Journey of Rajesh Khanna to the First Superstar of Bollywood
Rajesh Khanna has been one of the most talked about stars of Bollywood. From his larger-than-life character in ‘Anand’ to a hopeless romantic in ‘Amar Prem’, Rajesh Khanna has given his fans and entire generation moments to remember. The heartthrob of Bollywood, who ruled the hearts of millions, breathed his last with regret on July 18, 2012. Time passed, but the memories of Khanna – who achieved fame that no other film star had ever experienced before – are still alive. On his ninth death anniversary, here are some anecdotes from the actor’s life that were captured by biographer Yasar Usman in his audiobook ‘Rajesh Khanna: The Untold Story of India’s First Superstar’.
“There was a long line of women from nine to ninety outside the studio we used to work in.”
In the audiobook, Sharmila Tagore, superstar Rajesh Khanna’s favorite co-star, mentions that women came out to see him. She also sheds light on how they would stand in queues outside studios to catch a glimpse of her, marry her pictures, pull off her clothes and what not. More than just a heartbeat, Khanna was a role model for him. “Where we used to work, there was a long queue of women from nine to ninety outside the studio,” she says. The frenzy was phenomenal.” Sharmila also noted, “He probably didn’t have the qualities usually associated with a hero, he had an unarmed smile, youthful energy and an innate sense of drama and a good sense of humor. There was a kind of modified voice which he used to his full advantage.”
To this, says Yasir Usman, “mostly remembered as a romantic actor because he had a vulnerable lost air about him that made women of all ages feel safe around him”.
“The news of Rajesh Khanna tying the knot became the biggest event of the year. Lot of women were heartbroken, some of them went into a state of shock, while some who married his picture earlier, for Prateek Widowhood decided to wear white.” The whole act of his marriage to Dimple Kapadia was “nothing but a publicity stunt for what it was worth,” according to Devi magazine.
“Rajesh Khanna is over. If he thought this third rate shot was too good, then obviously his mind was not working.”
In a controversy about a retake for a scene (in Aradhana), Rajesh Khanna looked director Shakti Samanta straight in the eye and said “Nobody will give you a better performance than this in India.” To which Samant later admitted, “Rajesh Khanna is finished. He is dead. If he thought this third rate shot was too good, then obviously his brain was not working.” But history books would disagree as Aradhana was a part of Khanna’s step towards stardom.
Another such incident happened on the sets of the 1979 film Janta Havaldar. Well-known comedian Mehmood complained that working with Khanna was an “annoying experience”. “Mahmood even thrashed Khanna before the film’s shooting was over,” says Yasar. “Mahmood complained that the company Khanna had kept ruined his career.”
“His fascination for whiskey and his love for food turned out to be more than what he wanted.”
With more than 3 consecutive flops and no “cute boy” appearances, Khanna could see his career coming to an end before his very eyes. “Most filmmakers thought that Khanna’s off-screen troubles got into his work. He was popular enough to attract roles but his failures made him a second-round star. Rajesh and his films stopped making history. Furthermore, the Yasar audiobook mentions “his fascination for whiskey and his love for food began to show more than he wanted.”
“From 1969 to 1972, you will find his (Rajesh Khanna’s) name in any buzz for Hindi cinema, as he was the face of mainstream cinema then.”
Jatin Khanna, a boy with big dreams, who hails from Amritsar, adopted the on-screen name ‘Rajesh’ and who knew it would be etched in the memories of so many hearts across the world. As Yasser explains, he did it the hard way, “During the United Producers Combine Talent Hunt Contest (1965), Jatin used his well-modified voice to stun the judges with each passing line as he played a single during the final. monologue, which made him beat 10000 contestants.” He added, “Rajesh Khanna’s struggle came to an end the day he signed a contract with United Producers Combine.”
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