Different strokes of Love in Showbiz

February 14, 2024

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Helen became Salim Khan’s second wife and is very close to his first wife and family. Photo: Publicity Photo

Films are a profession wherein intimacy and closeness can develop quite fast due to the working environs, and also because of social or family contact. Not just among stars but also in other departments. On Valentine’s Day, here’s looking at 10 such unions that have resulted from within the film industry in diverse departments.

Boney Kapoor & Sridevi

Boney Kapoor and wife Mona Shourie had fathered two children, (now actor) Arjun Kapoor and Anshula, before he wed Sridevi. From Sridevi also were born two daughters who are actresses today—Janhavi and Khushi Kapoor.

Boney Kapoor with second wife Sridevi, from whom he has two daughters, actresses Janhavi and Khushi Kapoor. Photo: Publicity Photo

Gulzar & Raakhee

The Sikh songwriter-filmmaker-writer and the Bengali actress married in 1973 and separated a few years down the line. Ironically, Gulzar co-wrote two films featuring Raakhee—Baseraa and Rudaali—only much later when Raakhee had become a character artiste. Their daughter, Meghna Gulzar, is a reputed writer-filmmaker today.

Javed Akhtar & Honey Irani / Shabana Azmi

Javed Akhtar married child-turned-character artiste Honey Irani. The writer-lyricist later wed actress Shabana Azmi. And soon, Honey first turned screenwriter (Lamhe) and then director (Armaan in 2003). Honey’s and Javed’s children, Farhan and Zoya Akhtar, are well-known writer-filmmakers today.

Kamal Amrohi & Meena Kumari

Filmmaker-writer Kamal Amrohi fell in love with Meena Kumari, who also grew close to his first wife and their children. Later, their marriage underwent turbulence, and soon Meena’s health too began to fail, but she rose over her troubles to complete his dream and magnum opus, Pakeezah.

R.D. Burman & Asha Bhosle

Asha Bhosle’s first memory of R.D. Burman was as a teenager assisting his father, S.D. Burman. Over time, love blossomed and the two got married. Both had a professionally fruitful association but had gone through traumatic marriages.

Rekha & Chinni Prakash

The choreographer couple of South Indian and Hindi films, whose resume includes Jumma chumma de de from Hum, comprised of Chinni, whose father was a top South choreographer and senior half of the Chinni-Sampath duo. Rekha joined the duo as assistant and soon made her independent debut there, with Chinni doing his first independent film a year later. They soon joined hands in the South and made their Hindi debut in 1987 with Pyar Karke Dekho. “The primary difference between us and the old-school choreographers was that we did not believe only in dance steps. Facial expressions, camera angles and lighting were all important to boost a song along with props,” noted Chinni.

Sachet & Parampara Tandon

The composer duo soon decided to get hitched up a few films and years into their relationship.

Salim Khan & Helen

Here was a unique case: Salim Khan, father to Salman, Arbaaz and Sohail Khan, first played Agony Uncle to a Helen (who acted in their Sholay, Imaan Dharam, Don and Dostana), who was going through severe personal trauma. As he put it, “I respected the lady a lot. When she was in trouble from the mid-‘70s, I helped her by giving her some roles in my films and also as a guide without expecting any pound of flesh. But I am a human being and we became very close. I believed in being responsible to someone and not in mouthing ‘I love you’ meaninglessly. I decided to marry her, knowing that in my religion there was a sanction. Yes, my family did not like it, but my honesty gradually made them understand, starting with my first wife Salma, who was born Sushila Charak. Today, by the grace of Allah, we are all one happy family.”

Sawan Kumar & Usha Khanna

Here was another love story that went wrong, but their mutual admiration and professional association (which had spawned their romance in the first place!) continued. Sawan had written the hit song, Barkha rani (Sabak) in 1973 and then signed her for Hawas, in which Usha scored brilliant music. The list went on all through their personal split—with hits like Ab Kya Hoga, Saajan Bina Suhagan, Saajan Ki Saheli, Souten and others. Usha Khanna’s last film was also with him—Dil Pardesi Ho Gayaa in 2004.

Yash & Pamela Chopra

Strictly speaking, Pamela Chopra was just a housewife originally, though she was the inspiration behind motivating Yash Chopra to move out of BR Films and start out on his own with Daag. She began to be involved in his movies, especially music and soon began to be a singer with Doosara Aadmi and more, even being credited as a part of the writing team (Dil To Pagal Hai) and producing Aaina.

Truly love is all-conquering!