Rajesh Khanna — When a Will Isn't Enough  

Rajesh Khanna, one of Bollywood's first superstars, died in July 2012. Unlike Dhirubhai Ambani, he did leave a will — but that didn't prevent a bitter, drawn-out dispute over his estate.

What happened?

2012 — Rajesh Khanna dies
His estate, reportedly worth around ₹500 crore, included prime Mumbai property, most notably his iconic bungalow "Aashirwad."

2012-2013 — A second claimant emerges
Anita Advani came forward publicly claiming to have been his live-in partner for several years, and sought a share of his estate and access to his will.

2013 onwards — The dispute plays out in court
His daughter, Twinkle Khanna, contested Advani's claims and fought to prevent her from accessing the will. The matter proceeded through the Bombay High Court, with hearings continuing for several years.

The lesson

Having a will is a critical first step — but it isn't automatically the end of the story. Disputes can still arise over who has a legitimate claim to contest it, who the rightful beneficiaries are, and whether the will accurately reflects the deceased's relationships and intentions.

A will reduces uncertainty, but it works best when paired with clear, unambiguous documentation of relationships and intentions — especially in situations involving unconventional family circumstances — so that even a valid will isn't left vulnerable to prolonged challenge.