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