Who Is Anita Advani? The Woman Who Says She Was Rajesh Khanna’s Second Wife
Over a decade since Rajesh Khanna's passing, Anita Advani has again set tongues wagging by saying she was secretly married to him!
Over a decade since Rajesh Khanna’s passing, Anita Advani has again set tongues wagging by saying she was secretly married to the late actor. Speaking in an interview with Meri Saheli, the retired actress claimed that their romance was more than friendship, it was a secret marriage held out of the public view.
Who Is Anita Advani?
Rajesh Khanna, who married actress Dimple Kapadia in 1973, had already drifted apart from her within a decade, although they never legally divorced. Though he remained legally wedded to Dimple, Anita claims she entered his life much earlier, and eventually cohabited with him between 2004 and his death in 2012.
Anita, an actress in films such as Daasi (1981) and Aao Pyaar Karen (1983), remembered that their wedding was personal and symbolic. She told how Khanna forced her to put on a mangalsutra, smeared sindoor on her forehead, and informed her that she was now his. This, she said, was when they were married.
She also alleged that her relationship with Khanna was so intimate that she performed Karva Chauth fasts for him and took care of his bungalow, Aashirwad. Once he died, Anita’s status in his life turned out to be controversial, especially when she lodged legal cases claiming status as his partner. She claimed that she was driven out of his residence and even filed complaints against Dimple Kapadia, daughters Twinkle and Rinke, and son-in-law Akshay Kumar, with conspiracy and forgery charges against them regarding Khanna’s will.
The family, however, refuted her claims and distanced themselves from her. Anita claimed she was not allowed to attend Khanna’s funeral, calling it one of the most agonising experiences of her life.
Also Read: “Makes Me Cringe,” Zeenat Aman Critiques Her 1977 Film Chhailla Babu With Rajesh Khanna
Legally, Anita’s marriage claim is also full of complexities. According to the Hindu Marriage Act, a man can’t remarry if his first wife is alive unless divorced. As Khanna and Dimple were separated, any second marriage would not be considered legal and can be counted as an offence.
First Published: August 20, 2025 2:55 PM
