographed together; curious incident of hand-holding in London sparked media buzz. Sunny was married to Pooja Deol during this time but reportedly deeply in love with Dimple. |
| Dimple Kapadia and Rishi Kapoor | Close friendship and professional colleagues; rumors of affection but no verified romantic affair | Various projects, no confirmed romance | No public confirmation, regarded as close friends in the industry |
Dimple Kapadia Family
Dimple Kapadia grew up in a tight-knit family of Gujarati origins. She had three other siblings, one being the late actress Simple Kapadia. After she separated from her husband, she became responsible, at a young age, for taking care of, providing for, and raising her family, and especially her two daughters, with love and dedication.
- Father: Chunnibhai Kapadia
- Mother: Betty Kapadia
- Sister: Simple Kapadia (Actress, passed away in 2009)
Dimple Kapadia Children
Dimple and Rajesh Khanna have two daughters:
- Twinkle Khanna: A former actress turned author and lifestyle entrepreneur
- Rinke Khanna: Former actress who later stepped away from films
Both daughters briefly worked in Bollywood before turning to other pursuits.
Dimple Kapadia Net Worth
The estimated net worth of Dimple Kapadia is between $10 million and $20 million, derived from her long career in acting, endorsements, and other projects. She lives comfortably but with restraint when it comes to her personal life.
Dimple Kapadia Social Media
Dimple Kapadia is quite reserved on social media and doesn’t participate in social platforms such as Instagram or Twitter. Instead, she usually shares her public updates and reviews through interviews and social media from her daughters.
Conclusion
Dimple Kapadia’s life is an impactful chronicle of early fame, romantic highs, personal adversity, and professional comeback. Dimple Kapadia was happily married to Rajesh Khanna and handled the intricacies of celebrity life with dignity, while also solidifying the groundwork for her own illustrious career. Today, she is honored as much not only as a star of the past and chapter of a superstar relationship, but she is an everlasting symbol of talent and persistence in Indian cinema.
FAQ’s
Who is Dimple Kapadia?
A: Dimple Kapadia is a celebrated Indian actress known for her work in Hindi cinema. She gained fame with her debut in Bobby (1973) and has had a successful career spanning several decades.
What is age of Dimple Kapadia?
She is 68 years old as of 2025.
What is Dimple kapadia net worth?
The estimated net worth of Dimple Kapadia is between $10 million and $20 million.
Who is Dimple Kapadia’s husband?
A: Dimple Kapadia married Bollywood superstar Rajesh Khanna in 1973. They separated in the early 1980s but never officially divorced.
Also read: Radha yadav (Wife of Rajpal Yadav): Complete Biography, Life, Family, and Love Story