Archive · 13 Aug 2026
Vyjayanthimala's romance with married father of three ended in marriage
Vyjayanthimala was a famous movie star in India, known for films like Devdas and Sangam.
She once went to a doctor named Dr Chamanlal Bali, who was a family doctor to actor Raj Kapoor.
The doctor was already married and had three children.
Vyjayanthimala and the doctor fell in love anyway.
Her grandmother was very upset and called her a 'home-wrecker.'
Some people spread unkind rumors and even made threatening phone calls.
Vyjayanthimala said she was not breaking anyone's home because the marriage was already unhappy.
After seven years, the doctor's divorce was final, and they got married in 1968.
She stopped making movies after the wedding and moved to Chennai with her husband and son.
The doctor passed away in 1986, and Vyjayanthimala never married again.
Vyjayanthimala, known for films like Devdas, Madhumati and Sangam, met Dr Chamanlal Bali in 1961 when she was his patient.
Their romance began while Bali was married with three children, and they got engaged while he was still married.
Her grandmother called her a 'home-wrecker', and she faced tabloid rumors about drugs, fortune-hunting and threat calls.
Bali's divorce came through after seven years and they married in 1968, with Vyjayanthimala quitting films afterward.
She had earlier denied an affair with Raj Kapoor, calling it manufactured gossip, a claim contradicted by Rishi Kapoor's autobiography.
- Who
- Vyjayanthimala, a celebrated Bollywood actress, and Dr Chamanlal Bali, Raj Kapoor's close friend and family physician.
- What
- Their love affair and eventual marriage, which unfolded amid family opposition, tabloid rumors and threat calls.
- When
- They met in 1961 and married in 1968; Dr Bali passed away in 1986.
- Where
- India, including Chennai (then Madras); the pair also traveled with the Sangam team to Switzerland, Paris and London.
- Why
- The two fell in love; Vyjayanthimala believed Bali's marriage was already over, and they wed after his divorce came through.
Vyjayanthimala's Defense
Family and Tabloids' Criticism
Home-wrecker accusation
Vyjayanthimala's Defense
Vyjayanthimala insisted she was not a home-breaker, saying Dr Bali's marriage was already over and an 'unhappy alliance' before they fell in love.
Family and Tabloids' Criticism
Her grandmother and 1960s tabloids branded her a home-wrecker who broke the home of a married father of three.
Raj Kapoor affair rumors
Vyjayanthimala's Defense
Vyjayanthimala denied any affair with Raj Kapoor, claiming he manufactured such gossip to promote his films.
Family and Tabloids' Criticism
Rishi Kapoor's autobiography stated Raj had an affair with Vyjayanthimala, leading his mother Krishna Raj Kapoor to move out until it ended.
- Actress
- Vyjayanthimala
- Partner
- Dr Chamanlal Bali, Raj Kapoor's family physician
- First meeting
- 1961, as his patient
- Marriage
- 1968, after Bali's divorce
- Notable films
- Naya Daur, Devdas, Madhumati, Gunga Jumna, Sangam
- Refused role
- Deewaar (mother's role went to Nirupa Roy)
- Dr Bali's death
- 1986
- Children
- Son Suchindra