8 June 1957
A girl was born in the house of Bombay’s renowned industrialist Chunnibhai Kapadia. Chunnibhai belonged to a wealthy Ismaili Khoja family. The 41st Nizari Ismaili Imam Aga Khan III (Founding Father of Pakistan) gave her the name Amina right after Dimple’s birth. However, the family identified her by the name Dimple.
Childhood picture of Dimple Kapadia with sister Simple.
Her father was from a wealthy family whose social circle included people connected to the film industry.
Dimple was merely 14 years old when one day, while sitting in school, her eyes fell upon a newspaper. The advertisement read- Raj Kapoor is searching for a new face for his new film Bobby.
Upon reading about Dimple, she immediately told her friends sitting beside her, ‘I will do this film.’
It was surprising because, even before this, Dimple, at the age of 13, had rejected Hrishikesh Mukherjee’s famous film ‘Guddi’, in which Jaya Bhaduri was later cast.
Dimple’s father’s friend, Anjana Rawail, was a famous screenwriter. In director HS Rawail’s film Sangharsh (1968), who was Anjana’s relative, Dimple, at the age of 11, had played the childhood role of Vyjayanthimala, although her scenes were later cut.
After reading the advertisement for Bobby, as soon as she returned home from school, she asked her father to gather all the information and send photographs to Raj Kapoor’s office through her friend Munni Dhawan.
Raj Kapoor immediately rejected her after seeing her face. He was launching his son, Rishi Kapoor, with that film, and Dimple looked older than Rishi at that time.
At that time, Neetu Singh’s mother wanted Raj Kapoor to launch her daughter with this film, but Raj Kapoor wanted a new face, and Neetu had already done many films in her childhood, so it didn’t work out.
A few days after Dimple was rejected, she was called again for a screen test on the set of a Raj Kapoor film on her father’s recommendation, and this time she was selected. Doing this film was Dimple’s dream, but who knew that by the time the film was made and released, her life would be completely changed.
A new girl had proposed to India’s first superstar, Rajesh Khanna, and married him. She was already pregnant before Bobby’s release. The film Bobby was a blockbuster, and Dimple became a star overnight, but she had to leave the industry for marriage.
Today, Dimple Kapadia has turned 69 years old. On the special occasion of her birthday, know interesting stories from her life, which are the essence of her personality-
Story-1
Kept Rishi Kapoor’s girlfriend’s ring, which led to a controversy
At just 14, Dimple Kapadia landed her breakthrough role in Bobby, a film that director Raj Kapoor made in an effort to recover from the financial setbacks of his earlier flops. Raj Kapoor personally oversaw Dimple’s grooming and acting training. During the film’s shoot, Dimple and co-star Rishi Kapoor developed a close friendship.
At the time, Rishi was in a relationship with Yasmin Mehta, his first love, who had gifted him a ring he always wore. Dimple admired the ring and often borrowed it, eventually keeping it. As reports of Dimple and Rishi’s growing closeness surfaced, Yasmin ended her relationship with Rishi despite his efforts to win her back.
See pictures of Dimple from the film Bobby-
Dimple Kapadia present on set with Raj Kapoor.
Rishi Kapoor, Dimple Kapadia and Raj Kapoor on film’s set.
Rishi Kapoor and Dimple Kapadia in film ‘Bobby.’
Story- 2
Dimple used to arrive on Bobby’s set in luxury cars, Amitabh Bachchan would tease Rishi about his broken-down Fiat
Dimple Kapadia came from a wealthy family, and her father, a successful businessman, owned several luxury cars. During the shooting of Bobby, she often arrived on set in imported vehicles, while Rishi Kapoor, whose family was facing financial difficulties at the time, travelled in an old Fiat.
Around the same period, a young Amitabh Bachchan, who was shooting for Bombay to Goa, would jokingly tease Rishi about his heroine’s lavish lifestyle. When teased about it, Dimple confidently remarked, “I’m Raj Kapoor’s heroine. I’m already a star. Whether the film succeeds or not, I’ll remain a star.” Recalling the incident later, Rishi Kapoor admitted, “She truly was a star even then.”
Anecdote – 3
She used to make blank calls to Rajesh Khanna, then proposed on a flight
During the shooting of Bobby, Dimple Kapadia attended an event at Navrangpura Sports Club in Ahmedabad, where superstar Rajesh Khanna was the chief guest. A longtime admirer of Rajesh Khanna, Dimple couldn’t take her eyes off him, while he, too, noticed her and inquired about her. Dimple used to make blank calls to Rajesh Khanna.
On the journey back, Rajesh sat beside Dimple, and the two struck up a conversation. Playfully, Dimple asked if he would hold her hand through the crowd, then added, “Forever.” Soon after returning to Mumbai, Rajesh Khanna proposed to her. Dimple was 16, while Rajesh was 31.
The family agreed without delay, but then Rajesh Khanna put a condition that the wedding would have to take place in just 1 week. The family agreed to this as well.
Story-4
She was wearing Rishi Kapoor’s girlfriend’s ring, when Rajesh Khanna gave a diamond ring, she had to throw it away
Before their wedding, Rajesh Khanna reportedly took Dimple Kapadia for a seaside outing and proposed with a diamond ring.
At the time, Dimple was wearing a ring linked to Rishi Kapoor’s then-girlfriend, Yasmin. In this situation, Rajesh Khanna made her remove that ring, threw it into the sea, and put his own ring on her finger. At that time, it was reported in magazines that Rajesh had Rishi Kapoor’s ring removed to put his own ring on. When Rishi Kapoor’s girlfriend read this news, she misunderstood that Rishi himself must have given that ring to Dimple. Due to this misunderstanding, her relationship with Rishi broke forever.
Rajesh and Dimple married on March 27, 1973, in an Arya Samaj ceremony, followed by a star-studded reception for the film industry.
See pictures of Dimple Kapadia and Rajesh Khanna’s wedding and reception-
Wedding pictures of Rajesh Khanna and Dimple Kapadia. Lata Mangeshkar posing for a picture with them.
Story-5
Shot Bobby’s song with mehndi applied after marriage
After her marriage to Rajesh Khanna, Dimple Kapadia returned to complete the shooting of Bobby with henna still visible on her hands. Although the filming of the song Mujhe Kuch Kehna Hai was initially delayed, the makers eventually proceeded to avoid production setbacks, and the henna can be clearly seen in the song. Released six months after her wedding, Bobby became a massive blockbuster and earned Dimple the Filmfare Award for Best Actress.
Her fashion and performance created a nationwide sensation, and many filmmakers were eager to sign her. However, Rajesh Khanna preferred that she stay away from films after marriage. Respecting his wishes, Dimple stepped away from acting and became a mother at just 17 years old.
Story- 6
Used to drink alcohol sitting alone on the sets of Rajesh Khanna’s films, told Hema – Dharmendra will not marry you
After marrying Rajesh Khanna, Dimple Kapadia reportedly became largely dependent on him and often spent long hours alone on the sets of his films while he was busy shooting. Hema Malini, who had grown close to Dimple, later wrote in her autobiography Hema Malini: Beyond the Dream Girl that Dimple seemed lonely and emotionally distressed during that period.
According to Hema, Dimple would often sit quietly in a corner, smoking and drinking, with little company or entertainment. During one such conversation, Dimple reportedly advised Hema, who was then in a relationship with Dharmendra, to take charge of her own future rather than wait for marriage.
Story- 7
Made a comeback after 10 years, started trembling upon seeing the camera
A few years into their marriage, cracks reportedly began to appear in Dimple Kapadia and Rajesh Khanna’s relationship. The situation worsened amid rumours linking Rajesh Khanna to actress Tina Munim. In 1982, nearly nine years after their wedding, Dimple moved back to her parents’ home with their daughters, Twinkle and Rinke Khanna.
Determined to support her children, Dimple decided to return to acting. When filmmaker Ramesh Sippy learned of her plans, he invited her for a screen test. Having been away from films for years, Dimple was so nervous that she struggled to deliver her dialogue.
Although the test did not go well, Sippy still cast her in Saagar alongside Rishi Kapoor and Kamal Haasan. Before Saagar was released in 1985 and became a blockbuster, Dimple made her comeback with Zakhmi Sher in 1984.
Story-8
Sunny spoke to stepmother Hema Malini for the first time for Dimple
While working together in films like Manzil Manzil and Aitbaar, Dimple Kapadia and Sunny Deol grew closer. The two remained in a relationship for about 11 years, but when this relationship created problems in Sunny’s married life, they separated. At that time, Dimple’s daughters used to call Sunny ‘Chhote Papa’ (younger father).
According to Hema Malini’s autobiography, her first conversation with Sunny Deol happened because of Dimple Kapadia. During the shooting of Dil Aashna Hai in 1991, Dimple was required to film a helicopter sequence with Mithun Chakraborty.
However, she was extremely nervous after hearing about a pilot’s death in a helicopter accident. Worried about performing the scene, she called Sunny Deol, who reportedly arrived on the set shortly afterward. It was there that Sunny spoke to his stepmother, Hema Malini, for the first time.
Hema later reassured him that Dimple would not be forced to shoot the helicopter sequence if she was uncomfortable doing it.
Story- 9
She was Sunny Deol’s girlfriend, Dharmendra had to kiss her in the film despite not wanting to
In the 1992 film Dushman Devta, Dimple Kapadia starred opposite veteran actor Dharmendra, who was 21 years older than her. A kissing scene between the two attracted considerable attention, especially because Dimple was reportedly in a relationship with Dharmendra’s son, Sunny Deol, at the time.
According to media reports, the scene was not part of the original script and was added later, which allegedly upset Dimple. It is said that she filmed the sequence reluctantly and initially refused to dub it before eventually agreeing. Years later, in 2017, Dimple and Sunny were spotted together in London, reigniting speculation about their relationship.
Story- 10
Thought Akshay Kumar was gay, got him tested before daughter’s wedding
Akshay Kumar married Dimple Kapadia’s daughter Twinkle in the year 2000. When Akshay was dating Twinkle, one of Dimple’s friends told her that Akshay Kumar is gay. With time, Dimple became worried about her daughter and started investigating. One day she put a condition before Akshay that if he wanted to marry Twinkle, he would first have to undergo a genetic test. At her insistence, Akshay also got the test done. This story was shared by Akshay and Twinkle themselves on the chat show Koffee with Karan.
Story- 11
Rajesh Khanna got angry at Dimple, said- Will you teach me
Even after leaving Rajesh Khanna’s house, Dimple maintained a relationship with him for the sake of their daughters. Both were seen together at several public events.
In 1990, Rajesh Khanna’s film Jai Shiv Shankar was released. In this film, Dimple Kapadia appeared with Rajesh Khanna. During the shooting, once Rajesh fell ill, but outside his hotel, his fans were crowding to get a glimpse of him. Dimple shared this story in a conversation with Rediff dot com, saying that when Rajesh decided to go in front of everyone, Dimple gave him sunglasses and a shawl.
Dimple said to him- ‘Kakaji, when you look at people, don’t look straight ahead, your side profile looks better.’
Rajesh Khanna looked at Dimple angrily and replied- ‘Now you will teach me?’
Hearing this response from Rajesh, she got scared and started apologizing with folded hands in front of everyone.
In the year 2012, when Rajesh fell ill, Dimple took great care of him. When Rajesh passed away, Dimple was present throughout.
