Rajesh Khanna was born in Amritsar on December 29, 1942, as Jatin Khanna, the adopted son of his parents.Rajesh Khanna and Jeetendra studied together at the St. Sebastian Goan High School in Girgaum and went to Kishinchand Chellaram College.
Bollywood's first superstar Rajesh Khanna breathed his last on July 18,2012 at his residence in Mumbai. He was 69 and is survived by his estranged wife Dimple Kapadia and two daughters Twinkle and Rinke. Film actor Akshay Kumar was his son-in-law. His last rites will be performed on Thursday July 19,2012.
'Achcha to hum chalte hain': Rajesh Khanna bids a quiet adieu
Rajesh Khanna's last words: 'Time up ho gaya, pack up'
Like Anand from the film, the man is gone. But the memories will live on.
Rajesh Khanna: The superstar laid to rest
The funeral procession began around 10:15 am on Thursday July 19,2012 morning and reached the crematorium at around 11 am. The last rites were performed by Twinkle Khanna and Akshay Kumar’s son, Aarav
Film Career
In 1965, the journey to filmdom started after he won(defeating Vinod Mehra) the All India Talent Contest organised by United Producers and Filmfare.Rajesh Khanna made his film debut in a film Aakhri Khat(1966)followed by Raaz(1967) opposite Babita, but neither was a major success.
Rajesh Khanna and Sharmila Tagore came together for Aradhana in 1969.
The song Roop Tera Mastana from Aradhana starring Rajesh Khanna and Sharmila Tagore made Bollywood history as the first single take shot.
Rajesh Khanna appeared in many romantic, melodramatic and social films with Sharmila Tagore, Mumtaz, Hema Malini and Asha Parekh
Hema Malini is the only actress with whom Rajesh Khanna was romantically paired for the maximum number of times -15 times
The pair Rajesh Khanna-Mumtaz holds the record for being the only romantic on screen pair in Indian Cinema to have had 100% success ratio at the Box Office. Rajesh Khanna has 8 blockbusters opposite Mumtaz. In 'Bandhan', 'Do Raaste', 'Sacha Jhootha', 'Roti', 'Aap Ki Kasam' and 'Dushman', Rajesh Khanna was seen romancing Mumtaz on screen.
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Rajesh Khanna - Sharmila Tagore pair in films.
Amar Prem', 'Aradhana', 'Chhoti Bahu', 'Daag' and 'Safar' are some of their popular films together.
Rajesh Khanna - Asha Parekh pair in films
Rajesh Khanna -Zeenat Amman pair in films
Rajesh Khanna paired up with stunning Zeenat Aman for films like 'Ajnabee', 'Chhailla Babu', 'Aashiq Hoon Baharon Ka', 'Jaanwar'etc.
Rajesh Khanna -Jaya Pradha pair in films
Rajesh Khanna and Jaya Prada were seen together in films like 'Paapi Pet Ka Sawaal Hai', 'Dharm Aur Qanoon', 'Awaaz', 'Naya Kadam' in the 1990's.
Rajesh Khanna and Reena Roy pair in films
Rajesh Khanna and Reena Roy were seen in 'Dhanwan', 'Dharam Kanta' and 'Hum Dono'.
Rajesh Khanna and Rekha pair in films
Rajesh Khanna was seen with Rekha in films like 'Agar Tum Na Hote', 'Asha Jyoti', 'Namak Haraam' and 'Muqabla'
Rajesh Khanna formed a brilliant team with director Shakti Samanta, music director RD Burman and 'his voice', singer Kishore Kumar resulting in blockbuster films such as Kati Patang(1970) and Amar Prem(1971)
Rajesh Khanna starrer ‘Haathi Mere Saathi’(1971) ranks high among the biggest hits of his career
The first film from the prestigious production house of Yash Raj Films, ‘Daag: A poem of Love’(1973) ought to have the romantic icon Rajesh Khanna as the lead. With an ensemble cast comprising of Khanna, Rakhi and Sharmila Tagore, the film went on to become a huge success.The film was made at the height of the Rajesh Khanna craze and became a super hit at the Box Office.
Made by filmmaker J Om Prakash ‘Aap Ki Kasam’(1973) brought the crackling chemistry between Rajesh Khanna and Bollywood beauty Mumtaaz to the fore.The film had a very emotional undertone which no other actor of the time could have justified other than Rajesh Khanna.
Manmohan Desai came out with ‘Roti’ (1974)with Rajesh Khanna paired with Mumtaaz again and almost all the songs of the film became runaway hits.
In Mehbooba(1976)paired with the Bollywood dream girl Hema Malini, Rajesh Khanna took the level of romance with ‘Mehbooba’ to a ‘supernatural’ level.
After the staggering success of ‘Mehbooba’, Rajesh Khanna was again paired with Hema Malini with a similar re-incarnation theme in ‘Kudrat’(1981) and some call it ‘Mehbooba’ part 2.
When it came to tragedy, he was next to only Dilip Kumar. Rajesh Khanna proved it with his acting in ‘Avtaar’(1983). The film reeked of Khanna’s incredible portrayal of a pained individual, who even at the time of biggest adversity of his life was brass neck enough. The film was a commercial hit, and was critically acclaimed.
Kishore Kumar sung several songs for Rajesh Khanna in the 1970s. One of them Mere Sapnon Ki Rani sung by Kishore da for the film Aradhana starring Sharmila Tagore became the most popular song of its generation
Rajesh Khanna shared close friendships with R D Burman and Kishore Kumar. The trio worked together in more than 30 films
Rajesh Khanna had 15 consecutive hits between 1969 to 1972, which is still a Bollywood record.
Memorable Films of Rajesh Khanna
1)Shakti Samantha's 'Aradhana'(1969) - Rajesh Khanna paired up with Sharmila Tagore
Mere Sapnon Ki Rani sung by Kishore da for the film Aradhana starring Sharmila Tagore became the most popular song of its generation.
2)Raj Khosla's Do Raasthe(1969) - Rajesh Khanna paired up with Mumtaaz
4)Asit Sen’s ‘Safar’(1970) - Rajesh Khanna paired up with Sharmila Tagore
5) 'Kati Pathang'(1970) - Rajesh Khanna paired up withAsha Parekh
6) 'Anand'(1970) - With Amitabh Bachchan as co-star, Rajesh Khanna delivered a masterpiece in ‘Anand’, which later as they say went on to become a cult classic of Bollywood.Hrishikesh Mukherjee wove a story around human emotions. Anand Sehgal (Rajesh Khanna)suffers from cancer and after filling the life of the people around him with happiness, he succumbs to his ailment. Who can forget that poignant scene from 'Anand' where Dr Bhaskar Bannerjee (Bachchan) coaxes a dead Anand( Rajesh Khanna) to speak and suddenly Khanna's voice booms out of the gramaphone 'Babumoshai'
7)Haathi Mere Saathi(1971) - Rajesh Khanna paired up with Tanuja
8)Aan Mila Sajna(1971) -Rajesh Khanna paired up withAsha Parekh
9)Andaz(1971) -Rajesh Khanna paired up with Hema Malini
10)Hrishikesh Mukherjee's 'Bawarchi'(1972) - Breathing life into the role of a lovable chef whose sole objective in life was to spread love and peace, Rajesh Khanna played the lead role to the hilt.
11)Amar Prem(1972) - Rajesh Khanna paired up with Sharmila Tagore
12)MereJeevan Saathi(1972) -
13)'Daag:A Poem of Love'(1973) -First Yash Raj Production and has starcast of Rajesh Khanna with Rakhi and Sharmila Tagore
14) J Om Prakash's 'Aap Ki Kasam'(1973) - Rajesh Khanna paired up with Mumtaaz
15)Man Mohan Desai's 'Roti'(1974) - Rajesh Khanna paired up with Mumtaaz
16)Mehbooba(1976) - Rajesh Khanna paired up withHema Malini
Post-1976,Rajesh Khanna had a string of box office flops.From 1979 onwards to end of 80s he also appeared in few multistarrers like Kudrat, Rajpoot, Dharam Aur Kanoon and Ashanti.
Rajesh Khanna made a comeback as an NRI in Aa Ab Laut Chalein (1999) and Kyaa Dil Ne Kahaa (2002).
In his four-decade career, he appeared in about 160 films, of which 106 had him as the solo lead hero and 22 were two hero projects.
Between 'Aradhana' in 1969 and 'Prem Kahani' in 1975, Rajesh enjoyed god-like status.
His very name spelt magic in the 1970s. He sparked hysteria, particularly amongst his legions of women fans, who would line the road for a glimpse, chant his name, cover his car with lipstick marks and even write him letters in blood. They got married to his photograph, cut their finger, let the blood flow and applied 'sindoor'
Rajesh Khanna was referred to as the "first superstar" of Indian Cinema who had 15 consecutive solo hit films in the 1970s, a record that remains unbroken till date.
Rajesh Khanna was the highest paid actor from 1970-79 and shared the honour with Amitabh Bachchan from 1980-87.
The one aspect which made all of Rajesh Khanna's film endearing was the music and songs.
Rajesh Khanna was referred to as the "first superstar" of Indian Cinema who had 15 consecutive solo hit films in the 1970s, a record that remains unbroken till date.
Rajesh Khanna was the highest paid actor from 1970-79 and shared the honour with Amitabh Bachchan from 1980-87.
The one aspect which made all of Rajesh Khanna's film endearing was the music and songs.
Politics
In early 90s, Rajesh Khanna stopped acting and served a five-year tenure as a CongressMP of New Delhi Constituency (1991 to 1996)
Rajesh Khanna first contested against BJP Leader Lal Krishna Advani in 1991 parliamentary elections from the New Delhi constituency, but lost narrowly to him. However, since Advani had also contested simultaneously from the Gandhinagar constituency in Gujarat and won there as well, he vacated the New Delhi seat. The resultant by election in 1992 saw Khanna pitted against fellow movie star Shatrughan Sinha, whom he defeated by a little over 25,000 votes. He contested again in 1996, this time from the Gandhinagar constituency in Gujarat against Advani but lost.
SmallScreen Appearances
In 2001 and 2002, Rajesh Khanna played major roles in 2 television serials: Aapne Parai and Ittefaq. Rajesh Khanna also appeared in a TV serial Raghukul Reet Sada Chali Aayi that began in November 2008 and ended in September 2009.
Awards
Rajesh Khanna has been awarded the Dadasaheb Phalke Legend Golden Actor Award and the IIFA 2009 Life Time Achievement Award.
Rajesh Khanna holds record for grabbing the maximum number of Best actor award in Bengal Film Journalist Association Awards (4 awards) and most number of nominations in BFJA awards (25 nominations) for Best Actor.
He has won Filmfare Best Actor Awards thrice - forSachaa Jhutha in 1971;For Anand in 1972 and for Avishkaar in 1974 and was nominated for 14 times
Awarded Filmfare Special Award in 1991 for completing 25 years in the industry, appearing in a record 106 films as the single lead protagonist in a span of 25 years.
Awarded Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award in 2005
Affairs and Marriage
Rajesh Khanna was reportedly in a relationship with aspiring actress and costume designer Anju Mahendru for seven years
After his separation from Dimple Kapadia, Rajesh Khanna was reportedly involved with Tina Munim for a brief period.
After separating for a few years, unconfirmed reports said Dimple Kapadia and Rajesh Khanna were back together.
Rajesh Khanna and Dimple Kapadia was blessed with two daughters Twinkle Khanna and Rinke Khanna
Aarav Bhatia,son of Akshay-Twinkle
RinkeKhanna is married to London-based investment banker Samir Saran
The ultimate romantic superstar of the 70s Rajesh Khanna has reportedly found love again. Her name is Anita Advani, a childhood friend of the superstar. If reports are to be believed the two have been dating for eight years now
Anita Advani, who is the niece of the former President of the Philippines Ferdinand Marcos.When asked if they are more than friends, she answers with a cryptic "I love him... who doesn't? Rajesh Khanna, however, has a different tale to tell. He says, "Anita and I have been known to each other for 32 years. She was in school then. We are just friends.
I M A BIG FAN OF HIM
ReplyDeleteRajesh Khanna(Dec 29,1942 - July 18,2012) - Superstar in the 70's died in Mumbai today Wednesday July 18,2012
ReplyDeleteFeeling very sad.Looking back at the old days and recollecting the memories.
Like Anand from the film, the man is gone. But the memories will live on.