On Wednesday, April 1, 2026, Justice Sharmila Deshmukh of the Bombay High Court dismissed the first appeal filed by actor Anita Advani, who had sought legal recognition of her ‘relationship’ with late 1970s–80s Bollywood superstar Rajesh Khanna as a ‘marriage-like’ union.
Film journalists who closely tracked this story until Khanna’s death on July 18, 2012, were frequently told by Advani that she had allegedly been in an eight-year ‘relationship’ with the ailing actor, which she considered equivalent to a ‘marriage’ because she cared for him and was reportedly present at his official residence, Ashirwad, in Bandra, Mumbai, throughout the years before his death. To those willing to listen, Advani recounted observing fasts for Khanna’s well-being and celebrating festivals such as Ganesh Chaturthi.
The Bombay High Court has rejected a petition filed by actress Anita Advani seeking legal recognition of her alleged marriage to the late superstar Rajesh Khanna. Justice Sharmila Deshmukh dismissed Advani’s first appeal, which contested a 2017 judgment delivered by a Dindoshi civil court in Mumbai. By affirming the lower court’s decision, the High Court clarified that her assertions do not meet the legal criteria to be recognized as a valid marriage.
During the hearing, arguments were put forward on behalf of Khanna’s wife, Dimple Kapadia, his daughter, Twinkle Khanna, and his son-in-law, Akshay Kumar. The family categorically rejected Advani’s claims, asserting that she was neither married to the actor nor involved in any legally recognised live-in relationship with him.
Divorce Was a Bad Word In The 70’s/80’s
It’s unfortunate for Advani, or for anyone who became romantically involved with the many estranged celebrities of the 1970s and 1980s. Dimple Kapadia and Rajesh Khanna married in March 1973, and they separated in 1982, when the actress walked out with their two daughters, Twinkle and Rinke, to make a comeback to the movies. However, Kapadia and Khanna did not divorce; they stayed ‘separated’ until his death.
Returning to the subject of divorce among film celebrities being relatively uncommon at the time, this is further illustrated by other instances. In May 1973, poet, lyricist, filmmaker, and Jnanpith Award recipient Gulzar married Raakhee—often called the Bengal tigress—who was then at the peak of her acting career in the 1970s. Just a few years after their wedding and the birth of their daughter, filmmaker Meghna Gulzar, the high-profile couple went their separate ways.
While the light-eyed Raakhee returned to her own residence in Santacruz, Gulzar remained at his famed bungalow, Boskyana, on Pali Hill in Bandra, Mumbai. Yet, despite living apart for nearly fifty years, the two never divorced. In fact, if you were to visit Boskyana today, you might be pleasantly surprised to be welcomed by Raakhee herself, who still oversees the day-to-day affairs of her now-octogenarian husband.
Rumours say that when Gulzar saab was indisposed a few months ago, Raakhee surprised visitors and doctors by being present to give and gather his health updates.
“Will never marry another woman after Babita”: Randhir Kapoor
Filmmaker and actor Randhir Kapoor wed his frequent co-star Babita Kapoor in 1971. However, they went on to live apart for almost forty years. He stayed at his family residence in Deonar, while she lived in Khar with their two daughters, Karisma Kapoor and Kareena Kapoor.
When questioned about his separation from Babita, Randhir Kapoor stated, “Babita and I will never divorce. Neither of us wants to remarry or have children outside our marriage. We adore our daughters and grandchildren, so what purpose would a divorce serve?”
For the past five years, Randhir Kapoor and Babita have been living together again in their Bandra home. The actor has been in fragile health, and Babita, supported by a team of staff, has been closely overseeing his care. Several members of Bandra’s Otters Club who call on Kapoor also meet Babita, who clearly runs the Kapoor household. A few of them, requesting anonymity, have said, “It’s heartening to see Dabboo saab being looked after. Babitaji’s presence is comforting.” This arrangement also reflects the wishes of their daughters, Karisma and Kareena, who frequently visit their parents with their children.