Anju Mahendru is an Indian film & television actress and fashion designer. She was in a long-term on-and-off relationship with the legendary Indian actor Rajesh Khanna.Anju was brought up in Mumbai, Maharashtra. Anju Mahendru’s childhood picture with her mother and sister.She started her career as a child actor in the Hindi film ‘Paying Guest’ (1957). Anju Mahendru as a child actor in Paying Guest.Anju started working as a model at the age of 13 or 14. Anju Mahendru at the age of 14.She did many acting projects and made her name in the world of modelling. She was then featured as a model in the print advertisement for Brooke Bond Taj Mahal. Anju Mahendru in a print advertisement for Brooke Bond.In one of her modelling projects, the Indian poet and lyricist Kiafi Azmi spotted her. He then suggested her name to the Indian director Basu Bhattacharya, who cast her in the Hindi film ‘Uski Kahani’ (1996). Anju then acted in many Hindi films such as ‘Jewel Thief’ (1967), ‘Darwaza’ (1978), ‘Ganga Ki Saugand’ (1978), ‘Pyaas’ (1982), ‘Khatarnaak Irade’ (1987), and ‘Hum To Chale Pardes’ (1988). However, she failed to impress the audience with her films. Anju Mahendru in ‘Ganga Ki Saugand’ (1978).In 1966, she started dating the legendary Indian actor Rajesh Khanna. At the time they started dating, Anju was struggling to get a big break in Bollywood while Rajesh was an established actor. Initially, there were only rumours of their dating, but when people saw Rajesh’s car parked in the parking lot of Anju’s apartment, the rumours turned out to be true. The couple then started attending parties and events together. Rajesh then gifted a bungalow to Anju and they moved in as a live-in couple. Rajesh was head over heels for Anju, but gradually, he started being over-possessive about her. He wanted her to wear a saree, stay at home, and always be available for him. Whereas, Anju loved to party and wear short dresses. Soon, Rajesh’s behaviour started affecting her. In an interview, while talking about Rajesh, Anju said, He is a very orthodox man, yet somehow, is always attracted to ultra-modern girls. Confusion was a part of our relationship. If I wore a skirt, he’d snap, why don’t you wear a sari? If I wore a sari, he’d say, why are you trying to project a Bhartiya nari look?” In an interview, when Rajesh was asked about the same, he said, Often after a hard day at the studios, I’d return home to find a note saying that she had gone to so-and-so’s party…Or when I would drop in tired and lonely, at her house, I would find her entertaining friends…I’d want to spend evening alone with her. Sometimes I used to ask Anju to spend time with my mother but she didn’t want to make the effort. Yes, I didn’t want Anju working in films. But what career did she sacrifice for me? Those two bit roles…Where would those stray roles have taken her?”.Then the low phase of Rajesh’s career started which affected his personal life as well. He wanted Anju to always stay with him. In an interview, while talking about the same, Anju said, It was getting difficult day by day to understand Rajesh Khanna. His flop films had disappointed him. He was also very moody and was under a lot of tension all the time. To me he was Jatin or Justin, a man I loved, not Rajesh Khanna, a Superstar or The Phenomenon. As much as I could, I had submerged my individuality, my personality, my identity into his, to make him happy. He wanted me to give up modelling at a time when I was paid very highly, I did. He wanted me to quit acting so he made me get out of a film with Sanjeev Kumar. I was keen on a film career but Rajesh came first to me.”.Anju and Rajesh then started facing more problems in their relationship, and one day, after a major fight, Anju left Rajesh’s home. A few days later, she met the West Indies cricketer Garfield Sobers at a party. Soon, Anju became friends with Gary. After a few meetings, Gary proposed to Anju with a ring. She used to love spending time with Gary, so she accepted the proposal. A few days later, she realised that she liked Gary, but she was in love with Rajesh Khanna. She then returned to Rajesh’s home and from there he called Gary and broke her unofficial engagement with him. In an interview, when Gary was asked about his relationship with Anju, he said that he did not know any girl named Anju. Anju Mahendru with her ex-boyfriend Gary Sobers.Rajesh got to know about Anju’s affair with Gary through media sources. He was very upset with Anju for this.