Ameesha Patel recently opened up about her family's deep-rooted connection with former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, sharing that Gandhi was the first person to visit her after she was born. In an interview with Bollywood Bubble, Patel recalled, "When I was born at Breach Candy Hospital, the first person to come and see me was Indira Gandhi." She elaborated on her grandfather, Barrister Rajni Patel, emphasizing his significant role in politics. "My grandfather was a very renowned barrister. Then he stepped into politics. His mentor from childhood was Jawaharlal Nehru. When he entered politics, he first joined the Communist Party and then moved to the Congress. During his time in Congress, his closest associate was Indira Gandhi. He was her chief advisor. He had also served as the Congress treasurer and Congress president. There wasn't any major move that Indira Gandhi would make without discussing it with my grandfather or taking his opinion. My grandfather also raised funds for many chief ministers across India. It is a very politically involved family," she added.
Ameesha Patel Reveals Indira Gandhi Fixed Her Parents' Wedding Date
In the same interview, Patel disclosed that Indira Gandhi played a role in her parents' marriage. "Indira Gandhi fixed the wedding date of my parents as well. Their horoscopes didn't match, so she was asked when she was available, and based on her dates, my parents' wedding day was finalised," she said. Patel also highlighted her grandfather's contribution to building the Nehru Planetarium in Worli as a tribute to Jawaharlal Nehru. "There is a very deep connection with the Gandhi family," she noted, stressing the close professional ties between her grandfather and Indira Gandhi.
Rajni Patel's Political Legacy and Influence
Rajni Patel, a prominent lawyer and senior Congress leader, was regarded as one of Mumbai's most respected legal figures. Trained in London as a barrister, he built a successful practice and was part of the defense team in the high-profile 1959 K.M. Nanavati case. He began his political journey with the Communist movement before joining the Indian National Congress in the late 1960s, where he shared a close equation with Indira Gandhi. Known for his sharp legal acumen and political influence, he later became president of the Mumbai Pradesh Congress Committee and was seen as a powerful force within the party.
