By Milind Dharmasena
New Delhi Chronicle
As Anju Mahendru turns 80 today, Hindi cinema pauses to remember a woman whose beauty was effortless, whose presence was magnetic, and whose life mirrored the complexities of the industry she inhabited during its most romantic and tumultuous years.
Anju Mahendru belonged to a generation where glamour was understated and grace spoke louder than dialogue. With her striking eyes, delicate features, and quiet confidence, she became an instantly recognisable face of late-1960s and 1970s Bollywood. Whether in supporting roles or memorable appearances, she brought a modern sensibility to an era still rooted in tradition.
A Muse in the Age of Rajesh Khanna
No reflection on Anju Mahendru’s life is complete without acknowledging her long and deeply discussed relationship with Rajesh Khanna—India’s first true superstar. At the peak of his rise, when fame bordered on frenzy, Mahendru was not merely a companion but a steady emotional anchor.
Industry accounts and Mahendru’s own candid reflections over the years have highlighted how she stood by Khanna during his formative stardom, offering stability when adulation threatened to overwhelm reason. Their relationship, though it did not culminate in marriage, remains one of Bollywood’s most talked-about romances—less for scandal, more for its emotional intensity and eventual heartbreak.
Mahendru has spoken with maturity and honesty about that chapter, never resorting to bitterness, instead acknowledging it as a defining phase that shaped her understanding of love, loss, and self-worth.
A Life Beyond Headlines
Unlike many of her contemporaries, Anju Mahendru chose not to chase relentless limelight. Her career spanned films, television, and theatre, but she never allowed professional success—or personal relationships—to define her entirely.
She remained fiercely independent, choosing dignity over drama, and privacy over publicity. In later years, she re-emerged on television, winning a new generation of admirers with her poise and articulate candour, proving that relevance need not be loud to be lasting.
Timeless Beauty, Enduring Strength
Even at 80, Anju Mahendru embodies a rare elegance—one that comes from lived experience rather than cosmetic perfection. Her beauty was never just visual; it lay in her self-awareness, her refusal to be boxed into stereotypes, and her courage to walk away when life demanded it.
In an industry that often forgets its women once youth fades, Mahendru’s story stands as a reminder that grace, resilience, and honesty age far better than fame.
As Hindi cinema celebrates its past and looks to its future, Anju Mahendru remains a quiet but essential chapter—a woman who loved deeply, lived truthfully, and left an indelible imprint on Bollywood’s golden era.
On her 80th birthday, we salute not just the actress, but the woman behind the legend.
