Anju Mahendru

Personal life

Mahendru was briefly engaged to cricket player Gary Sobers.

Mahendru had a long relationship with actor Rajesh Khanna who left her to marry Dimple Kapadia, but she remained in his life and was by his side when he died.

Career

Mahendru started modelling at the age of 13. She was discovered by poet and lyricist Kaifi Azmi who recommended her to Basu Bhattacharya. Basu cast her in Uski Kahani in 1966. Uski Kahani was the debut film for Mahendru as well as the first directorial venture of Basu Bhattacharya. She later went on to act in films such as Jewel Thief, Bandhan, Dastak. She never made it as a leading lady and moved to character roles. She was also featured in Nari Hira's television films featuring up and coming Aditya Pancholi in the mid-1980s.

She made a comeback in the 1990s in television acting in various soaps. She played Trishna's mother-in-law in the TV serial Hamari Betiyoon Ka Vivaah on Zee TV. She acted as Maan's daadi in Geet Hui Sabse Parayi. she also played the role of Jeevika's, Maanvi's, and Daboo's daadi in [Ek Hazaaron Mein Meri Behna Hai]. She is seen as Sujatha in Star Plus' Ye Hai Mohabbatein. Currently, she is seen as Gayatri Singh , the grandmother of the female lead, Anami, in Rishton Ka Chakravyuh on Star Plus