Kamal Ghorui
After the Bombay High Court dismissed her plea seeking recognition of her relationship “in the nature of marriage” with Rajesh Khanna, Anita Advani has now spoken out, making it clear that she is not ready to back down.On April 1, 2026, the Bombay High Court dismissed Anita Advani’s appeal seeking to recognise her live-in relationship with the late actor as a valid marriage. The court observed that the relationship held the “character of a live-in relationship,” which did not satisfy the tests for a valid marriage under the Hindu Marriage Act.Anita had claimed that she was in a live-in relationship with Rajesh Khanna for nearly a decade (approximately 2002–2012) and alleged that a private marriage ceremony had taken place. This claim, however, was contested by the actor’s family, including Dimple Kapadia and Twinkle Khanna.In a recent conversation with Vickey Lalwani, Anita addressed the verdict, her legal stance, and the emotional toll of the long battle.
‘It’s not my perception—it’s the law’
Clarifying her claim, Anita said, “I had asked for being a wife in the nature of marriage, not a marriage. So there is a difference.”She further explained, “In the DV (Domestic Violence) Act, it’s at par with a wife. You don’t need to be married in that sense. If two adults live together like man and wife, then they are in a relationship in the nature of marriage—which needs to be tried, which needs to be shown.”
‘After 14 years, I didn’t even get a trial’
Expressing disappointment over the ruling, she said, “After 14 years, I don’t even get to show that my relationship was so and so. How can a civil matter be decided without a trial? That is a travesty of justice.”When asked about her next move, Anita said, “I’m seeing… I’m thinking.” But she remained firm in her resolve, adding, “No, I am not tired. I will never get tired. I am not from the tribe of cowards or spineless people.”‘Settlement was suggested, but nothing happened’Opening up about past negotiations, Anita revealed, “Their lawyer told my lawyer, ‘Let’s settle.’ I don’t know what they wanted to give. Initially, I was not in the mood, later I agreed a little—but nothing happened.”
‘We lived like husband and wife’
Speaking about her relationship with Rajesh Khanna, she maintained, “We were like husband and wife. There is nothing to hide—it was a personal matter. I was comfortable, and he was very comfortable.”She also reiterated her claim of a private ceremony, saying, “He applied sindoor and gave me a mangalsutra… we had a small private ceremony.”Addressing questions about intent, Anita said, “I come from a family of givers, not takers. I was with him because I loved him—not because he was a superstar or had money.”She added, “I knew marriage couldn’t happen. The demands from the family were too much.”
‘I want dignity, not anything else’
Despite stating she is financially stable, Anita stressed that her fight is about respect.“I don’t have the life I had. I want dignity. And the misbehaviour with me… it was very painful,” she said.Recounting her experience, she added, “They didn’t let me meet him in the hospital. They said he didn’t want to see me… so many lies were told.”
‘Staying silent is a crime’
Making it clear why she continues the battle, Anita said, “Staying silent against injustice is a crime. If I cannot speak for myself, who will I speak for?”She also claimed, “He had made a will, but it went missing. I don’t know how.”Reflecting on how Rajesh Khanna might have reacted today, Anita said, “I’m sure he would feel that I did a lot for him… that I sacrificed my life. He would feel bad.”
