Rishi Kapoor once expressed a strong dislike for Bollywood superstar Rajesh Khanna. In a revealing interview, Rishi shared that his feelings stemmed from Rajesh’s marriage to Dimple Kapadia, who was Rishi’s first co-star. Although he clarified that he never had romantic feelings for Dimple, he admitted to feeling possessive about her.
In a conversation with journalist Barkha Dutt on NDTV, Rishi discussed his past resentment towards Rajesh Khanna. Barkha recounted a story where Rishi’s then-girlfriend, Yasmin, received a ring from him. Dimple Kapadia later wore this ring, and when Rajesh, who had just proposed to Dimple, saw it, he became upset and threw it away. Barkha suggested that this incident might have sparked Rishi’s bitterness toward Khanna.
In his explanation, Rishi reflected on his feelings towards Rajesh, noting that his dislike stemmed from the fact that Khanna married Dimple, Rishi’s first co-star, at a time when he was just starting his career. He clarified that there were no lingering bad feelings, as they had worked together in several films and he even directed Khanna later. Rishi humorously mentioned that Dimple had taken a ring given to him by his girlfriend, which had a peace sign on it. When asked if this incident fueled his dislike for Khanna, he acknowledged that it certainly contributed, as Khanna had taken both his ring and his heroine.
Rishi Kapoor and Dimple Kapadia both gained fame from their roles in the classic film Bobby, released in 1973, which marked their entry into the cinematic world. That same year, Dimple’s marriage to Rajesh Khanna drew considerable media scrutiny, largely due to their significant age gap. Although the couple eventually separated, they never finalized a divorce, remaining prominent figures in Bollywood throughout their lives. This enduring relationship and their individual careers have continued to fascinate fans and the film industry alike.
