Remembering Rajesh Khanna(December 29,1942 – July 18, 2012) on his 73rd Birth Anniversary Dec 29,2015

Rajesh Khanna was one of eight finalists in the 1965 All India Talent Contest organised by United Producers and Filmfare from more than ten thousand contestants.Subsequently, Khanna won the contest

Rajesh Khanna made his film debut in the 1966 film Aakhri Khat directed by Chetan Anand

Rajesh Khanna appeared in a total of 180 films - 163 feature films and 17 short films


Rajesh Khanna was the solo lead hero in 106 films

Rajesh Khanna had 15 consecutive solo hit films between 1969 and 1971. These were Aradhana, Doli, Bandhan, Ittefaq, Do Raaste, Khamoshi, Safar, The Train, Kati Patang, Sachaa Jhutha, Aan Milo Sajna, Mehboob Ki Mehendi, Dushmun, Anand and Haathi Mere Saathi.
He had 17 consecutive hit films as the lead hero from 1969 to 1972 which included 15 solo hero films and 2 non solo hero films Andaz(1971)and Maryada (1971)

Rajesh Khanna had 35 Golden Jubilee Hits (which means the films ran for more than 50 weeks in theatres across India) in the period 1967–1975, three more in 76–78 and 35 more in the period 1979–1991. He also had 22 silver jubilee hits (that is films ran in theatres for more than 25 weeks) in the period 1966–1991

Music remained one of the biggest attractions of all Rajesh Khanna films throughout his carer

Rajesh Khanna married the then budding actress Dimple Kapadia in March 1973, before her debut film Bobby released in November of that year

Rajesh Khanna won 3 Filmfare Awards and was nominated for the same 14 times.

• Best Actor for ''Sachaa Jhutha '' in 1971
• Best Actor for ''Anand'' in 1972
• Best Actor for ''Avishkaar'' in 1975

Rajesh Khanna received

• Special Filmfare Award for completing 25 years in the Indian Film Industry in 1991
• Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award in 2005

A bronze statue of late legendary actor Rajesh Khanna was unveiled a few years ago at Bandra Bandstand.

10 of his most memorable films

Torn between two women, Rajesh Khanna beautifully brings out the emotions in his 1973 film 'Daag: A Poem of Love'.

 

Anand: Rajesh Khanna infused life in Hrishikesh Mukherjee's 'Anand' where he plays a patient who suffers from cancer who believes in living life to the fullest. It is still considered one of his best roles.

Hrishikesh Mukherjee gave Rajesh Khanna another hit with 'Namak Haraam'. Amitabh Bachchan and Rajesh Khanna yet again shared the screen for this film. The film became a success at the box office

 

Asit Sen's 1969 film is known for its fabulous performances by Rajesh Khanna and Waheeda Rehman. 'Khamoshi', wherein Rajesh Khanna played a patient, became a hit due to its songs and powerful performances.

 

Kati Patang: Shakti Samanta's film took Rajesh Khanna's popularity to another level with his film. The story of a man who falls for a widow was well received by the audience and got Rajesh Khanna more fan following

 

Bawarchi: Romance was not just the forte of Rajesh Khanna, the actor broke the myth with Hrishikesh Mukherjee's 1972 comedy 'Bawarchi'. Rajesh Khanna's performance as a cook in the film was much appreciated

 

Aradhana: Rajesh Khanna and Sharmila Tagore became a hit onscreen couple after the success of 'Aradhana' in 1969. The two immortalized love onscreen and were later paired together in a number of films

 

Aap ki Kasam: Rajesh Khanna plays a jealous husband in J Om Prakash's 1974 film 'Aap Ki Kasam' and doubts the fidelity of his wife. Known for its songs and spectacular performances by the stars, 'Aap Ki Kasam' makes it to the list.

 

Amar Prem: Who can forget the most popular line 'Pushpa..I hate tears'? Rajesh Khanna's role in 'Amar Prem' was much appreciated in the film.

 

Ittefaq: Breaking away from the concept of the usual singing and dancing in Bollywood films, Yash Chopra's 'Ittefaq' was new in many ways. It was the first time that Rajesh Khanna was paired opposite Nanda. Also, the actor played a painter who is tried for murdering his wife in the thriller. The film was a semi-hit at the box office