The lives of these actors could make for the perfect Bollywood potboiler

The personal lives of some Bollywood actors peppered with link-ups, break-ups, catfights with industry colelagues, temper tantrums and run-ins with the law are more entertaining than their on-screen roles

Drama, drama, drama… We love it to bits because it keeps us entertained. But, at times, real life stories can be more fascinating than the make-believe ones which unfold on the big screen. Like the personal life of some actors that is peppered with a few or all of these elements — link-ups, break-ups, catfights with industry colelagues, temper tantrums and run-ins with the law. hitlist takes a look...

Kangana Ranaut
The actress may be on the speed dial of top-notch filmmakers today, but that wasn’t the case a few years ago. And her struggles were not just limited to the professional realm. Her backstory goes like this: She ran away from home to join the glamour industry and coped with her initial struggling days with the support of Aditya Pancholi, who later admitted that they were in a relationship. The actress filed a case against him for physical abuse under the influence of alcohol. She then dated Adhyayan Suman, her co-star from 'Raaz: The Mystery Continues' (2009). The latter broke up with her claiming that Kangana was mentally harassing him.

In spite of the several debacles in her career, she remained a popular choice for various brands. Kangs was offered about Rs 2 crore to model for a fairness cream, but she rejected it on moral grounds. In the last two or three years, she has made some interesting movie choices, which made the world sit up and take notice. And one thing which has been constant about the feisty actress is that she is unafraid to speak her mind.

Salman Khan
Once the chocolate boy of B-Town, the star has often hit headlines for the wrong reasons. His alleged violent relationships with actresses Somy Ali, Aishwarya Rai and Katrina Kaif are still a sore point and something that's often discussed. Add to it, his court cases — he was accused of poaching three chinkaras and a black buck near Jodhpur in 1998 and then booked in the 2002 hit and run case. Both cases are still open as the actor has not been completely acquitted of all charges. 

Salman Khan. Pic/Rane Ashish

These apart, Salman has often ruffled feathers by making politically incorrect statements, especially the one in defence of Yakub Memon, a few days before he was hanged in connection with the 1993 Mumbai serial blast case. (Read: Here's why Salman Khan is controversy's favourite child in Bollywood)

His on and off friendship with Shah Rukh Khan is also much discussed, although the two stars have hugged and made up now. Aside all the controversies and scandals, his humility and giving nature makes him a larger than life persona.

Rekha
She has been controversy’s favourite child ever since she stepped into the glamour industry. At a time when actresses refused to get intimate with their co-stars on screen, Rekha was the first one to lock lips — she shared a kiss with Biswajit in 'Anjaana Safar' (1969). But that’s not her only bold act. She had the controversial role of a married woman who turns into a prostitute in the 1997 film 'Aastha' opposite Om Puri. She had also played a courtesan in 'Utsav' (1984) opposite Shekhar Suman which was then the talk of the town. Even her brief sex scene with Akshay Kumar in 'Khiladiyon Ka Khiladi' (1996) created quite a scandal.

Rekha

Coming to her personal life, Rekha was married to Mukesh Aggarwal in 1990, but a year later, he committed suicide. While Rekha has never openly admitted to being married more than once, rumours had it that she had secretly tied the knot with actor Vinod Mehra. However, the actress confessed during a talk show that she has had two failed marriages.

Any mention of Rekha would be incomplete without mentioning Amitabh Bachchan. The two actors are still a source of gossip and an opportunity for shutterbugs when spotted at the same event. Late filmmaker Yash Chopra had reportedly said that he was scared of shooting with Amitabh, Rekha and Jaya Bachchan for 'Silsila' (1981) because their real life was being mirrored in reel.

Sanjay Dutt
When he started his film career, he was the angry young man much like Amitabh Bachchan, but not really a star then. In his early days, there were some references to his drug addiction issues, but no ill-habit really matched the gravity of his link to the 1993 Mumbai attacks. S Hussain Zaidi’s book explains that during the '92-93 riots in the city, Sanjay wanted to protect his family. While his father (Sunil Dutt) turned to law, the brawny actor opted for guns. Unfortunately, the arms he had procured were part of the consignment that Dawood Ibrahim used to spread terror in the city. Sanjay got embroiled in an unwarranted controversy and hasn’t been able to live it down. For over 20 years, he suffered the stigma of being associated with the blasts and is currently serving the last leg of his jail term. (Read: Why is Sanjay Dutt keeping a low profile?)

Maharashtra Governor Vidyasagar Rao rejected a plea to waive off the remaining jail term of Sanjay Dutt, convicted in the 1993 Mumbai serial blasts case. His frequent leave of furlough and parole may have gone against him

Also read: Never sought pardon from Maharashtra Governor, clarifies Sanjay Dutt

In between all this, he never lost the love of his fans. And in spite of being imprisoned, he committed himself to several big budget projects which are yet to take off. As far as his domestic life is concerned, Sanjay was first married to Richa Sharma and they had a daughter, Trishala. After his wife’s demise, he married model Rhea Pillai, but it didn’t last long. His third marriage to Manyata Dilnawaz Sheikh saw a lot of turmoil too. It was rumoured that she was connected to the underworld and some reports suggested that they got married because she was pregnant. Though his family didn’t approve of the alliance, he still went ahead with it. (View photos: Sanjay Dutt, the troubled existence)

Om Puri
People used to speak of his life as a rags to riches story. But when he decided to publish his biography, all hell broke loose. His wife Nandita, a journalist, listed down his escapades from his rag-picking days to being a reputed actor. Puri was married to Seema Kapoor for eight months, and then divorced her on grounds of adultery to get married to his second wife. His sexual life became the highlight of his biography, especially his intimate romps with his domestic maid when he was barely 14. (Read: Is Om Puri a repeat offender?)

Om Puri

The book also mentioned his relationship with Laxmi, a woman who raised him and his brother’s children. Of course, Puri gave his wife an earful for sensationalising his life, but Nandita claims that his 'biography is more like his bloody pornography'. Much later, she accused him of domestic violence. The actor was booked, but, eventually, released on bail.

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