Remembering Rajesh Khanna: From being an Amritsar boy to Bollywood’s first superstar
‘Rajesh Khanna: The Untold Story of India’s First Celebrity’
“There was an extended queue of ladies from 9 to ninety exterior the studio the place we labored.”
Within the audiobook, Sharmila Tagore, celebrity Rajesh Khanna’s favorite co-star, mentions that ladies got here out in droves to see him. She additionally highlights how they’d stand in queues exterior the studios to catch a glimpse of him, marry his pictures, pull at his garments and what not. Greater than only a heartthrob, Khanna was an idol to them. She says “There was an extended queue of ladies from 9 to ninety exterior the studio the place we labored. The hysteria was unprecedented.” Sharmila additionally mentions, “He (Rajesh Khanna) in all probability didn’t have the attributes which are usually related to a hero, what he had was a disarming smile, youthful vitality and an innate sense of drama and a well-modulated voice which he used to his fullest benefit.” To this, Yasser Usman provides, “Principally remembered as a romantic actor as he had a weak misplaced air about him that made ladies of all ages really feel protected round him”.
“The information of Rajesh Khanna tying a knot ended up changing into the largest occasion of the 12 months. Hoards of ladies had been left coronary heart damaged, a few of them went right into a state of shock, whereas some who beforehand married his picture determined to put on white to represent widowhood.” As per journal Devi your complete act of his marriage ceremony with Dimple Kapadia was “nothing extra however a publicity stunt for no matter it was value.”
“Rajesh Khanna is completed. If he thinks this third fee shot was nice, clearly his thoughts wasn’t working.”
In an altercation a couple of retake for a scene (in Aradhana), Rajesh Khanna checked out director Shakti Samanta straight within the eyes and stated “isse higher efficiency aapko India mei koi nahi dega.” To which Samanta later confided, “Rajesh Khanna is completed. He’s useless. If he thinks this third fee shot was nice, clearly his thoughts wasn’t working.” However the historical past books would disagree since Aradhana was part of Khanna’s steps in the direction of stardom.
One other such incident occurred on the units of the 1979 film Janta Hawaldar. Famous comic-actor Mehmood complained that working with Khanna was a “harrowing expertise”. “Mehmood even beat up Khanna earlier than the top of filming,” tells Yasser. “Mehmood complained that it was the corporate that Khanna saved that destroyed his profession.”
“His fascination for whiskey and love for meals began displaying greater than he would have favored.”
With greater than three flop films in a row and the not so “cute boy” appears to be like, Khanna might see his profession coming to an finish in entrance of his eyes. “Most filmmakers thought that Khanna’s off-screen troubles seeped into his work. He was well-liked sufficient to draw roles however his failures made him a second-round star. Rajesh and his movies had ceased to create historical past. Including to this, Yasser within the audiobook mentions “His fascination for whiskey and love for meals began displaying greater than he would have favored.”
“From the years 1969 to 1972, you can see his (Rajesh Khanna’s) title in any dialogue for Hindi Cinema as he was the face of mainstream cinema then.”
A boy with massive goals Jatin Khanna, hailing from Amritsar adopted the on-screen title ‘Rajesh’ and who knew that it could be etched within the reminiscences of so many hearts throughout the globe. He did it the arduous manner as Yasser tells, “In the course of the United Producers Mix Expertise hunt contest (1965), Jatin used his well-modulated voice to engross the judges with every passing line as he delivered a monologue throughout the finals, which made him beat 10000 individuals.” He provides, “Rajesh Khanna’s struggles ended the day signed his contract with the United Producers Mix.”
