‘70s star warned his friend against marrying the then #1 star: ‘You won’t have a happy life…’

Rajesh Khanna and actress Anju Mahendru once shared a passionate yet turbulent relationship that captivated the film industry. Despite their strong emotional connection, their love story did not culminate in marriage. Anju’s close friend, veteran actor Sanjeev Kumar, had expressed serious reservations about her tying the knot with Khanna. Kumar reportedly believed that the superstar’s volatile temperament and suspicious nature would make life difficult for any partner.

Sanjeev Kumar’s Warning

According to Hanif Zaveri, who authored Sanjeev Kumar’s biography, the late actor had cautioned Anju long before her relationship with Rajesh ended. Zaveri shared that Anju herself admitted how Sanjeev had warned her that Khanna’s insecurity and mistrust could doom their bond. His exact warning, as recalled by Zaveri, was that Khanna was too suspicious and that no woman could lead a peaceful life with him. Ironically, Khanna later grew convinced that Anju and Sanjeev shared a romantic connection, which further strained his friendship with the actor and his relationship with Anju.

Anju’s Reflections on Their Relationship

Years later, in a candid conversation with SCREEN magazine in 1987, Anju spoke openly about the emotional rollercoaster she endured while dating Rajesh Khanna. She described him as deeply traditional in his mindset, yet drawn to modern, independent women—a contradiction that often caused conflict. She recalled how her choice of attire would become a trigger for his disapproval. When she wore skirts, he would urge her to appear more traditional, and when she chose sarees, he accused her of trying to portray herself as overly conservative.

A Painful Goodbye

After nearly seven years together, the couple finally separated. Soon after, in 1973, Rajesh Khanna married 16-year-old Dimple Kapadia. In what many described as a dramatic gesture, his wedding procession reportedly passed by Anju Mahendru’s residence — a symbolic act signaling closure. The legendary actor passed away in 2012, leaving behind a legacy of cinematic brilliance and complex relationships.