Dimple Kapadia
Dimple Kapadia is an Indian actor, best known for Tamil cinema. Dimple Kapadia began their career in 1982 and has been a prominent figure in the industry for over 44 years. With 30 credits to their name, Dimple Kapadia remains one of the most prolific and celebrated talents in the industry. Spanning 40+ years, Dimple Kapadia's career remains one of the longest and most celebrated in Tamil cinema.
- Born
Biography
Dimple Chunnibhai Kapadia is an Indian film actress. Kapadia made her acting debut at the age of 16, playing the title role in Raj Kapoor's teen romance Bobby (1973). In that same year she married Indian actor Rajesh Khanna. She is the mother of Twinkle Khanna and Rinke Khanna, both former actresses. Kapadia returned to the film industry in 1984 after her separation from Khanna. One of her films of that period was the drama Saagar (1985). Both Bobby and Saagar won her the Filmfare Award for Best Actress. She went on to establish herself as one of the leading actresses of Hindi cinema in the 1980s.\r\n\r\nKapadia continued working infrequently through the 1990s and the 2000s. She played a minor part in Dil Chahta Hai (2001) and was noted for her portrayal of the title role in the American production Leela (2002). Some of her later film credits include leading roles in Hum Kaun Hai? (2004), Pyaar Mein Twist (2005), Phir Kabhi (2008) and Tum Milo Toh Sahi (2010), and supporting roles in Being Cyrus (2005), Luck by Chance (2009), Dabangg (2010), Cocktail (2012) and Finding Fanny (2014).
Personal Info
Career Milestones
Film debut
View film →Highest rated: Jai Shiv Shankar (10.0)
View film →50th film
View film →Iconic Roles
Bobby
Her debut role as a teenage girl from a wealthy family who falls in love with a boy from a different social background.
Rudaali
A professional mourner in rural Rajasthan, a role for which she won the National Film Award for Best Actress.
Dil Chahta Hai
An older, divorced woman with whom a younger man becomes infatuated, showcasing her nuanced performance in a modern ensemble film.
Defining Moments
Debut and Instant Stardom
Her debut film 'Bobby' became a massive blockbuster, making her an overnight teenage sensation and defining the 'Bobby' trend in Indian fashion and cinema.
Critical Acclaim
Won the National Film Award for Best Actress for her powerful performance as a professional mourner in 'Rudaali', cementing her status as a serious dramatic actress.
Hollywood Breakthrough
Cast in a pivotal role in Christopher Nolan's big-budget, time-bending espionage film 'Tenet', marking a significant international crossover.
Filmography
See all 30 credits →
Career Analytics
Genre Breakdown
Language Distribution
Films by Decade
Top Co-Actors
See all →
Did You Know?
Dimple Kapadia made her acting debut at age 16 in Raj Kapoor's 1973 film 'Bobby', playing the title role.
She married superstar Rajesh Khanna in 1973, shortly after the release of 'Bobby', and temporarily retired from films.
She returned to acting in 1984 after a separation from Rajesh Khanna, starring in the film 'Saagar'.
She won the National Film Award for Best Actress for her performance in 'Rudaali' (1993).
She is the mother of former actress and author Twinkle Khanna and former actress Rinke Khanna.
Family
Spouse
Rajesh Khanna
Child
Twinkle Khanna
Legacy & Influence
Dimple Kapadia's legacy in Indian cinema is defined by a remarkable career of reinvention and resilience, spanning over five decades. Her debut as the effervescent Bobby Braganza in Raj Kapoor's 1973 blockbuster 'Bobby' was a cultural phenomenon, establishing the archetype of the modern, rebellious teenage heroine and making her an instant superstar. Following an early marriage and hiatus, her return to films in the 1980s marked a significant shift. She consciously moved away from conventional glamour roles, seeking out complex, performance-driven characters that showcased her depth as an actor. This second act cemented her reputation as a serious and versatile performer. Her portrayal of Shanichari, a professional mourner in Kalpana Lajmi's 'Rudaali' (1993), is considered a career-defining masterpiece. The raw, nuanced performance earned her the National Film Award for Best Actress and international acclaim at the Cannes Film Festival, highlighting her ability to embody profound grief and resilience. Kapadia continued to defy typecasting, delivering powerful performances in diverse genres, from the gritty realism of 'Lekin...' (1990) to the sophisticated melancholy of Tara in Farhan Akhtar's seminal 'Dil Chahta Hai' (2001), which introduced her to a new generation of audiences. In her later career, she has embraced bold, unconventional roles in films like 'Being Cyrus' (2005), 'Cocktail' (2012), 'Finding Fanny' (2014), and Christopher Nolan's 'Tenet' (2020), consistently choosing parts that challenge norms and showcase her formidable screen presence. Her journey from a teenage icon to a respected character actor illustrates a rare trajectory in Indian cinema, paving the way for actresses to have enduring, evolving careers beyond traditional lead roles. Kapadia's contribution lies in her fearless choice of roles, her naturalistic acting style that brought authenticity to her characters, and her sustained relevance across generations, making her one of the most significant and influential actresses in the history of Hindi film.