Bombay High Court Dismisses Anita Advani's Petition for Legal Recognition of Relationship with Rajesh Khanna
The Bombay High Court has ruled against actress Anita Advani's petition to legally recognize her relationship with the late Bollywood icon Rajesh Khanna as a marriage. This decision follows a series of legal disputes involving Khanna's estranged wife and family. Advani had claimed a long-term relationship with Khanna, alleging they had secretly married. The court's ruling comes after previous legal actions, including a domestic violence complaint filed by Advani against Khanna's family. This case highlights the complexities surrounding personal relationships and legal recognition in the realm of celebrity culture.
| Apr 2, 2026, 02:05 IST
Court Ruling on Relationship Recognition
The Bombay High Court rejected actress Anita Advani's petition on Wednesday, which sought to challenge a lower court's decision that dismissed her request for legal recognition of her relationship with the late Bollywood superstar Rajesh Khanna as a marriage. Justice Sharmila Deshmukh's bench delivered the verdict after hearing arguments from both sides, including Advani and Khanna's estranged wife Dimple Kapadia, their daughter Twinkle Khanna, and son-in-law Akshay Kumar. The court ruled that the appeal was denied.
Background of the Case
Advani, who had a close relationship with Khanna during his final years, approached the High Court after a civil court dismissed her petition on technical grounds in 2017. In her plea, she sought a declaration that her relationship with Khanna was equivalent to a legal marriage.
Legal Complications and Allegations
Despite their separation, Kapadia remained Khanna's legally wedded wife, as they never formally divorced. Following Khanna's death in 2012, Advani publicly claimed that they had a long-term relationship and alleged that they had secretly married, stating that Khanna had applied sindoor on her. She also accused Khanna's family of neglecting her during his final days and excluding her from the funeral.
Previous Legal Actions
This controversy led to prior legal actions, where Advani filed a domestic violence complaint against Kapadia, Twinkle Khanna, and Akshay Kumar in Bandra Magistrate Court, alleging she was forcibly removed from Khanna's residence. In 2015, the Bombay High Court dismissed the domestic violence case against her.
Conclusion of the Court's Decision
With this ruling, Advani's attempt to gain legal recognition of her marital relationship with the late actor has been dismissed by the court until further detailed arguments are presented. Anita Advani is a former actress known for her roles in films such as 'Daasi', 'Aao Pyaar Karen', and 'Saazish'. Rajesh Khanna was a legendary Indian actor and the first superstar of Bollywood, dominating Hindi cinema with a series of hit films and a massive fan following during the late 1960s and 1970s. He passed away in July 2012 in Mumbai after a prolonged illness.