The legendary actor Dilip Kumar, who is revered in Indian cinema, had an episode in his personal life that drew considerable attention when he married his second wife, Asma Rehman, in 1982. The marriage was short-lived, and Asma soon found herself hounded by the media, forcing her to move to Canada to escape the scrutiny. The media buzz around the relationship and her sudden relocation had fans and critics alike questioning the legitimacy of the many rumors that circulated about the star couple.
The Silent Second Marriage of Dilip Kumar
Dilip Kumar, who had been happily married to Saira Bano for 16 years, suddenly tied the knot with Asma Rehman in 1982. The news came as a shock to many, given the couple’s low-key and private wedding. But as with any major event in a celebrity’s life, the media was quick to jump in, fabricating stories and making bold allegations about the reasons behind the sudden union.
Asma, who endured intense scrutiny, was accused of a variety of things, from being an opportunist to being the one responsible for the rift in Dilip and Saira’s seemingly perfect marriage. Speaking in a 1983 interview held in Vancouver, Canada, Asma reflected on her struggles with the press: “People write whatever they want, they just want to fill up the space…95% of the things that were written about me were false.”
Why Did Asma Move to Canada?
After her brief marriage with Dilip Kumar ended in divorce, Asma chose to move to Canada to escape the relentless attention. According to Asma, the environment surrounding her in India had become so toxic due to unfounded allegations that she needed to get away for peace of mind. But even in Vancouver, she found that she could not escape the invasion of her privacy.
In the interview, Asma confessed, “I thought it would be more peaceful in Vancouver, but it feels like I am not meant to have peace… I feel there is a total lack of privacy no matter where I go.” Her statement reflects the challenges she faced even after the divorce—an unrelenting media that seemed determined to sensationalize her personal life at any cost.
A Life of Speculation and False Stories
The constant media intrusion led Asma to reveal that no one really knew the truth behind her marriage to Dilip Kumar. In the interview, she emphasized how private their conversations were and how the press only fabricated what they could not know: “Conversations that take place between two people, which are personal and private in nature, how can anyone know about them? But these people’s imagination is just so wild that they just make up stories.”
Asma strongly asserted that the media coverage surrounding her brief marriage to Dilip Kumar was largely untrue and only served to vilify her in the eyes of the public. She had little to no chance to defend herself as every move she made was heavily scrutinized.
Dilip Kumar’s Regret and Admission
In his memoir, Dilip Kumar opened up about his marriage to Asma, admitting it was a mistake. The actor confessed that he had gotten married to her without informing his first wife, Saira Bano, causing deep emotional distress to the woman who had stood by him for years. “I can never forget or forgive myself for the hurt I caused to Saira and the shattering of the unshakeable faith she had in me,” Dilip wrote in his memoir, acknowledging the personal cost of his actions.
Dilip eventually realized the gravity of his actions, divorced Asma, and returned to Saira, seeking her forgiveness. He detailed how Saira stood by him through the ordeal and agreed to give him the time he needed to “restore the sanctity” of their marriage.
Asma’s Attempt to Move On
Despite the personal and public turbulence, Asma Rehman tried to move on after her divorce from Dilip Kumar. Her decision to relocate to Canada reflected her desire to leave behind the unwanted attention and find peace. However, the media storm followed her, as she later confessed in interviews.
While Asma’s name may have faded from the public spotlight in the years following her divorce, the scars left by the relentless media coverage remained. Her story serves as a cautionary tale of the harsh realities that come with being involved with a high-profile celebrity, where privacy is a luxury few are afforded.
The Aftermath: Dilip Kumar and Saira Bano’s Lasting Bond
Dilip Kumar and Saira Bano stayed married until Dilip’s death in 2021. Despite the turbulence caused by his second marriage to Asma, Saira stood by his side, and their relationship endured the test of time. Their enduring love story is often hailed as one of Bollywood’s greatest partnerships, surviving against the odds and outlasting the temporary storm that Asma’s presence brought into their lives.
As for Asma, she remains a figure whose brief chapter in Dilip Kumar’s life continues to be a source of intrigue and speculation, though she has long since moved away from the limelight.