Original Super Star - Rajesh Khanna

I’m the original superstar

Looking forward to his 69th birthday, Rajesh Khanna reveals his latest movie plans and how he still ‘hates tears’

Amrapali Sharma / Kunal M Shah


Posted On Wednesday, December 28, 2011 at 03:51:11 AM

Rajesh Khanna, after his recent bout of ill health, is happy to celebrate his 69th birthday with his family. With son-in-law Akshay throwing a big bash in Goa for his birthday on December 29, Mumbai Mirror asked the superstar about his feelings. “We have come closer in recent times,” said Khanna and added, “Recently, after my house was renovated, both my daughters came for the pooja. They decorated the mandap and the pandit had come down from Tirupati. We are celebrating another occasion together now.”

Refusing to dwell on his recent bout of illness, Khanna simply said, “Both my doctors are abroad. So, I had to consult another set of doctors.”

Claiming that he is now in the pink of health, he announced that he has signed three films with ‘top producers’. “With all the experience, I will give a third dimension to these films. These films will project Rajesh Khanna in a different way. I would like my fans to come and watch me in the theatre,” he added.

Though he is excited to get back to work, Khanna isn’t ready for politics. “Rajiv Gandhi asked me to contest elections. I couldn’t refuse him. Now, there is only films, films and films in my blood,” said the yesteryear superstar.

Having no regrets in his life, the superstar revealed that if given a chance, he would like to be born again as Rajesh Khanna and do the same things that he has done in life. In fact, he added, “I would repeat the same family, the same friends, the same producers, same happiness, same unhappiness and the same heart burns.”

Reminiscing about his films, Khanna said, “I hate tears. I don’t like tears in personal life either. I have always played characters that are strong. They have emotions but it never comes out in the form of tears. However, in Amar Prem, it did. The tears came and so, in the end, my character asked ‘Pushpa, yeh aansoo kahaan se nikal aaye?’”

Refusing to cry ever in his life, the superstar reiterated, “God has given me happiness. He showed me sad times. I have to be brave. I was born to give people happiness and laughter. I was born to entertain.”

Akki’s yacht party for father-in-law

Rajesh Khanna shares his birthday - December 29 - with his daughter Twinkle Khanna. And the family is headed to Goa for the big celebration. Mirror has learnt that son-in-law Akshay has pulled out all the stops for the big bash, which will be held on a yacht. The take-off point will be Akshay’s Portuguese bungalow at Anjuna beach.

A family member told Mirror, “One superstar is organising a party for another. It is surely a big day. Akshay is extremely close to his mother-in-law Dimple Kapadia. Although the family tries to get together every year on December 29, this year, they wanted it to be extra special.

Being a foodie, Akshay has also decided to fly down two celebrity chefs from Mumbai for the occasion. Akshay’s mother, his sister Alka, mother-in-law Dimple, wife Twinkle, sister-in-law Rinke and son Aarav have already reached Goa and are currently spending some quality time together.

An excited Khanna confirmed the news and added, “On the stroke of midnight, we will cut a cake. There are some 25 people who will be there.” In fact, Akshay has taken special care to keep this a totally family affair. None of his colleagues have been invited, though two of Khanna’s friends are on the guest list.


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My First Break - Rajesh Khanna

My First Break - Rajesh Khanna
As told to Ranjan Das Gupta
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Rajesh Khanna
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How It Happened

I was a discovery of the talent hunt for actors by United Artists. Being selected as a potential actor did have me pinning high hopes to make it big on the silver screen with my performances. My idols were and still are Guru Dutt, Meena Kumari and Geeta Bali. My inspirations include, Dilip Kumar's dedication and intensity, Raj Kapoor's spontaneity, Dev Anand's style and Shammi Kapoor's rhythm.

Though “Aakhri Khat” is my first film, I received my first break as a leading actor in Ravindra Dave's, “Raaz” in 1967. My heroine was Babita, already a popular actress then. Though I had lots of confidence, I was shy in facing the camera initially. In my first three shots, I had to perform with stress on my body language and dialogue delivery. Though I was right with my dialogues, my movements were not up to the mark. Ravindra Dave explained me my scenes and movements very clearly correcting my way of walking.

How It Felt

I consider “Aakhri Khat” a memorable film of my initial days. It was out and out a director's project and Chetan Anand, highly imaginative and sensitive director handled the film with expertise. I still clearly remember how cinematographer Jal Mistry shot the song sequence, “Ab Na Ja” on me and Indrani Mukherjee in five to six close ups also picturising the natural panorama of the Himalayas with rare aesthetics and perfection. My most challenging scene in “Aakhri Khat” was the last one where I am in a pensive mood in silence till I recognise my son, Bunty. Chetan Anand used to wake me up with late night phone calls so that my face had the ideal pathos oriented look.

How Life Changed

Followed “Baharon Ke Sapne”, “Doli”, “Ittefaq” and then came “Aradhana” in 1969 which made me what I am. I have had a number of hits but my most memorable performances are in “Dushman”, “Anand”, “Amar Prem”, “Avishkar” and “Avtaar”.

I will be really ungrateful if I do not make a special mention of late Uttam Kumar, the greatest living actor of my times. He had a divine screen presence with a God gifted smile and dialogue delivery. While shooting for “Amar Prem” the Hindi Version of Uttam Kumar's, “Nishipadma”, I confessed to director Shakti Samanta, I will consider myself really lucky if I can perform even 50 per cent of what Uttam Kumar did.

(As told to Ranjan Das Gupta)


Published by :
http://www.thehindu.com/arts/cinema/article2032058.ece