When Rajesh Khanna told wife Dimple Kapadia not to work after marriage: "Wanted a mother for my children..."

Reports suggest that Dimple Kapadia was once offered Rs 5 lakhs to star in a film, but Rajesh Khanna had prevented her from pursuing an acting career.

Dimple Kapadia married Rajesh Khanna in 1973 and had two daughters, Twinkle and Rinke. However, she didn't have a happy marriage with the actor and she eventually separated from him later and moved out with both her daughters. The actress, who became immensely popular portraying the titular role in the Raj Kapoor directorial and her debut film, Bobby (1973), had already bid goodbye to the industry and was settling down in her marriage. According to reports, she was stopped by her husband Rajesh Khanna to act in films after marriage.

Reports suggest that Dimple Kapadia was once offered Rs 5 lakhs to star in a film, but Rajesh Khanna had prevented her from pursuing an acting career. Years later, after their separation, Rajesh candidly admitted that he had made the decision without even watching her iconic debut film, Bobby. His primary reason, he revealed, was that he wanted Dimple to focus on raising their daughters, Twinkle and Rinke.

According to The Indian Express, in a 1990 interview with Movie Magazine, Rajesh clarified that he had no issue with his wife working in films. However, he wished for Dimple to prioritize being a mother over her career. He said in teh interview, "I had no problems about my wife working. But when I married Dimple, I wanted a mother for my children. I didn’t want them to be brought up by servants. And I had no idea of Dimple’s talent; Bobby was still not released."

Another old interview clip of the legendary Rajesh Khanna shed light on his enduring sentiments toward his wife, Dimple Kapadia.

When asked about the possibility of reuniting with her, he reflected deeply, suggesting that they were never truly apart despite living separately. He pointed out that they had never divorced and emphasized that it was Dimple’s decision not to pursue one. While he refrained from speculating on her reasons, he acknowledged that matters of the heart are complex and deeply personal.

Rajesh Khanna expressed his belief that marriage is more than just a legal or social contract—it is a sacred bond, formed through the seven pheras of a wedding ceremony. "Aaj ke is modern zamaane mein yeh institution thoda outdated sa lagta hai kaafi logon ko. Kyunki kuch log kehte hain, kuch log chupate hain. Kuch log isliye nahi kehte kyunki dusra koi dayra nahi hai. Kuch isliye nahi keh paate kyunki ye jo bandhan hai woh todna nahi chahte (In today’s modern era, this institution may seem outdated to many. Some people express their feelings openly, while others keep them hidden. Some choose to remain silent because there is no alternative path for them, while others stay silent because they don’t want to break this bond)" the late actor said.

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In an old interview with India Today, Dimple Kapadia reflected on her early years in the film industry, admitting that she was too young to grasp the significance of Bobby for her career. She recalled that at just 16 years old while filming the movie, she hadn’t fully understood its impact. However, she revealed that from the moment she stepped into Rajesh Khanna’s house, Ashirwad, she had a sense that their marriage might not work out.

However, Dimple eventually made a comeback to the big screen with the 1985 film Saagar. Dimple and Rajesh separated in 1982 but never legally divorced. Their marriage remained intact until Rajesh Khanna's passing on July 18, 2012, following his battle with cancer.