The era of the 1980s was a golden time for Bollywood. It was marked by uncomplicated love stories, family-centric plotlines, clean-shaven heroes, and charming actresses prancing around trees while exchanging shy glances. One such iconic film that encapsulated the spirit of this era was Love Story (1981). Starring Kumar Gaurav and Vijayta Pandit, the film was not only a huge box-office success but also turned its lead pair into overnight sensations. Fans adored them both on and off the screen, and soon rumors of their real-life romance began to circulate.
However, this love story did not have the happy ending that fans were hoping for, and the reason behind it was allegedly the disapproval of Kumar Gaurav's father, Rajendra Kumar.
The Rise of Kumar Gaurav and His Chemistry with Vijayta Pandit
Kumar Gaurav’s rise to fame was almost meteoric. Born as Manoj Tuli, he was the son of Bollywood superstar Rajendra Kumar. With such a legacy behind him, expectations were sky-high when Kumar Gaurav entered the industry. His debut in Love Story under his father’s banner was nothing short of spectacular. The film was an instant hit, and Kumar’s chocolate-boy looks and charming on-screen presence made him the heartthrob of the nation.
However, it wasn’t just Kumar Gaurav’s solo appeal that captured the audience's hearts. His chemistry with co-star Vijayta Pandit was electric. Together, they created a magic that resonated with the audiences, who couldn’t get enough of their on-screen romance. Fans eagerly rooted for the couple, both in the movie and in real life, as rumors of their off-screen relationship began to circulate.
But behind this successful partnership, there was trouble brewing. While the young stars seemed to be smitten with each other, their relationship would soon hit a major roadblock—Kumar’s father, Rajendra Kumar.
The Alleged Breakup Under Pressure
As their love story blossomed both on and off the screen, it became apparent that not everyone was on board with this match. Rajendra Kumar, a respected and influential figure in the industry, reportedly did not approve of Vijayta Pandit as his son's life partner. According to sources, Rajendra Kumar wanted someone more suitable for his son in terms of status and background, and Vijayta, despite her own family connections to the film industry, did not meet his expectations.
It is said that Rajendra Kumar’s disapproval played a crucial role in the eventual breakup between Kumar Gaurav and Vijayta Pandit. While the duo seemed destined for marriage, the pressure from his father reportedly became too much for Kumar Gaurav to handle, leading him to end the relationship. This decision left fans heartbroken, as they had envisioned the on-screen couple walking down the aisle in real life as well.
In a throwback interview with Hindustan Times, Kumar Gaurav admitted to feeling the pressure that came with being the son of a superstar. He said, "Initially I did feel the pressure because there were expectations because of my dad’s name. But I did whatever I could, to the best of my abilities."
The Fallout of the Breakup
The aftermath of the breakup was tough for both parties. Vijayta Pandit, who had enjoyed immense popularity after the success of Love Story, found herself deeply affected by the split. Reports suggest that she had grown close to the Gaurav family during their relationship, and the breakup hit her hard emotionally. While she continued to work in the film industry for a while, her career never quite reached the heights that many had expected after her debut.
For Kumar Gaurav, the breakup also came at a challenging time in his career. While he had experienced immense success with his first film, replicating that success proved to be difficult. Despite his good looks and strong fan following, his subsequent films failed to make the same impact at the box office. Over the years, Kumar Gaurav slowly faded from the Bollywood spotlight.
It was said that Kumar Gaurav received "overnight stardom after his first hit." With his looks, fans began comparing him to megastars like Amitabh Bachchan and Rajesh Khanna. Despite the massive fan following, success did not last long. In fact, in almost 13 active years of his filmy career, none of his films ever managed to recreate the magic of Love Story.
On-Screen and Off-Screen Chemistry
The chemistry between Kumar Gaurav and Vijayta Pandit was undeniable, both on and off the screen. In Love Story, their performances won the hearts of audiences, and their off-screen romance only fueled the media frenzy. Rumors of their closeness circulated, with reports even suggesting that the couple was planning to get married. However, just as their relationship was gaining serious momentum, the news of their split shocked fans everywhere.
Their on-screen chemistry in Love Story was so strong that it created an expectation that their romance would lead to marriage. However, rumors began to surface that Rajendra Kumar was not in favor of Vijayta Pandit becoming the 'bahu' (daughter-in-law) of the Gaurav family. As the pressure mounted, the relationship crumbled, leaving fans and the media speculating about the reasons behind the sudden breakup.
Life Today
Both Kumar Gaurav and Vijayta Pandit moved on with their lives after their highly publicized breakup, albeit in different directions. Kumar Gaurav eventually found love again with Namrata Dutt, the daughter of legendary actors Sunil Dutt and Nargis, and the sister of actor Sanjay Dutt. The two got married and have led a relatively private life compared to the public scrutiny they faced in their younger days.
Speaking about his life now, Kumar Gaurav revealed in an interview that he has no desire to return to films. "Acting is definitely my first love, but I will not just sign on any movie for the heck of it. I don’t miss the public eye at all!"
He also shared details about his business ventures, saying, "I’ve been keeping busy in life. I have a travel business in the Maldives and I was into some construction (business). I’ve not been doing films because I haven’t been getting good offers. Nothing interesting has come my way. The day I get one, I’ll do it because I want to believe in it and enjoy it. I just don’t want to do films for the heck of it."
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