After the Bombay High Court rejected her plea seeking recognition of her relationship “in the nature of marriage”. Rajesh KhannaAnita 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 to have her relationship with the late actress recognized as a valid marriage. The court found that the relationship was “in the nature of a live-in relationship”, which did not meet the tests for a valid marriage under the Hindu Marriage Act.Anita claimed that she was in a live-in relationship with Rajesh Khanna for almost a decade (approximately 2002-2012) and alleged that a private marriage ceremony took place. This claim, however, was disputed by the actor’s family, among others Dimple Kapadia and Twinkle Khanna.In a recent interview with Vickey Lalwani, Anita discussed the verdict, her legal stance and the emotional impact of the long battle.
“It’s not my perception, it’s the law”
Clarifying her claim, Anita said, “I asked to be a wife in the nature of marriage, not marriage. So there is a difference.”He further explained: “In the DV (Domestic Violence) Act, it is equal to a wife. You don’t have to be married in that sense. If two adults live together as man and wife, then they have a relationship in the nature of marriage, that has to be judged, and that has to be shown.”
“After 14 years, I didn’t even make a trial”
He expressed disappointment at the verdict: “After 14 years, I have not even managed to show that my relationship was such. How can a civil case be decided without a trial? That is a travesty of justice.”When asked about her next move, Anita said, “I’m seeing it…I’m thinking about it.” But he remained steadfast in his resolve, adding, “No, I am not tired. I will never be tired. I am not of the tribe of cowards or spineless people.”“A fix was suggested, but nothing happened”Opening up about past negotiations, Anita revealed: “Their lawyer said to my lawyer, ‘Let’s settle’. I don’t know what they wanted to give. At first, I wasn’t keen, then I agreed a bit, but nothing happened.”
“We lived as husband and wife”
Talking about her relationship with Rajesh Khanna, she said, “We were like husband and wife. There is nothing to hide, it was a personal matter. I was comfortable, and he was very pleased.”She also reiterated her claim of a private ceremony, “she applied sindoor and gave me a mangalsutra… we had a small private ceremony.”Answering questions about her intentions, 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 because he had money.”She added: “I knew the wedding couldn’t happen. The demands of the family were too much.’
“I want dignity, nothing else”
Despite stating that she is financially stable, Anita insists that her fight is for respect.“I don’t have the life I used to have. I want dignity. And the way he treated me… it was very hurtful,” she said.Recounting her experience, she added: “They didn’t let me meet them in the hospital. They said they didn’t want to see me… so many lies.”
“Staying silent is a crime”
Explaining why she continues to fight, Anita said, “Staying silent against injustice is a crime. If I can’t speak for myself, who will I speak for?”He also said, “He made a will, but it disappeared. I don’t know how.”Reflecting on how Rajesh Khanna might react today, Anita said, “I am sure he would feel that I did a lot for him… that I sacrificed my life. He would feel bad.”
