Mumbai, Jul 26 (PTI): Late actor Rajesh Khanna had left behind a farewell message, which he specially recorded for his family, friends and fans recounting his cinematic journey from entering a talent hunt contestant to becoming Bollywood's first superstar.

The message was played on his 'chautha' Saturday after the Hindi film phenomenon passed away on July 18.

In the message, the veteran actor thanked all his fans and talked about his acting career, the talent contest which led to his entry into Bollywood.

"Mere pyaare dosto, bhaiyo aur beheno, nostalgia mein rehene ki aadat nahi hai mujhe. Hamesha bhavishya ke baare mein hi sochna padtaa hain jo din guzar gaya hai, beet gaya hai, uska kya sochna... lekin jab jaane pehchane chehre anjaan se ek mehfil mein milte hai toh yaadein wapas tazaa ho jati hai," Khanna said in a recorded message.

(Dear friends, I don't have a habit of dwelling on the past and living in nostalgia... we have to always look forward to the future... there is no point thinking about things that have passed by.... But when we meet familiar faces in unfamiliar circumstances... old memories come rushing back.)

The 69-year-old iconic actor also spoke about how he began his career as a theatre artist when there was no godfather whom he could turn to.

"My journey began with theatre. I owe my success to the stage. This theatre is where it all began when I joined the film industry. I had no godfather, no relatives or family that I could turn too. I came into the movies through the United Producers Filmfare Talent contest," the message said.