Veteran actress, Rakhee Majumdar, popularly known by her first name, needs no introduction in the field of acting. She has been part of several films and etched a special place in millions of hearts of her fans. Coming to her personal life, Rakhee tied the knot twice. Initially, she was married to a journalist turned Bengali film director, Ajay Biswas when she was a teenager. However, Rakhee's marriage was short-lived, and she parted ways with Ajay in 1965.
Afterwards, the hazel-eyed actress gave love another chance when she fell for legendary writer-lyricist, Sampooran Singh Kalra, popularly known by his pet name, Gulzar. It was on May 15, 1973, when the couple got hitched in a gala wedding ceremony. From Dilip Kumar and his wife, Saira Banu, to many other legendary stars of the film industry, had graced Rakhee and Gulzar's wedding.
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In December 1973, Rakhee and Gulzar welcomed their first child, Meghna Gulzar. One year after Meghna’s birth, the couple decided to part ways due to one of the patriarchal conditions levied by the lyricist. It all started when Gulzar kept one patriarchal prenup clause before Rakhee. According to reports, since he was old-school in his mind, he demanded that she quit acting post-marriage. According to Gulzar, a woman cannot step out to work after she becomes a wife.
Unfortunately, Rakhee also agreed to this with the hope that she would be given a chance to follow her passion in at least the movies produced by her husband. Hence, Rakhee kept rejecting all opportunities that came knocking on her doors. She refused all the filmmakers, who even qued in front of her house with film offers. All this were in the hope that her husband, Gulzar, would at least "allow" her to work in his movies. However, her hopes went in vain when Gulzar cast other actresses for his directorials but not her.
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The loving wife, Rakhee was also okay with that, hoping that one day she would get the chance until one fateful night that changed everything between Rakhee and Gulzar. It was during the shooting of Gulzar's directorial, Aandhi, when Rakhee accompanied her husband to Kashmir. One night post-pack-up, when the crew was having a get-together, the lead actor of the film, Sanjeev Kumar reportedly got drunk and tried to hold the actress, Suchitra Sen's arm to prevent her from retiring for the day. Thus, Suchitra became furious, and Gulzar had to intervene to free her from Sanjeev.
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Everything was okay until then, but Gulzar took another step and escorted Suchitra to her hotel, disappointing his wife. Rakhee did not like it and questioned Gulzar about it when he returned after leaving Suchitra in her hotel premises. The actress also quizzed Gulzar about the need to show extra concern for Suchritra. Rakhee's question irked Gulzar who hit her, leaving her in trauma.
The following day, Yash Chopra came to Kashmir and offered Rakhee the film, Kabhie Kabhie. Rakhee then made a firm decision and signed the film despite her husband's opposition. Hence, Kabhie Kabhie marked the second inning of Rakhee's career, and she eventually got separated from Gulzar. Despite getting separated, Rakhee is still not divorced from Gulzar. This was because their daughter, Meghna, couldn't accept her parents parting ways.
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Although Meghna became the reason for Rakhee and Gulzar not undergoing divorce on paper even to this day, but the couple have been living separately since then. Now, both of them have let the bygones be bygones and share a cordial bond with each other. In an interview with Stardust, Raakhee even mentioned that she and Gulzar are the 'best-split couple' and shared:
“We deserve an award for the best split couple. We are more well-adjusted than most married couples. Gulzar and I are there for each other. He treats me as if I were still his wife. He calls me from his house and tells me, ‘I’ve called four friends for dinner. There’s no food at home. So please, quickly send some jhinga curry.’ I send it across.”
In the same conversation, Raakhee also revealed how Gulzar used the private moments from their marriage in his films. Moreover, Rakhee mentioned how they discuss one another's work. She stated:
“Through these years as I watch his films, I notice that he has used the private moments of our marriage for his scenes and characters. He captures the situation exactly as it happened. Only he knows and I know. When we were married, we use to sit in bed after dinner and he would read his stories to me and I would translate my Bengali stories to him. I would sit alongside as he wrote late into the night. Two of those stories he made into his films: Parichay and Khushboo. He called me up the other day and told me, ‘I believe your Ram Lakhan is a big hit. People who’ve seen the film say that without Raakhee there would be less impact’. I thanked him and told him to see the film himself.”
What do you think about Raakhee's firm decision to get separated from her patriarchal mindset husband, Gulzar, to follow her passion? Let us know!
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