A prominent Indian actress who has worked in both television and film, Anju Mahendru was born in Mumbai on January 11, 1946, and began her modelling career when she was only thirteen. She never completed her education, and continued to work even as a child. At the age of fourteen she made her way into the realm of acting, and bagged a role in her first as well as director Basu Bhattacharya’s first film, Uski Kahani (1966). She got this early break after she was recommended to Bhattacharya by the poet and lyricist Kaifi Azmi, who went on to become a close confidant of Mahendru.

In the next few years Mahendru appeared in several films such as Jewel Thief (1967) and Bandhan (1969). Following this phase, however, her acting career became quite sporadic, in part due to her relationship with a man who did not encourage her acting, and in part due to her own self-professed lack of ambition. She was also in a relationship with the prominent actor Rajesh Khanna, who eventually ended up marrying Dimple Kapadia, however, she remained a lifelong support to him.

It was in the nineties that she re-focused on her acting career, and though she continued to appear in supporting roles in films – such as Dil Ki Baazi (1993), Saathiya (2002) Page 3 (2005) and The Dirty Picture (2011) – her most regular and popular appearances on screen have been through television shows. She became well recognized for appearing as a series regular on numerous serials including Sapno Ki Duniya (1995 – 1996), Swabhimaan (1995 – 1997), Kahiin To Hoga (2003 – 2007), and Ek Hazaaron Mein Meri Behna Hai (2011 – 2013).

Besides acting, Mahendru’s two big passions are cricket – an interest that began after her acquaintance and subsequent engagement with Gary Sobers – and dogs. She looks after multiple dogs herself, and is an ardent advocate for the care and welfare of homeless animals. She is associated with several animal welfare NGOs, and has been known to fulfil the needs of countless stray animals, especially dogs. She is quoted as saying, “I love animals with great passion and I wish everybody would just pick up one little stray animal and adopt it.”