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Era of a legend- Rajesh Khanna

From the dizzying heights of fame to quiet shadows behind the arc lights, Rajesh Khanna's life

had a theatrical sweep, almost like one of his films. Bollywood's original superstar - simply the

phenomenon to some - died in Mumbai on Wednesday, leaving behind memories cast in

celluloid of that famous crooked smile and head tilt.

Game of the names

The luminary personality was awarded names for many facets in his personality. For some he

was the superstar or idol of acting. Others would tease him by calling Babu Moshay or kaka. For

a few he was the Casanova and for rest he was the legend.

He was deemed as a very striking personality since his childhood in Thakurdwarin central

Mumbai, where he was living with his foster parents. He was born on 29 th December 1942 at

Amritsar and was originally known as Jatin Arora. People around him had always regarded himas the hero of the industry because of his startling personality.

And the curtain rose for the show

Well, what was planned in the destinys pack of cards for Indias first superstar was unrevealed

to him. He, in 1965, contended All India Talent Contest organized by United Producers and

Filmfare which dug out around 10000 entries. Subsequently, after reaching the top 8, he won the

competition. As the predetermined prize, he bestowedAAKHRI KHATfollowed byRAAZ

produced by Chetan Anandand directed by Ravindra Dave. He soon started leaving his marks on

the screens and mesmerized audience in the theatres, who wanted to see him often and see him

more. Looking at the budding fad for him, producers without much ado, started offering him

movies. He got projects likeAurat, Doli and Ittefaq.

Sky was the limit!

He was then noticed for his performances in films like Baharon ke Sapne, Aurat.Then after

Aaradhana with Sharmila Tagore, he rose to "instant national fame" and film critics referred to

him as the first superstar of India. RAJESH KHANNA was the only name on the lips of the

people. He achieved unprecedented success with a record 15 consecutive hits, between the years

1969 and 1972. His impeccable acting in films likeAmar Prem,Daag,Mehbooba,Aradhana left

a deep impression on the masses. Khanna rose to prominence for portraying an emotional and

layered character of Anand that displayed Khanna's ease of outstanding acting skills.

Reaching the zenith of the stardom

His cheery screen presence, charming smile and the abilty to carry out his roles with notoriety

made him not only popular but also gave him significance of God. Mumtaz, who was his

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neighbor back then said in one of her interview that, Women came out in droves to see Kaka.

They would stand in queues outside the studios to catch a glimpse, they would marry hisphotographs, and they would pull at his clothes. Delhi girls were crazier for him than Mumbai

girls. He needed police protection when he was in public. I have never seen anything like this

before and since. Rajesh Khanna gave 15 consecutive super hits during 1969 to 1971, which is

still an unbroken record in Indian film history. Despite of the number of super hits there were 35golden jubilee contributed to the Indian cinema by the legendary actor. BBCalso made a film on

him, titled Bombay Superstar in 1974.

Musical Saga

Era of Rajesh Khanna gave the most melodious hits to the industry. During his epoch, Kishore

Kumar emerged, who later became the voice of super star. R.D.Burman, Kishor Kumar and

Rajesh Khanna was considered as the lucky combination for the movies. They bestowed many

songs together till 1991.

Love off the reel

The Megastar lover boy of the industry had not been much fortunate with the relationships.

Before entering the glamour world, he had been dating model of that time Anju Mahendra for 7

years, before meeting Dimple. He met Dimple at the sets of Bobby, who was then onl 15 and 15

years younger to him. His charming persona was fascinating and this seeded a new wave of love

in Dimples heart. The couple got married sooner. After marriage Rajesh Khanna did not allow

Dimple to work in movies. So, Dimple often used to accompany Rajesh Khanna on his movie

sets. However, their love did not last long and the couple started living separately. The reason for

their separation was that Rajesh Khanna was always busy with his films, so Dimple also decided

to comeback in films but Kaka wanted her to stay at home and take care of his two daughters,Twinkle and Rinkie. Also, his bad habits took a toll on their relationship. Interestingly, even after

living separately both of them never applied for divorce. In the meantime, Rajesh Khanna found

solace in the company of Tina Munim. She worked with Rajesh Khanna in many movies and fell

in love with him. But that relation also did not last long.

Rolling down the hill

The pace with which this fted icon clambered the stairs of success and fame, he rolled back

downhill with the same lick. Khanna came out of the blue, a virtual outsider to the world of

films. In half a decade he tasted such spectacular success that a new lexicon had to be adopted todescribe him: superstar, the phenomenon, megastar, to name a few. And every clich of fan

worship attached itself to him: screaming women, lipstick- adorned cars, sick kids brought by

mothers to heal, and so on. And then, as spectacular as the rise, came the fall. After 14

consecutive box office hits, seven clanging flops were as mortifying as they were mystifying.

"Today words like superstar and icon are loosely used. But he truly was a megastar. And before

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he got lost in a whirl of his own caricature, he knew his acting chops," says Jitesh Pillai, the

editor ofFilmfare, the magazine responsible for introducing Khanna.

Old habits die hard

Rajesh Khanna got everything in his life with a little of hard work and in his life. This made him

take the leisure and pleasure of taking things for granted. He had his unique style statement,

which made him stand out from everyone. But of late, his own signature style made him look

repetitive in every role. People were bored in seeing him as The Rajesh Khanna in every role.

He never fused himself into the character or the role of the movie. This made it difficult for him

to entice and hold the interest of the people for longer span. He could not become the household

face ever; he was always the man for whom one always had to go to cinemas

Vis-a-vis many stories about his bad and tampered demeanor was being read by the people in the

newspaper. He was said to be arrogant and moody actor. And in 70s, when the concept ofrelationship started from marriage and ended with it, they saw their idol indulged in flippant

activities with many women, which lampooned his image in minds of people.

The Bachchan wave of the 1970s killed Khanna's superstardom. Emergence of Bachchan in 70s

happened with the change in the social economic scenario. The people, then were busy into

making money, they wanted movie or the character that reflected the rage or angst they had in

their heart. It was not the time of romantic lovelorn movies.

Akhtar along with his scriptwriting partner Salim Khan, with creating the angry young man

persona for Bachchan, which is supposed to have turned the tide against the Khanna said that :

Khanna witnessed unbelievable popularity, such that no one had ever seen or imagined. In fact

from 1969 to 1973, it was a one-horse race.

Anand kabhi martanahiAnand marte nahiNo matter what people think of him or regard him as he was Indias first superstar and he lived

his life as majestically as one could. He had an appealing personality that people could relate to.

He will be remembered always for his magical style, ease at screen with head tilted and sparks in

the eyes. Who doesnt make mistakes in the life? There are two types of people in the world who

make mistakes and spend the rest in regretting and others are the one who make mistakes and

then doesnt let that mistake bother them. Rajesh Khanna definitely belonged to the later one. He

never cared what one thought of him. For him being a superstar in his own eyes was more

important than being star for the world. We salute of you for this Rajesh Khanna, the eternal idol

of love in the glorious history of Indian cinema.

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