Anita Advani first met Bollywood’s first superstar, Rajesh Khanna, when she was just a teenager, while he was already an established icon. In a recent interview, she reflected on their journey together, describing his deep attachment to her and the challenges of their relationship. While Rajesh never openly expressed his feelings, Anita believed his actions spoke louder than words. In a conversation with Mid-Day, Anita recounted their first encounter, which happened through a family connection. She was visiting a film set with a friend’s uncle when they missed meeting Rajesh at work, leading them to visit his house instead. She was struck by his presence, but an intense gaze from him left her overwhelmed. “He asked, ‘Acha, do you want to see the shoot?’ Then he looked and checked me through. I got so nervous, my heartbeat was running amok, and I didn’t know what to do. Nevertheless, he abruptly turned. That imprint is still on my mind. I can still visualize it,” she shared. Though their romantic relationship began much later, they stayed in touch for years before becoming deeply involved. Anita described Rajesh as a deeply romantic man, though not in a conventional sense. He was not one to constantly declare his love, but he demonstrated it through everyday gestures. “He wasn’t very vocal, but his actions could speak volumes,” she explained. When asked how he expressed his love, she revealed, “He would make tea and clean the washroom. He wouldn’t say ‘I love you’ all the time. He wasn’t that type. But I could make out that he couldn’t live without me. Like if I went out, he would call me 20 times.” However, his possessiveness led to conflicts. Anita recalled a time when she opened a café, which Rajesh strongly disapproved of. “He created havoc,” she admitted. When asked if she had to shut it down because of him, she simply nodded. While their bond was strong, it was not without its struggles. In an older interview with Rediff, Anita revealed that Rajesh was a challenging person to live with, especially after drinking. “He was a difficult man to live with. After a drink or two, he could be rude. You had to really know his moves and manage him. I learned to deal with him. Earlier, I would fight and argue with him. But he made me understand. He told me, ‘Even if I am wrong, just keep quiet,’” she recalled. Despite the ups and downs, their relationship remained a significant part of her life. Rajesh Khanna passed away in 2012 at the age of 69. Despite separating a decade after their 1973 marriage, he remained legally married to actress Dimple Kapadia. The couple had two daughters, Twinkle and Rinke Khanna. While Anita’s revelations shed light on the lesser-known aspects of his personal life, Rajesh Khanna continues to be remembered as Bollywood’s first superstar, whose charm and legacy remain unmatched.