Anglicised looks, mismatched facial features, seemingly unconscious of her looks - Dimple Kapadia is an unconventional beauty. Kapadia, a Raj Kapoor's discovery, created a furore in Bollywood as Bobby. Despite the fact that she doesn't have the typical Indian beauty, she was an instant hit and became a rage then. Undoubtedly, it was a dream debut for the actress. The film was designed to be Rishi Kapoor's formal launch pad but it was Kapadia who hogged the limelight and became a phenomenon.

Dimple's innocent expressions swept audience off their feet and its tag line, 'a teenager's love story' immediately caught with the audience, making it an instant hit. Dimple's wardrobe in the film was inspired by the comic strip Archie. And the short dresses, especially the polka dotted skirt and her flares, were an immediate fad with the audience, so much that the polka print was called Bobby print thereafter.

Her instant success wasn't replicated because of her marriage to superstar Rajesh Khanna almost immediately after, putting a temporary halt in her career.

She returned to Bollywood after 12 years with Saagar. This time maturity had taken over the innocence and it was delight to watch a mature Dimple on-screen. Once again she scorched the screen with her fabulous figure. Though Saagar was a hit, it could not ensure good roles for her.

She played the role of the seductress in dozen of films. Her plunging necklines, transparent sarees and rain dances presented her as a sex siren. Her swimsuit photo-ops and advertisements added to her glam doll image.

However, the late 1980's and the beginning of 90's witnessed Kapadia as a mature actress. She was more realistic in her screen presence in Kaash, Drishti, Antareen and Rudali. It brought her to the centrestage again. Rudali won her a National Award besides the critic accolades. The combination of a beautiful face, gracious presence and sensitivity in acting made her as a prize catch then for the directors.

In her third avtaar as an actress, Dimple done sensitive roles like Tara Jaiswal in Farhan Akthar's Dil Chahta Hai and title role in Leela. Interestingly, she was paired with Vinod Khanna in Leela and his son Akshaye in DCH. She may be aging, but not a speck of her beauty has withered.

After brilliant movies, Dimple took over to candle making and interior designing.

Yojana Sharma