Updated on September 11th, 2024

Born in Jalandhar as Meenu Bimbet, Rakhsana Sultana possessed an ethereal beauty that captivated all who crossed her path. Her elegance and beauty drew admirers from all walks of life, including the corridors of power and the glittering world of Bollywood. Her association with Sanjay Gandhi, coupled with her lineage as the mother of Bollywood actress Amrita Singh and maternal grandmother to Sara Ali Khan, propelled her into the spotlight of both the political and entertainment spheres. Wife and divorcee of an Indian Army Officer who was a close relative of writer Sardar Khuswant Singh, Rukhsana has many facets of her pleasing and controversial personality.

Days of Emergency, Sanjay Gandhi & Rukhsana Sultana

India saw dark days of emergency in 1975, declared on 25th June 1975, it prolonged for 21 months. During the Emergency, Sanjay Gandhi gained prominence as a politician, advising his mother on all fronts. Sanjay Gandhi played an important role in the arrest of senior opposition leaders and during the subsequent General Elections in 1977. Sanjay Gandhi attained the image of forced sterilization and moving people of the minority community out of New Delhi.

Being a very close aide of Sanjay Gandhi, she was put in charge of tasks for family planning around old Delhi, especially the Jama Masjid area. Sanjay encouraged her to work in the sensitive walled city area of the capital. Tasked with implementing Sanjay Gandhi’s family planning initiatives, she adopted a relentless approach that often veered into coercion and force. The forced sterilizations and slum relocations she orchestrated in the Jama Masjid area of Delhi sparked outrage and condemnation, particularly among the Muslim community.

Her aggressive tactics earned her a reputation as a feared and despised figure, with many viewing her as a symbol of authoritarianism and oppression during one of India’s darkest periods. Much beyond the given target of 8000 persons to motivate family planning, she forcefully sterilised 13000 people. She was so aggressive that people, especially Muslim used to see her as a fearful personality. The situation became so tense that it also caused law and order problems in Delhi. 

Meeting of Rukhsana with Sanjay Gandhi at her boutique in Delhi

Rukhsana Sultana, the mother of Bollywood actress Amrita Singh and maternal grandmother of actress Sara Ali Khan, managed a boutique in the Connaught Place area of Delhi. It was during her time there that she encountered Sanjay Gandhi, who visited her boutique, where she retailed high-end diamond jewellery, to purchase some diamonds to gift someone. Rukhsana was thrilled to see the prime minister’s son visit her boutique. After the first meeting, she told Sanjay that she felt highly motivated and inspired by his leadership qualities and offered to dedicate her life to his ‘cause’. The meeting blossomed into frequent interactions, eventually becoming public knowledge within the political circles of the time. Rukhshana’s assertive personality and influence were such that people often sought her out before approaching Sanjay Gandhi himself.

Many leaders and other people used to approach her for their tasks in governmental circles. Indira Gandhi, Meneka Gandhi, and many other congress leaders were not comfortable with Rukhsana. Ambika Soni, a politician from Punjab and a youth leader in those days, was one of them. Once she objected to her presence, but Sanjay Gandhi ruled out her objection, saying that Youth Congress needs Rukhsana, Rukhsana doesn’t need Youth Congress, so they must act accordingly. She was so special, often saying herself the ‘Ice Cream buddy’ of Sanjay. What it means was not clear to any.

Family background & married life of Rukhsana

Rukhsana, a niece of actress Begum Para and a pin-up girl of the 1950s was married to Indian Army Officer Shivinder Singh Virk, who was a close relative of renowned writer and journalist Sardar Khushwant Singh. Together, they welcomed a daughter named Amrita Singh. However, their marriage eventually ended in separation. Following this, Rukhsana Sultana ventured into the fashion industry in Delhi, where fate would lead her to cross paths with Sanjay Gandhi. Despite an attempt at a career in Bollywood, she did not achieve success in the film industry.

Tale of Hazzi Mastan: An Intriguing Encounter

Among the myriad stories surrounding Rakhsana Sultana, one stands out as a testament to her allure and mystique, her encounter with the notorious underworld figure, Hazzi Mastan. Legend has it that their paths crossed over a rare bar of CAMAY soap, a luxury item smuggled from France. Despite her high social standing, Rukhsana’s desire for the elusive soap led her to a chance meeting with Hazzi Mastan, who allegedly fulfilled her wish in a surprising turn of events.

Here is a fascinating story about Rukhsana and the underworld don Hazzi Mastan. Rukhsana loved using CAMAY soap, which was hard to find in India in those days. It was from France and smuggled to India. One day, when she couldn’t find it anywhere in Bombay, she returned to her car to find it filled fully with the same soap. To her surprise, a person was standing, revealing himself as the one who left the soap. He was the underworld DON of that time, Hazzi Mastan. This story shows how Rukhsana’s beauty attracted admirers from unexpected places.

Rukhsana Sultana remains a complex and controversial figure in Indian history, her beauty and influence juxtaposed against the backdrop of authoritarianism and turmoil. Despite the controversies that surrounded her, her legacy endures as a testament to the complexities of power, beauty, and influence in society.
Disclaimer: The facts discussed in this article are based on media reports and different books on the topic.