Dimple Kapadia turns 69: Jackie Shroff leads birthday tributes
Synopsis
Jackie Shroff's social media tribute to Dimple Kapadia on her 69th birthday — a collage set to 'Tera Naam Liya' — is a reminder of just how long and layered her career has been: from a teenage debut in 'Bobby' in 1973 to a Hollywood outing in Christopher Nolan's 'Tenet', few actors of her generation have reinvented themselves as many times.
Key Takeaways
Dimple Kapadia turned 69 on 8 June .
Jackie Shroff shared a birthday collage on social media with the caption 'Happiness Always!' , set to the song 'Tera Naam Liya' by Manhar Udhas and Anuradha Paudwal .
Kapadia made her debut in the 1973 blockbuster 'Bobby' opposite Rishi Kapoor , directed by Raj Kapoor .
She staged a celebrated comeback with 'Saagar' in 1985 after stepping away from films following her marriage to Rajesh Khanna .
Her filmography spans five decades, including international projects such as Christopher Nolan's 'Tenet' .
Veteran actor Jackie Shroff took to social media on 8 June to extend heartfelt birthday wishes to actress Dimple Kapadia as she turned 69, sharing a collage of stunning portraits spanning different phases of her life and career.
Jackie Shroff's tribute
Shroff's post featured a carefully curated collage of Kapadia's iconic looks across decades, accompanied by the caption: 'Happiness Always! #HappyBirthday'. Adding a nostalgic layer to the tribute, he set the collage to 'Tera Naam Liya', the beloved song rendered by Manhar Udhas and Anuradha Paudwal — a fitting musical homage to one of Hindi cinema's enduring icons.
A career that defined an era
Dimple Kapadia made her Bollywood debut opposite Rishi Kapoor in the 1973 blockbuster 'Bobby', directed by Raj Kapoor. The film turned her into an overnight sensation and cemented her place as one of the most promising newcomers of that decade. She was just a teenager when she became a household name across India.
Shortly after 'Bobby''s success, Kapadia married superstar Rajesh Khanna. She was 16 at the time; Khanna was 31. She subsequently stepped back from films to raise her daughters, Twinkle Khanna and Rinke Khanna.
The comeback and decades of versatility
After years away from the silver screen, Kapadia staged a remarkable return with the 1985 classic 'Saagar', directed by Ramesh Sippy. The comeback role reaffirmed her standing as a performer of rare range. Over the following decades she delivered acclaimed work in 'Arjun', 'Ram Lakhan', 'Rudaali', 'Krantiveer', 'Dil Chahta Hai', 'Being Cyrus', 'Luck by Chance', 'Finding Fanny', Christopher Nolan's 'Tenet', 'Pathaan', and most recently 'Tu Jhoothi Main Makkaar'.
Personal life and family
Off screen, Kapadia is the mother of author and former actress Twinkle Khanna and actress Rinke Khanna. She is also the mother-in-law of actor Akshay Kumar, who is married to Twinkle. As she marks her 69th birthday, her legacy — spanning five decades of Indian cinema — continues to resonate with audiences and peers alike.
Point of View
A decade-long hiatus, a comeback that critics still cite as one of the 1980s' best, and then a second reinvention that took her to a Christopher Nolan film. Birthday tributes from peers like Jackie Shroff are not mere social media ritual; they reflect a genuine industry reverence for a performer who succeeded on her own terms across radically different eras of Bollywood. The more interesting story is how rarely that full arc gets told in the coverage that reduces her to 'Rajesh Khanna's wife' or 'Twinkle Khanna's mother'.
NationPress
9 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is Dimple Kapadia in 2025?
Dimple Kapadia turned 69 on 8 June 2025. She was born on 8 June 1957 and made her Bollywood debut at the age of 15 in the 1973 film 'Bobby'.
What did Jackie Shroff post for Dimple Kapadia's birthday?
Jackie Shroff shared a photo collage on social media featuring portraits of Dimple Kapadia from various stages of her life and career, captioned 'Happiness Always! #HappyBirthday'. He set the post to the nostalgic song 'Tera Naam Liya' by Manhar Udhas and Anuradha Paudwal.
What was Dimple Kapadia's debut film?
Dimple Kapadia made her Bollywood debut in 'Bobby' (1973), directed by Raj Kapoor, opposite Rishi Kapoor. The film was a blockbuster and instantly established her as one of the biggest new stars of that decade.
Why did Dimple Kapadia take a break from films?
After the success of 'Bobby', Dimple Kapadia married superstar Rajesh Khanna and stepped away from acting to focus on family life and raising her daughters, Twinkle Khanna and Rinke Khanna. She returned to films with 'Saagar' in 1985.
What are some of Dimple Kapadia's most notable films?
Dimple Kapadia's notable films include 'Bobby' (1973), 'Saagar' (1985), 'Rudaali', 'Krantiveer', 'Dil Chahta Hai', 'Finding Fanny', Christopher Nolan's 'Tenet', 'Pathaan', and 'Tu Jhoothi Main Makkaar'. Her career spans over five decades.
