Mumbai: Anita Advani, who has publicly described herself as the longtime partner of late Bollywood superstar Rajesh Khanna, has claimed that the actor repeatedly sought a divorce from his estranged wife, Dimple Kapadia, but the marriage was never legally dissolved.
According to Indian media reports, Rajesh Khanna married Dimple Kapadia in 1973, when she was 16 years old. The marriage initially attracted widespread attention, but the relationship reportedly became strained over time. After the birth of their two daughters, the couple separated in 1982, although they never formally divorced.
Following the separation, Rajesh Khanna was reportedly in a long-term relationship with Anita Advani for more than a decade until his death in 2012.
The issue resurfaced after the Bombay High Court reportedly dismissed Anita Advani’s petition in April this year, in which she sought legal recognition of her relationship with Rajesh Khanna as a valid marriage.
According to media reports, the court held that the relationship had the character of a live-in relationship and did not satisfy the legal requirements for a marriage under the Hindu Marriage Act.
Reacting to the ruling, Anita Advani expressed dissatisfaction, saying her case had been assessed under the Hindu Marriage Act despite her belief that it should have been considered under different civil laws.
Speaking to Indian media, Advani also made fresh claims about Rajesh Khanna’s marriage to Dimple Kapadia. She alleged that the actor had asked his wife for a divorce on 10 occasions, but she refused each time.
According to Anita Advani, Dimple Kapadia allegedly insisted that if Rajesh Khanna wanted a divorce, he should transfer all of his assets to her. Advani further claimed that Rajesh Khanna himself had spoken in past interviews about repeatedly seeking a divorce but was unable to obtain one.
These statements are claims made by Anita Advani and have not been independently verified. Dimple Kapadia has not publicly responded to these allegations, and there has been no official comment from her regarding the latest remarks.
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