Meet actress who married at 16, became mother at 17, divorced before 30, debuted film was superhit, worked in Hollywood, her name is…
Before she was an on-screen diva, she was a teen bride. Before the applause, there was silence. And before Tenet, there was Bobby. Dimple Kapadia’s life didn’t follow the rules of the script; it tore them up and wrote a new one, frame by frame.
Dimple Kapadia, the bold debutante of Bobby (1973), entered the industry at just 16 and unknowingly became a walking paradox: a superstar, a teen bride, a mother at 17, and a divorcee before she turned 30. But her story didn’t follow the usual fading-into-oblivion arc.
Instead, she rewrote the rules, both for herself and the generations of actresses who followed.
Why did she walk away at her peak?
Soon after her debut, Dimple married superstar Rajesh Khanna. Their marriage was the talk of the town, but behind closed doors, cracks began to show. Rumours swirled, from career restrictions to pressure for a male heir.
As Dimple once revealed, “He wanted me to stop working.” She eventually left the marriage, becoming a single mother of two daughters by the age of 25.
When did the comeback happen?
After a 12-year break, Dimple returned to the silver screen with Sagar in 1985. Not only did she reclaim her stardom, but she also picked up prestigious awards, including a National Award for Rudaali and multiple Filmfare Awards. Her performances had matured — raw, complex, and unforgettable.
Did she break beyond Bollywood?
Absolutely. Dimple stunned global audiences when she starred in Christopher Nolan’s Tenet in 2020. She had already tested international waters with Leela in 2006, showing she was always one step ahead of the curve.
Even today, Dimple Kapadia is unstoppable. In recent years, she’s wowed audiences in Pathaan, Tu Jhoothi Main Makkar, Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya, Saas Bahu Aur Flamingo, and Murder Mubarak.
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