http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0268449/

Aarav will be next Superstar : Rajesh Khanna

They say that if there was ever a superstar in the Indian Film Industry, it had to be Rajesh Khanna. There may be romantic leading men and icons in Bollywood but there is and will be only one superstar for his ability to take cinematic love to legendary heights. Why couldn't anybody replace him? Why since four long decades 'Kakaji's' superstar status is still not passed on? Because he had the biggest and the maddest fan following, especially his female fans. They would write love letters to him soaked in blood. They would kiss his car and faint. They wouldn't marry anybody in their life for they dedicated their life to Rajesh Khanna. His fashion and style statement was evident in all the colleges across India. Such was the impact of a man who, with the rigorous use of his voice to communicate a character's lines like 'Pushpa...I hate tears' and 'Babumushai...zindagi jo hain woh badi honi chahiye, lambi nahi' express emotions, which he achieved through attention to diction and commitment to his character. Devansh Patel met the real and the reel superstar who, with his trademark smile and pose, delivered those famous lines from his film Anand and in the ten minutes which we were given, spoke in length about his IIFA Lifetime Achievement Award, how the word 'Kakaji' was born, his superstar status, his film Anand which inspired the country, his first love and first super hit Aradhana, his one liner to describe Kishore Kumar and Bollywood's next superstar, his grandson Aarav. Congratulations on your Lifetime Achievement Award you've received at this years IIFA Macau. Thank you so much. But this is not my first Lifetime Achievement Award. I've already got a Filmfare Lifetime Achievement when the black lady turned into gold. Then I was presented one during the Stardust Awards too. IIFA is a different feeling all together. IIFA is a very prestigious award and is no less than an Oscar. IIFA is a heritage of participating to highlight the culture of India to the various countries of the world. This is also the first time I'm attending all the three days of the IIFA Weekend and I'm really looking forward to it. The entire world knows you as 'Kakaji'. Please tell us how the word 'Kaka' became so synonymous with Rajesh Khanna? That's interesting. 'Kaka' in Punjabi means a small little baby. When I came into films, I was called 'Kaka' because I was young and small and with a bit of respect they added 'Ji'. That's how the world famous 'Kakaji' was born. Indian Film Industry's first ever superstar. Women kissing your car, women writing love letters to you in blood, your style of dressing and talking. Everything you did was tagged as superstar. No matter who they are. Whether they are Hindu, Muslim, Sikh, Christian or any other community, I will always be grateful to my audience. In the corner of their heart, all of them have given me a small little space, stored and bestowed me with their love and affection. I would also like to thank my co-stars who've made me become an actor, then a star and then a superstar. Being a superstar isn't an individual achievement but it's the almighty above there who thinks he likes me. All departments of our film industry made me an actor to a star to a superstar. When people are on the verge of a near collapse and some who don't have much time to spend with their loved ones, all advice to watch Rajesh Khanna's Anand. How did you come to know this? You're right. Even today, people advice to watch Anand simply because it was a path breaking film which had a path breaking dialogue, "Hum toh is rang manch ki katputliya hain aur hum sab ki dor upar wale ke haath mein hain. Kaun kya kab yeh koi nahin jaanta. Isliye babumushai...hey babumushai, zindagi jo hain woh badi honi chahiye, lambi nahin honi chahiye. Itna pyaar zyaada accha nahin hain". People cried a lot during this final scene of the film because somewhere it touched their sentiments. Anand also gave them an inspiration and a reason to live. Let's talk about your first big super hit Aradhana. Aradhana was the first stepping stone towards my success. After that film, I never had to look back. For that, my tribute goes to my favourite Late Mr. Shakti Samant. I've worked with him in lots of films. He gave me lot of encouragement, lot of affection and never made me feel that Aradhana was my first super hit. Not many know but I was working with yet another superstar heroine Sharmila Tagore in Aradhana. At that time she was more famous than I was and did not give me the complex that I was a newcomer. She is one of the most beautiful and sophisticated ladies I've ever seen. Aradhana will always be my first love. They say that you were the one who gave Kishore Kumar his second innings with Aradhana. I will just sum this up in one sentence. I told Shakti Samant that Kishore Kumar was my soul and I was his body. How is the relationship you share with your son-in-law Akshay Kumar? Can you recall those moments of sweet gestures between you two, the fatherly advice, etc? I told Akshay that he works in nice films. My advice to him was that he should dance, he should entertain, he should do good action but overall I did tell him to work in films that have a purpose and stop working in films like the Khiladi series. Other than that, Akshay is doing a fine job. You proud of your family tree? Of course yes. I am very proud of this family because of the family tree. It's coming down from Rajesh Khanna to Dimple Kapadia. From Dimple to Twinkle Khanna to Rinke, it moves to my son-in-law Akshay Kumar and to my grandson Aarav. I'm, saying this in public today that after Rajesh Khanna the superstar, the next in line will be Aarav, and I'm not saying this because he is the son of Akshay Kumar but because he will carry the talent, the dedication and the sacrifice which everyone of us has carried in our family. Aarav will be Indian Film Industry's next super star. Published by : http://fungool.blogspot.in/2009/06/aarav-will-be-next-superstar-rajesh.html

Riteish Deshmukh with Rajesh Khanna

Riteish Deshmukh launches Legends Walk Upala KBR, TNN Dec 17, 2011, 12.00AM IST Tags: (

) The actor is readying a boulevard in Bandra that will be similar to the Hollywood Walk of Fame, with star handprints embedded into the sidewalk Riteish Deshmukh has grand plans. The actor is has launched a project called the Legends Walk, similar to the Hollywood Walk of Fame (where over 2,400 celebrities have been given "stars" which have been embedded into the sidewalk), Grauman's Chinese Theatre (in front of which over 200 stars have left their hand and foot impressions) and Leicester Square in London (which is also surrounded by floor-mounted plaques with star names and handprints). While these cultural monuments have served as inspiration, Riteish promises that his project will be different. Published in : http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-12-17/news-interviews/30525385_1_shashi-kapoor-riteish-deshmukh-salim-khan

CINEMA ‘Walk of the Stars' Super Star Rajesh Khanna

When the stars descend HARSHIKAA UDASI

now goes to London and Dubai UTV Stars' much-awaited project now gears up for an international debut. UTV Stars, the Bollywood entertainment channel, which had announced late last year the launch of Bollywood Walk of Fame in Mumbai, akin to Hollywood's prestigious Walk of Fame, has finally fixed a March launch of its project. The channel's business head Nikhil Gandhi and his team have been collecting on an average four handprints everyday from top Bollywood stars to ensure a full house. Encouraged by the response to the concept (now officially named Walk of the Stars), UTV Stars now plans to launch a similar ‘walk' in Delhi, and also in London and Dubai. “When we first announced the project, we were encouraged by the excitement it generated within the industry. We also received feedback on how it can be enhanced. Meanwhile, we realised that there is a sizeable NRI population that should also be catered to,” says Nikhil. That propelled the channel to look beyond Bandstand at Bandra in Mumbai. “There is a lot of work to be done. We have to take note of the weather conditions in each of the cities we propose to go to. We have to customise our handprints and decide whether to make them in metal or marble,” he adds. For the international locations, UTV Stars is looking at local tie-ups. ‘Walk of the Stars' will also include life-size brass statues of six Bollywood legends — Raj Kapoor, Shammi Kapoor, Dev Anand, Dilip Kumar, Rajesh Khanna and Amitabh Bachchan. “We wanted a special section dedicated to the legends. It will make for a grand display,” says Nikhil. While handprints of actors such as Sharmila Tagore, Meena Kumari, Shammi Kapoor, Shabana Azmi, Sridevi, Kareena Kapoor, Sonam Kapoor and Ranbir Kapoor have been confirmed, UTV Stars is looking at including Southern superstars in the project. “We are in talks with Rajnikanth, Mohanlal and Venkatesh for the same,” says Nikhil. Published by :

http://www.thehindu.com/arts/radio-and-tv/article2879437.ece

Super Star Rajesh Khanna

NEVER BEEN A WHINER * India * Feb 08, 2012

Yesteryear superstar Rajesh Khanna on the mantra that has kept him going LIPIKA VARMA There was a time when seven theatres out of ten would run his films and all went house full. Then came a time, when actor Rajesh Khanna was seen playing the sacrificing father, big brother or the dogooder at large and yet fans would jump every time Indias first superstar would move his finger to deliver a dialogue. Then came the 90s and the star disappeared into oblivion as the new generation took charge. His last public stint was as an MP, which was not successful. But tell all this to the grandfather and the actor flashes his heart winning smile and says, " I have never been a whiner or a grumbler. I don't have any qualms about my experience in politics. I do agree that I made some mistakes. But then to err is human. I may have been tagged as the 'super star', but in reality I am an ordinary man, who had his moments of strength and weakness too." Looking in pink of health, the actor also admits of turning a teetotaler for the first time in his life and credits wife Dimple Kapadia for the same. " With Dimple back in my life, I am living a good family life again. This is the best phase of my family life I can say, and I am enjoying every minute of it," says the actor who was recently conferred the Lifetime Achievement Award. But talk about films and filmmakers and the screen legend turns nostalgic. " I have lived life like a king. I did some really good films and was loved immensely by my fans. Thanks to them, I have had the best run as a star," says the 'Anand'hero who turns a bit pensive while talking about his notso- good comeback as a character artiste. The move, says the star, " wasn't something, I as a hero was prepared for. But then filmmakers of my time had stopped making films, so there was little choice. But thanks to the new generation I did play some really good roles, which suited my age." However, in spite his blink and miss comeback, Rajesh Khanna follows the industry with a hawk eye. And appreciates the changes that the film industry has seen in the recent. " Technique wise and finance wise, films today are way bigger than those of our time. Plus with multiplexes coming up everywhere, films have become truly an enhanced experience. The film industry is clearly moving towards a bright future," says the star, whose smile would set a thousand hearts beating. But prod him on a possible third appearance onscreen and the actor looks at you intently, smiles and says, " My grandson is my priority. He is very close to me. His antics give me immense joy." Clearly, the man has lived his season on screen and how! Source : http://www.freepressjournal.in/news/46936-never-been-a-whiner.html

Onscreen chemistry of Super Star Rajesh Khanna and Mumtaz

They were one of the hottest on screen couples in the Hindi cinema industry. And when Mumtaz married immediately (almost in a hurry) after Rajesh Khanna's wedding to Dimple Kapadia, people started speculating about a more serious bond between the on-screen couple. However, neither Khanna nor Mumtaz ever hinted at a romantic liaison. Captured by ace lensman Jagdish Aurangabadkar on the sets of their 1969 film Bandhan, this picture shows the two actors in an intimate sequence from the film. The film Bandhan was the second consecutive film starring Khanna and Mumtaz. After their first film together Do Raaste, filmmakers trying to capitalize on their successful on-screen chemistry, signed both Khanna and Mumtaz in their ventures. And the jodi never failed to work. The film Bandhan, thanks to Narendra Bedi's direction, Kalyanji Anandji's hit music and the onscreen chemistry of Khanna and Mumtaz, went on to gross a formidable Onscreen chemistry of Rajesh Khanna and Mumtaz

Kaka should sue the idiot journalist who defamed his photo of kaka with amisha. utter garbage and filthy imagination. Just o drive traffic to the webs

Veteran Rajesh Khanna has been accused of having a roving eye in the past. And this picture, taken at a recent event, isn’t good news for the yesteryear star’s degenerating image
There was a time when Babu moshai (Rajesh Khanna) would croon a Ye shyam mastani or a Zindagi ek safar and all the girls would go weak in their knees. Things have changed over the years and the yesteryear star is sinking into oblivion with every passing day. We get to see him only occasionally when makes an appearance or two in award functions and events.
We recently spotted him at the Apsara Awards staring at Ameesha Patel from the corner of his eye. Though we won’t deny that Ms Patel is looking superhot and anybody would slip in a matter of seconds (irrespective the age), we think the Anand actor should have at least tried to make it a little less obvious. We must say that even the thought of an old man staring at someone his daughter’s age makes us feel nauseated. We wonder if Ameesha even realised that Kaka was ogling at her! But we suggest that instead of getting himself into embarrassing situations like these Kaka should keep himself busy with activities like gardening, reading or playing with his grandchildren. If nothing, that could at least help him improve his image!


Sources :

http://www.centralchronicle.com/is-rajesh-khanna-ogling-at-ameesha-patel.html
http://movies.ndtv.com/PhotoDetail.aspx?Page=27&ID=12204#talk
http://www.topix.com/forum/who/rajesh-khanna/TQ52MKNB2C3BD8V3L

An extract from ‘The Charisma of Rajesh Khanna’, a column from the pages of ‘Quest’, September-October 1971

It is rumoured that his disarming smile costs Rs. 1.4 million. Young women devour him with hungry eyes in the afternoon darkness of cinema halls. Mothers witness his filmic deaths with helpless pangs of frustrated protectiveness. Young adult males project themselves into his limelit presence on the screen and later yearn to recreate themselves in his image. Millions of Indians queue up for long hours to see him break into his smile, get drunk, become furious, whisper love-words or burst forth into a husky, vibrant played-back song. If there is one person in India today who surpasses the Prime Minister’s charisma, he is Rajesh Khanna. The multimillion rupee Hindi film industry which prolifically produces stereotyped dreams unanimously regards him as the only authentic super-star it has so far produced. He is what makes a sure-fire box-office hit. Even films with all the essential ingredients for making a sure flop have run for weeks just because he starred in them. His success is so phenomenal that it challenges anyone who pretends to understand mass behaviour.



He is of medium height and build. He has mannerisms of his own which show through whatever character he plays—or perhaps that is unfair to him. His producers and directors want him to play no other character but his own unique self. He has a rare plasticity: that which makes a natural actor, something which James Dean had impressed upon movie-addicts during his meteoric Hollywood career. For he gives the sense that he lives his assumed role, however crudely it is scripted and directed. Yet he will not get an Elia Kazan or a George Stevens to direct him. And his hurt-youth image, which is a factor in his success, will gradually age.

Star power: Rajesh Khanna (left) and Amitabh Bachchan in Anand. Chitre wrote in Quest that Khanna found his best script and director in this film.

Star power: Rajesh Khanna (left) and Amitabh Bachchan in Anand. Chitre wrote in Quest that Khanna found his best script and director in this film.
The best script and director he got so far was in the film Anand, directed by Hrishikesh Mukherjee who is one of the better directors in the world of commercial Hindi cinema. His worst role was the one in Haathi Mere Saathi in which he plays a sort of elephant-boy and in which one of the three corners of the conventional love triangle is occupied, of all animals, by elephants.

Curiously, Rajesh Khanna is considered a hero worth killing—which is amazing since in Hindi films it is a taboo to kill the hero. Curiously too, he has to die of cancer. He died of cancer in Safar and again in Anand. In Safar he is the leukaemic lover of a would-be doctor. In Anand, he is a cancer patient who spends his limited spell of life to make people around him happy. In Andaz he dies in a motor-bike accident for a change. Is it, one wonders, the expression of a mass death-wish? Some fifteen years ago, Dilip Kumar, the matinee idol then, specialized in dying as a hero. However, Dilip Kumar’s screen deaths brought no shock to the audience since he moved and spoke, from the start, as if he were his own pall-bearer. Rajesh’s screen deaths have some novelty: he is a warm, ebullient, vivacious, blithe young man. Even if he is destined to die, it seems unfair and too early. One has seen teenage girls sob witnessing him die. Or heaving unmistakably erotic sighs when he sings a love song (with the inimitable Kishore Kumar play-back singing for him). For the first time in the history of commercial Hindi cinema a single person has acquired such a following.

Rajesh Khanna with Asha Parekh in Kati Patang

Rajesh Khanna with Asha Parekh in Kati Patang
What has Rajesh Khanna got that others haven’t? He does have acting talent. But there are others who are much better. He is good-looking. But that is neither here nor there. He is certainly not very handsome. What is it then?

Excerpted from The Best of Quest, edited by Laeeq Futehally, Achal Prabhala and Arshia Sattar, published by Tranquebar Press, 2011, Rs. 695.

In the book’s last piece, ‘D.’ reveals his identity for the first time ever—he is the late poet and essayist Dilip Chitre.



Source :
http://www.livemint.com/2011/11/11210634/Excerpt--To-die-for.html