Journalism of Courage
Dimple Kapadia has turned 64. After being discovered at the age of 14 by filmmaker Raj Kapoor, the actor went on to become one of the most prolific performers of her generation. Dimple has been able to keep up with the changing landscape of Hindi cinema, adapting neatly from one generation to the other, from one format to the other. Here's looking back at the actor's on and off screen journey. (Photo: Express Archive)
Dimple Kapadia won over the audience with her debut film Bobby in 1973. Paired opposite Rishi Kapoor, in his first leading role, Dimple charmed cine-goers with her performance. The actor saw overnight success, and at the age of 16, a star was born. (Photo: Express Archive)
Six months before the release of Bobby, Dimple Kapadia married the then superstar, Rajesh Khanna. In what came as a surprise to her fans, Dimple quit acting following her marriage and remained away from the screen for more than a decade. (Photo: Express Archive)
Dimple's marriage with Rajesh Khanna—who was 15 years elder to her—hit a rough patch and she separated from the superstar in 1982. She was then a mother of two daughters. Twinkle Khanna and Rinke Khanna. (Photo: Express Archive)
In 1984, Dimple Kapadia returned to the screen with a string of films, including Zakhmi Sher and Manzil Manzil. The movies did little to revive her career, and even the follow-up films, Aitbaar and Arjun in 1985, were not of any help. And then Dimple experienced a career turnaround. (Photo: Express Archive)
Dimple Kapadia made a smashing comeback in Ramesh Sippy's 1985 romantic drama Saagar. The film reunited her with Rishi Kapoor and went on to become a blockbuster. As Mona, a girl torn between her friend and the man she is on love with, Dimple had once again impressed the audience, almost as if making up for the long gap on screen. (Photo: Express Archive)
While her early works cashed in on her beauty, Dimple Kapadia started drifting towards parallel cinema by the late 80s and early 90s, choosing films and roles which went beyond the song and dance routine. This phase marked yet another turning point for Dimple. (Photo: Express Archive)
Dimple Kapadia garnered tremendous acclaim for her performances in films like Mahesh Bhatt's Kaash (1987), Govind Nihalani's Drishti (1990) and Gulzar's drama Lekin... (1991). (Photo: Express Archive)
Dimple Kapadia bagged her maiden National Award for her performance in Kalpana Lajmi's Rudaali (1993). In the film, Dimple played a professional mourner. The same year, the actor was lauded for her stellar performance in Priyadarshan-directed Gardish. The 1990s saw Dimple featuring in one strong role after the other and garnering awards from all quarters. (Photo: Express Archive)
After her Mrinal Sen-directed film Antareen in 1993, Dimple Kapadia took a three-year-long break from movies. She returned to screen with Amitabh Bachchan-starrer 1997 film Mrityudaata, which failed to impress the audience. The movies that followed also received a negative response from both the audience and critics. (Photo: Express Archive)
Dimple Kapadia's career turned around in 2001 with Farhan Akhtar-directorial Dil Chahta Hai. Dimple played a lonely, single mother whose younger neighbour (Akshaye Khanna) falls in love with her. In 2006, came Being Cyrus with Naseeruddin Shah and Saif Ali Khan. The film was much appreciated. Dimple's turn as a yesteryear actress trying to make everything perfect for her debutante daughter in Zoya Akhtar's Luck By Chance (2009) also earned acclaim. (Photo: Express Archive)
The 2000s saw Dimple Kapadia becoming more selective about her work, hence making limited screen appearances. Her last few films include the Irrfan-starrer Angrezi Medium and Hollywood director Christopher Nolan's Tenet, which marked her first international appearance. She was last seen in Amazon Prime Video 2021 series Tandav. (Photo: Express Archive)
