Twinkle Khanna shares a multifaceted bond with her iconic father, Rajesh Khanna. Growing up, she and her sister Rinke moved out when their mother, Dimple Kapadia, chose to end her marriage. While Dimple primarily raised them, Rajesh supported Twinkle’s foray into Bollywood, despite their tumultuous relationship.
After his passing in 2012, Twinkle showed her loyalty by defending him publicly, especially after Naseeruddin Shah criticized her father. Their connection, marked by challenges and love, reflects a deep complexity that Twinkle continues to navigate.
Reacting to his comments, she had written on X (formerly Twitter), “Sir if u can’t respect the living, respect the dead – mediocrity is attacking a man who can’t respond @NaseerudinShah.”
In a 2016 interview with Hindustan Times, Naseeruddin expressed strong criticism of Rajesh Khanna, claiming that the 1970s marked the start of mediocrity in Hindi cinema with Khanna’s rise. He described Khanna as a limited and poor actor, suggesting that he lacked intellectual sharpness and that his tastes significantly influenced the industry during that times, you can check the full article .
Shah isn’t alone in his criticisms of Rajesh Khanna; several industry figures have commented on Khanna’s perceived arrogance and insecurity. In a conversation with Amitabh Bachchan for Movie magazine, Khanna revealed that he took pleasure in celebrating Bachchan’s career missteps. This rivalry stemmed from the fact that Bachchan was often viewed as Khanna’s successor at the top of the Hindi film industry.
Dimple Kapadia and Rajesh Khanna were once Bollywood’s most celebrated couple, marrying in 1973 when Dimple was just 15 and Khanna was already a superstar. Their initial happiness was overshadowed by challenges, leading to a highly publicized separation in 1982, even though they never officially divorced. Dimple continued to thrive in her film career, while Khanna remained a prominent figure in the industry until his passing in 2012.