Rajesh Khanna's alleged second wife, Anita Advani, claims she was prevented from taking part in his last rites: 'There were bouncers...'

Rajesh Khanna, remembered fondly as India’s first true superstar, reigned over the silver screen during the 1960s and 1970s. Married to actress Dimple Kapadia, he became a household name not only for his films but also for his charismatic persona. Even after his passing on July 18, 2012, at the age of 69, Khanna, often addressed as Kaka, continues to command immense admiration. His cinematic presence still shines brightly in the memories of his fans, ensuring that his name remains etched as one of the most influential figures in Hindi cinema.

Anita Advani’s Painful Revelation

Although Khanna’s career and personal life drew immense public attention, it is his association with Anita Advani that resurfaces time and again. In a recent appearance on the Meri Saheli podcast, Anita disclosed details about how she was excluded from participating in Khanna’s final rites. According to her, despite being closely connected to the actor, she was stopped from entering during the rituals and found herself on the outside while many others paid their respects.

Anita explained that on the day of the Chautha ceremony—traditionally held on the fourth day after a person’s passing—she was discouraged from attending. She claimed her friends and staff urged her to be present and assured her of their support, yet when she attempted to attend, she was informed that security personnel were deployed to keep her away. Anita said she was heartbroken to learn from her friends that bouncers were instructed to block her entry, leaving her unable to offer her final farewell to Khanna.

“They had bouncers stationed there to stop me from coming in; I learned this from friends. When I said I would go, I was warned that I would not be allowed inside," she revealed.

Exclusion from the Final Goodbye

In the same interview, Anita shared her deep shock at being denied access to Khanna’s final ceremonies. While fans, relatives, and figures from the film industry gathered to pay their homage, she was prevented from even catching a last glimpse of the actor she claimed to have lived with. According to Anita, this exclusion felt especially painful since she considered herself part of his life. She maintained that she had shared a bond with Khanna that went beyond companionship, and yet, in his last moments of remembrance, she was not given the opportunity to say goodbye.

Anita Advani’s Career and Public Presence

Anita Advani was once a part of the film industry, having appeared in movies such as Daasi (1981), Aao Pyaar Karen (1983), and Saazish (1988). Though her career as an actress was brief, she resurfaced in the public eye through occasional interviews and later, her stint on the reality show Bigg Boss. Reports also suggest that she is related to Ferdinand Marcos, the former President of the Philippines, as his niece.

Claims of a Secret Marriage

Adding further layers to this already complex narrative, Anita claimed that she and Rajesh Khanna were secretly married. As reported in her interview, she insisted that their marriage took place privately at their home. According to her, a small temple in their house served as the venue, where Khanna placed a gold and black-beaded mangalsutra around her neck and applied sindoor on her forehead, declaring her as his life partner. Anita emphasized that in the film industry, such personal matters were rarely spoken of openly, which is why they never felt compelled to announce the marriage publicly.