Anita Advani Claims She Was Secretly Married to Rajesh Khanna: A Fresh Chapter in a Decade-Long Controversy

Bollywood’s first superstar, Rajesh Khanna, continues to make headlines even over a decade after his death in 2012. This time, it is due to fresh revelations made by Anita Advani, who claims that she was secretly married to the legendary actor. While Khanna’s family and legal records do not recognize this marriage, Advani’s statements have once again stirred debate around the actor’s personal life, inheritance, and the thin line between love and legality.

The Secret Marriage Claim

In a recent interview, Anita Advani revealed that her relationship with Rajesh Khanna went far beyond companionship. According to her, Khanna performed Hindu marriage rituals with her in their home temple. She claims he tied a mangalsutra around her neck, applied sindoor in her hair parting, and told her: “From today, you are my responsibility.”

Advani emphasized that while the marriage was never made public, it was sacred and meaningful to her. She explained that the film industry was never accepting of such revelations, which is why the ceremony remained private.

Excluded from Final Rites

One of the most painful moments for Advani, as she shared, was being excluded from Rajesh Khanna’s last rites. She alleged that Dimple Kapadia and the Khanna family deliberately kept her away during his funeral and rituals.

“I had lived with him, cared for him, and prayed for him like a wife. To be denied the right to say goodbye was devastating,” she said.

Her emotional account has reignited discussions about how partners without legal or social acknowledgment are often sidelined in moments of loss.

The Legal Position

Despite her claims, Indian courts have so far refused to recognize Anita Advani as Rajesh Khanna’s legal wife. She had filed petitions under the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005, seeking recognition as a live-in partner and demanding residence rights in Khanna’s bungalow, Aashirwad, in Mumbai.

However, the court ruled against her, stating there was insufficient evidence to establish her as a legally wedded spouse or a dependent live-in partner. The Khanna family has consistently denied her claims.

Moreover, Khanna’s will left his fortune exclusively to his daughters Twinkle Khanna and Rinke Khanna, with no mention of Dimple Kapadia or Anita Advani. This further weakened her legal standing in inheritance disputes.

Her Role as a ‘Surrogate Wife’

In earlier statements too, Advani has described herself as a “surrogate wife” to Rajesh Khanna. She claimed that she performed Karva Chauth fasts for him and took care of him in his final years, especially as his health deteriorated.

She also revealed that their relationship was complicated—sometimes loving, sometimes turbulent. In one interview, she admitted that Khanna could be emotionally volatile, and their disagreements often escalated. At times, she even alleged that he displayed aggressive behavior when upset.

Financial Struggles and Lifestyle Revelations

Advani has also spoken about the financial challenges Khanna faced in his later years. According to her, contrary to rumors, the actor never lived in his office or had his bungalow sealed. However, he once received a notice demanding over ₹45 lakh in overdue taxes, which shocked him.

These details, whether fully accurate or not, add to the narrative of a superstar whose final years were far removed from the glamour and grandeur of his prime.

Family Dynamics and Complexity

Rajesh Khanna married Dimple Kapadia in 1973, but the couple separated in the 1980s without a formal divorce. This left Khanna’s personal life open to speculation. While Dimple continued to remain present during his illness and final days, Advani’s presence created tension.

The family’s refusal to acknowledge Advani, coupled with Khanna’s will favoring only his daughters, has cemented the position that legally and socially, she has no recognized place in the superstar’s life story.

Ongoing Debate

Anita Advani’s recent revelations have sparked widespread debate—

• Was she truly married to Rajesh Khanna in a secret ceremony?
• Should emotional and private commitments be given legal acknowledgment?
• Or is this yet another chapter in Bollywood’s long history of hidden relationships and inheritance disputes?

So far, the evidence remains anecdotal. Without documentation or witness testimony strong enough for the court, her claims continue to remain in the realm of controversy rather than law.

Conclusion

More than a decade after his passing, Rajesh Khanna’s personal life continues to generate intrigue. Anita Advani’s claims of a secret marriage highlight the emotional struggles of unrecognized partners and the conflict between personal bonds and legal legitimacy.

While Khanna’s stardom remains untouched in cinematic history, his personal life—marked by separation, alleged secret commitments, and bitter inheritance battles—adds another layer of mystery to the superstar who once ruled millions of hearts.

For now, Anita Advani’s claims remain her truth, but without legal recognition, they are unlikely to alter Rajesh Khanna’s legacy or his family’s standing.

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