Happy Birthday, Dimple Kapadia: Married Rajesh Khanna After Dream Debut, Returned To Films After Separation

Dimple Kapadia turned 67 years old today. The actress is still considered one of the finest actresses who had a dream debut in Bollywood. She debuted with the film Bobby in 1973. It was directed by Raj Kapoor and starred Rishi Kapoor and Dimple Kapadia in the lead roles. However, none of her fans would have thought that the actress would be marrying the superstar Rajesh Khanna at the start of her career. She tied the wedding knot with Rajesh Khanna in the same year and quit acting. The actress had numerous offers from critically acclaimed directors after her debut but she chose to quit acting after her marriage reportedly at the behest of Rajesh Khanna. The actress Dimple Kapadia got separated from Rajesh Khanna in 1982. She made her comeback two years later with the film Zakhmi Sher. It was directed by Dasari Narayana Rao and stars Jeetendra and Dimple Kapadia in the lead role. There was no looking back for the actress after this.

While her initial roles often relied on her perceived beauty and sex appeal, Dimple Kapadia was keen to challenge herself and expand her range. This decision was favoured by the film critics as well. She received critical acclaim for her performances in Kaash, Drishti, Rudaali and Lekin. She played the role of the professional mourner in the film Rudaali. The actress won the National Award for her performance in the film.

In the mid-1990s, the actress became selective about the films to work. She started portraying the role of a middle-aged woman in films like Dil Chahta Hai and the American production Leela. Her later films include Hum Kaun Hai, Pyaar Mein Twist, Phir Kabhi, Tum Milo Sahi and many others. Later she started focusing on doing the character roles like in Dabangg, Cocktail, Finding Fanny and Luck By Chance.

She was also seen in the Hollywood thriller Tenet, blockbuster film Pathaan, and an OTT series Saash, Bahu Aur Flamingo. The actress has two daughters–Twinkle Khanna and Rinke Khanna. Twinkle Khanna married Akshay Kumar in 2001. Dimple Kapadia was last seen in the film Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya. It starred Shahid Kapoor and Kriti Sanon in the lead roles.