Archive · 13 Aug 2026
Vyjayanthimala's Birth Anniversary: Raj Kapoor Rumours and Bollywood Exit
Vyjayanthimala was a very famous Indian movie star and dancer.
People call her India's first female superstar.
She was born on August 13, 1936, in the city of Madras, which is now called Chennai.
She grew up mostly with her mother and grandmother, and learned classical dance.
She starred in many popular movies like Devdas, Madhumati, and Sangam.
People often shared rumours about a romance between her and filmmaker Raj Kapoor.
She always said those stories were not true.
She later fell in love with her doctor, Dr Chamanlal Bali, who was also a friend of Raj Kapoor.
They married in 1968 and had a son named Suchindra.
After marrying, she stopped making movies but continued dancing Bharatanatyam on stage.
Vyjayanthimala, known as India's first female superstar, was a leading actor and Bharatanatyam dancer of the 1950s and 1960s.
Born on August 13, 1936, in Madras (now Chennai), she was raised largely by her actor mother Vasundhara Devi and her grandmother.
For decades, rumours linked her romantically to Raj Kapoor around the making of their film Sangam, but she consistently denied any relationship.
She married Dr Chamanlal Bali, a physician and close friend of Raj Kapoor, in 1968 after his divorce was finalised.
At the height of her career she stepped away from films after marrying, but continued performing Bharatanatyam on stage; the couple settled in Chennai and had a son, Suchindra.
- Who
- Vyjayanthimala, the first female superstar of Indian cinema, and her husband Dr Chamanlal Bali.
- What
- A retelling of Vyjayanthimala's life and career, including the Raj Kapoor romance rumours, her 1968 marriage to Dr Bali, and her exit from films.
- When
- Born on August 13, 1936; married in 1968; Dr Bali died in 1986; the article marks her birth anniversary.
- Where
- Madras (now Chennai), India, where she was born and where the couple later settled.
- Why
- She stepped away from films at the height of her career to focus on her personal life after marrying Dr Bali.
Vyjayanthimala's Account
Rumours and Family Accounts
Relationship with Raj Kapoor
Vyjayanthimala's Account
Vyjayanthimala consistently rejected claims of a romantic relationship with Raj Kapoor, saying the stories were untrue and that she was unfairly linked to him.
Rumours and Family Accounts
Rishi Kapoor's autobiography recalled that his mother Krishna Raj Kapoor temporarily left the family home during the time Raj Kapoor was allegedly involved with Vyjayanthimala.
Marriage to Dr Chamanlal Bali
Vyjayanthimala's Account
Sections of the media criticised the relationship and Vyjayanthimala's family opposed it because Dr Bali was already married and had children.
Rumours and Family Accounts
Vyjayanthimala believed Dr Bali's marriage had already broken down before their relationship became serious and stood by her decision despite public debate.
- Born
- August 13, 1936
- Birthplace
- Madras (now Chennai)
- Known As
- India's first female superstar
- Notable Films
- Nagin, Devdas, Madhumati, Naya Daur, Gunga Jumna, Sangam
- Husband
- Dr Chamanlal Bali, physician and friend of Raj Kapoor
- Year Married
- 1968
- Son
- Suchindra
- Husband's Death
- 1986