'Achcha to Hum Chalte Hain': Rajesh Khanna Bids a Quiet Adieu
Pics: Rons Bantwal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai
Mumbai, Jul 18 (IANS): Rajesh Khanna, who epitomised superstardom in Hindi cinema in the 1970s with such immortals as "Anand", "Kati Patang" and "Aradhana", left for a "nice and heavenly place" Wednesday morning, his son-in-law and actor Akshay Kumar announced. He was 69.
Rajesh, Bollywood's first superstar and perhaps the only one to have reached those dazzling heights of fame, died at his home Ashirwad after a long battle with suspected liver problems.
His demise brought back memories of the charmer, lover and hero that he was to his family, fans and well-wishers. For them, his magic will remain forever.
"He has gone to a nice and heavenly place, we are happy about that," Rajesh's son-in-law Akshay Kumar, married to his elder daughter Twinkle, said after his death around 10 a.m.
When news of his critical health first came out on June 20, legion of his fans expressed concern. A day later, he stepped out in the company of Akshay Kumar and estranged wife Dimple Kapadia to tell his fans that all is well.
But clearly it wasn't.
He was a shadow of himself, gaunt and ravaged by illness, with glares covering the famous face that would once reduce women to a swoon.
On June 23, Kaka - as he was popularly known in the film world - was in the hospital, and the stay stretched for 15 days. Just a week after he was discharged, he was back to the hospital bed due to "weakness", but was allowed to go home soon after.
Though family members maintained he was "fine", Rajesh was said to be critical Wednesday morning and breathed his last at his Bandra home.
His family - estranged wife Dimple Kapadia and daughters Twinkle and Rinke - were by his side during his last moments, those close to the family said.
Film celebrities like Amitabh Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, Abhishek Bachchan, Shabana Azmi, Sajid Khan, Farah Khan and Prem Chopra came to his residence to pay their respects after news of his demise spread.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and Information and Broadcasting Minister Ambika Soni were amongst the political leaders who condoled the death of the star.
Thousands of his fans and industry members are expected to turn up for the funeral, scheduled at 11.30 a.m. Thursday.
Rajesh's death has brought the curtains down on an era in Hindi cinema - an era he defined with his prowess in romantic and emotional roles, an art that has inspired and continues to inspire several young actors and his legion of fans.
Summarising the phenomenon that Rajesh Khanna was, Anupam Kher said that "he gave us a crash course in romance. He introduced us to a special twinkle in the eyes that made us feel good about ourselves. Rajesh Khanna taught us how to smile. He added dignity to our concept of romance."
In his career spanning almost five decades, the actor featured in about 160 films, starting with "Aakhri Khat" in 1966.
Bollywood's original superstar - simply the phenomenon to some - leaves behind memories cast in celluloid of that famous crooked smile and head tilt. From the dizzying heights of fame to quiet shadows behind the arclights, Rajesh Khanna's life had a theatrical sweep, almost like one of his films.
In an era long before this age of instant connect of mobile phones and internet, Rajesh Khanna was the man who sparked a frenzy never seen before and never since, not even by the likes of Amitabh Bachchan.
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'.
Truly, "O mere di ke chain"!
Kaka, as he was popularly known, was one of the highest paid actors of his time, his record of consecutive solo super hits still unbroken. Who can forget the years between 1970-1979 when he starred in mega hits like "Safar", "Kati Patang", "Sachaa Jhutha", "Aan Milo Sajna", "Anand", "Amar Prem" and "Mere Jeevan Saathi". Ever the urbane, suave romantic who wooed like few others.
Glory and fame galore came his way with the two 1969 films - "Aradhana" and "Do Raaste" - where he teamed up with two of his best co-stars, Sharmila Tagore and Mumtaz, respectively. Both the films were super hits. Hindi film's first superstar was born.
Between "Aradhana" in 1969 and "Prem Kahani" in 1975, Rajesh enjoyed god-like status.
It was all about charisma - a certain something that went beyond the art of acting. He had that unique way of delivering a dialogue, of crinkling his eyes and that interesting head tilt that were all his own - and designed to get fans swooning.
Describing the charm of Rajesh Khanna, Amitabh once said: "I got famous purely because I was working with Rajesh Khanna in 'Anand'. People asked me questions like, 'How is he to look at? What does he do?'"
The mega story had a small beginning in Amritsar. Born Jatin Arora on Dec 29, 1942, he was adopted and raised by foster parents.
He went from being Jatin to Rajesh, thanks to his uncle who changed his name, when he decided to join films.
In 1965, the journey to filmdom started after he won the All India Talent Contest organised by United Producers and Filmfare. He made his debut with "Aakhri Khat" in 1966.
It was a fairly easy road to superstardom after that.
He became the heartthrob of the nation, singing timeless melodies like "Mere Sapnon Ki Rani..." in "Aradhana", "Zindagi Ek Safar" in "Andaaz" or "Yeh Shaam Mastani" in "Kati Patang". Singer Kishore Kumar and composer R.D. Burman were amongst his closest friends.
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.
Rajesh proved his mettle in offbeat films too. He teamed up with Hrishikesh Mukherjee for the critically acclaimed "Bawarchi" and "Namak Haram". The quintessential romantic also did the intense "Avishkar", directed by Basu Bhattacharya.
But then age caught up and the star began fading away.
He moved to television and played the main lead in two serials - "Ittefaque" and "Apne Paraye" during 2001-02 and also featured in "Raghukul Reet Sada Chali Aayi" between 2008-09.
The decline to B-grade films was inevitable. There was also the sorry "Wafa" with Laila Khan, who was found murdered this July.
He dabbled in politics, being Congress MP from the New Delhi constituency from 1991-1996.
Like the Hollywood legends of yore, the personal life also had a larger than life dimension.
He fell in love with Dimple Kapadia, who was only 16 and whose first film "Bobby" was yet to release. She was 15 years younger to him but the pull was strong and they got married after a whwhirwind romance in 1973.
It was the stuff of tabloid headlines. They had two daughters Twinkle and Rinke. The marriage lasted only 11 years.
It was a lonely life for Rajesh after that. He disappeared from the headlines and appeared to be a shadow of his former self in his rare public appearances.
But the family came together in his last days. His estranged wife was the one who took care of him during his illness. Son-in-law Akshay Kumar was also a great comfort.
Like Anand from the film, the man is gone. But the memories will live on.
His last few public appearances came as a shock to his fans. His last screen appearance was an ad for Havells fans, an eerie intimation of what was to come with Kaka reminiscing in an empty auditorium and music from his films echoing in the background.
"Babumoshai," he intoned deeply - the affectionate Bengali address he made all his own after "Anand".
That voice has been silenced.
Filmography:
1960s
-1966 "Akhri khat"
-1967 "Raaz"
-1967 "Baharo Ke sapne"
-1967 "Woman"
-1968 "Shrimanji"
-1969 "Khamoshi"
-1969 "Doli"
-1969 "Bandhan"
-1969 "Aradhana"
-1969 "Ittefaq"
-1969 "Do Raaste"
1970s
-1970 "Safar"
-1970 "Kati Patang"
-1970 "The Train'
-1970 "Sachaa Jhutha"
-1970 "Aan Milo Sajana"
-1971 "Mehboob Ki Mehandi"
-1971 "Maryada"
-1971 "Guddi"
-1971 "Dushman"
-1971 "Andaz"
-1971 "Anand"
-1971 "Haathi Mere Saathi"
-1971 "Choti Bahu"
-1972 "Shehzada"
-1972 "Mere Jeevan Saathi"
-1972 "Malik"
-1972 "Dil Daulat Duniya"
-1972 "Bawarchi"
-1972 "Apna Desh"
-1972 "Anuraag"
-1972 "Amar Prem"
-1972 "Joroo Ka Ghulam"
-1973 "Daag: A Poem of Love"
-1973 "Raja Rani"
-1973 "Bombay Superstar"
-1973 "Namak Haraam"
-1974 "Badhti Ka Naam Dadhi"
-1974 "Aap Ki Kasam"
-1974 "Prem Nagar"
-1974 "Ajanabee"
-1974 "Avishkaar"
-1974 "Roti"
-1975 "Prem Kahani"
-1975 "Aakraman"
-1976 "Maha Chor"
-1976 "Ginny Aur Johny"
-1976 "Bundal Baaz"
-1976 "Mehbooba"
-1977 "Tinku"
-1977 "Karm"
-1977 "Chalta Purza"
-1977 "Anurodh"
-1977 "Tyaag"
-1977 "Aaina"
-1977 "Chhailla Babu"
-1977 "Hatyara"
-1977 "Palkon Ki Chhaon Mein"
-1977 "Aashiq Hoon Baharon Ka"
-1978 "Chakravyuha"
-1978 "Bhola Bhala"
-1978 "Naukri"
-1979 "Muqabla"
-1979 "Janta Hawaldar"
-1979 "Bebus"
-1979 "Amar Deep"
-1979 "Prem Bandhan"
1980s
-1980 "Bandish"
-1980 "Red Rose"
-1980 "Phir Wohi Raat"
-1980 "Aanchal"
-1981 "Bharosa"
-1981 "Dushman Dost"
-1981 "Kudrat"
-1981 "Sundara Satarkar"
-1981 "Dhanwan"
-1981 "Dard"
-1981 "Fiffty Fiffty"
-1982 "Rajput"
-1982 "Ashanti"
-1982 "Dil-E-Nadaan"
-1982 "Dharam Kanta"
-1982 "Ayaash"
-1982 "Jaanwar"
-1983 "Avtaar"
-1983 "Souten"
-1983 "Agar Tum Na Hote"
-1984 "Asha Jyoti"
-1984 "Dharam Aur Qanoon"
-1984 "Awaaz"
-1985 "Zamana"
-1985 "Hum Dono"
-1985 "Masterji"
-1985 "Bewafai"
-1985 "Aakhir Kyon?"
-1985 "Alag Alag
-1985 "Babu"
-1985 "Awara Baap"
-1986 "Angaaray"
-1986 "Amrit"
-1986 "Anokha Rishta"
-1987 "Sitapur Ki Geeta"
-1987 "Nazrana"
-1988 "Vijay"
-1989 "Main Tera Dushman"
-1989 "Ghar Ka Chiraag"
1990s
-1990 "Jai Shiv Shankar"
-1990 "Dushman"
-1990 "Swarg"
-1991 "Ghar Parivaar"
-1991 "Begunaah"
-1994 "Khudai"
-1999 "Aa Ab Laut Chalen"
2000-2008
-2001 "Pyaar Zindagi Hai"
-2002 "Kyaa Dil Ne Kahaa"
-2008 "Wafaa"
As Producer:
-1985 "Alag Alag"
-1989 "Police Ke Peeche Police"
-1990 "Jai Shiv Shankar"