Bollywood's Original Superstar Rajesh Khanna died in Mumbai on Wednesday 18 July 2012, in his 69 years, leaving behind memories cast in celluloid of that famous crooked smile and head tilt. It is a shocking news for the whole Country and the Film Industry. Rajash Khanna cracked 15th Hit Film in a row, he was precious for the whole country. Khanna was also a former Lok Sabha MP.
The veteran actor had been battling withhealth issues for a long time and was frequently admitted to hospital in the last few months. The prime Minister ManMohan Singh, Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi also expressed grief at the death of the first superstar of Bollywood.
Anju Mahendru was his girl friend in 1967-1972, the then aspiring actress but they had breakup in 1972 when Anju was not ready for marriage and Khanna married his fan Dimple Kapadia, who was half his age in 1973, six months before Raj Kapoor's Bobby released in theaters. Khanna's pairing with Mumtaz always produced much success as they had all of their eight films together as major golden jubilee hits.His films with Sharmila Tagore, Asha Parekh and Zeenat Aman was a favorite with audiences too in 70's. From 1976 onwards till 1978, his films started flopping unexpectedly although his performances and the film's music were praised by critics and thereby his successful run at the box office ended. Khanna bounced back with Amardeep and then again started giving many critically acclaimed and commercially successful films starting from 1979 till 1991.K.Balaji , Tamil film actor and producer, wanted to establish himself in Hindi film industry as a producer and thereby wanted to remake his Tamil film Dheepam, which had starred Sivaji Ganeshan in the lead role, in Hindi. At a time when Khanna's films were not working at the box office, Khanna got this film out of the blue and went on to become a big hit.In the 80's his films opposite Tina Munim, Hema Malini, Shabana Azmi, Smita Patil and Poonam Dhillon were big hits. He produced three films and co-produced 3 films. He left film industry in 1991 and entered politics by joining the Congress Party in 1991 and became a member of parliament. He is still adored and fondly remembered by the masses. Songs from his films adorn the lips of youth and adolescents. He was the first mega-star and has left behind a storehouse of the finest moments in film history. Jatin Khanna, the first superstar of Indian and Hindi Cinema, was born on 29 December 1942 in Amritsar, Punjab, India. He was adopted by relatives of his biological parents. When Jatin took an interest in acting, his rich foster father disapproved, however, Jatin persisted and won the Filmfare Talent Contest in the early 1960s.His uncle advised him to replace his first name from Jatin to Rajesh while entering in film line. He made his debut in the off-beat 'Aakhri Khat' opposite Indrani Mukherjee, thus was born Rajesh Khanna. After dating for seven years with his girlfriend-costume designer, Anju Mahendru, Khanna broke up with her and got married to Dimple Kapadia in 1973. Subsequently he became the father of Twinkle, born in 1974 on the same date as he himself, who would later become actress in her own right. His second child, also a daughter, Rinke, was born on 29 June 1977, and also became an actress. Rajesh was the sole Superstar of Indian and Hindi Cinema from 1969-1976 but had a bad phase from 1976-78 and so has to share Superstar of Hindi Films status with Amitabh from 1977-1991. Khanna acted as the main lead hero from 1966 to 1991 till he the time he joined politics in 1991.In the period 1976-78 Khanna continued to act in many critically acclaimed movies but they failed at box office as violent movies, along with multi star films became popular. Khanna tasted success at box office again from 1979 till 1991. His married life came to an end with Dimple separating from Khanna in 1984. The same time, due to being constantly paired up opposite Khanna, Tina Munim fell in love with Khanna. Tina and Khanna were the top most romantic pair in the eighties. Tina decided to discontinue her film career in 1987 and thereby even their relation ended.Then again relation between Dimple and Khanna blossomed and they even did a film together Jai Shiv Shankar. Rajesh decided to join politics in early nineties and was elected Member of Parliament for a 5 year term from 1991 through to 1996 representing New Delhi as his constituency. He also starred in 3 movies during this period. He does continue to appear on the tinsel screen as the central character in few films post 1998.
Rajesh played the main lead in two serials 'Ittefaque' and 'Apne Paraye' on television during 2001-02 and in Raghukul Reet Sada Chali Aayi in 2008-09.
He was the winner of six Filmfare awards and was nominated for fourteen times.He holds the maximum number of BJFA awards for the best actor - four and was nominated for the same 25 times.
Rajesh Khanna History
Rajesh Khanna born on 29 December 1942, Amritsar, Punjab, India. His first name was Jatin Khanna, in the beginning of his career Rajesh Khanna was referred to as "faaltu hero" because of his facial features, his eyes in particular, which were not liked by the aesthetes of the time. His flop debut, 'Aakhri Khat' (1966), seemed to prove that he was indeed not made for the screen. He was known as Kaka, RK, King of Romance, First Superstar of Indian Cinema.
Rajesh Khanna, the superstar of Indian Cinema, entered Hindi films in the latter half of the 1960s. He first tasted success with hit films like Baharoan Ke Sapne, Raaz and Aurat and he was appreciated for his performances in box office dud Aakhri Khat.Rajesh Khanna achieved overnight super-stardom with Shakti Samantha's 'Aradhana" (1969). His role in Khamoshi were greatly appreciated.He became the craze of the nation, and critics started calling him the First Superstar of both Indian Cinema (No. 1 Actor) and Hindi Films and remained so alone as the Superstar for 7 years (1969-1975) and had to share the status with Amitabh from 1977-1991 till he left films to join politics in 1991.
Anju Mahendru was his girl friend in 1967-1972, the then aspiring actress but they had breakup in 1972 when Anju was not ready for marriage and Khanna married his fan Dimple Kapadia, who was half his age in 1973, six months before Raj Kapoor's Bobby released in theaters. Khanna's pairing with Mumtaz always produced much success as they had all of their eight films together as major golden jubilee hits.His films with Sharmila Tagore, Asha Parekh and Zeenat Aman was a favorite with audiences too in 70's. From 1976 onwards till 1978, his films started flopping unexpectedly although his performances and the film's music were praised by critics and thereby his successful run at the box office ended. Khanna bounced back with Amardeep and then again started giving many critically acclaimed and commercially successful films starting from 1979 till 1991.K.Balaji , Tamil film actor and producer, wanted to establish himself in Hindi film industry as a producer and thereby wanted to remake his Tamil film Dheepam, which had starred Sivaji Ganeshan in the lead role, in Hindi. At a time when Khanna's films were not working at the box office, Khanna got this film out of the blue and went on to become a big hit.In the 80's his films opposite Tina Munim, Hema Malini, Shabana Azmi, Smita Patil and Poonam Dhillon were big hits. He produced three films and co-produced 3 films. He left film industry in 1991 and entered politics by joining the Congress Party in 1991 and became a member of parliament. He is still adored and fondly remembered by the masses. Songs from his films adorn the lips of youth and adolescents. He was the first mega-star and has left behind a storehouse of the finest moments in film history. Jatin Khanna, the first superstar of Indian and Hindi Cinema, was born on 29 December 1942 in Amritsar, Punjab, India. He was adopted by relatives of his biological parents. When Jatin took an interest in acting, his rich foster father disapproved, however, Jatin persisted and won the Filmfare Talent Contest in the early 1960s.His uncle advised him to replace his first name from Jatin to Rajesh while entering in film line. He made his debut in the off-beat 'Aakhri Khat' opposite Indrani Mukherjee, thus was born Rajesh Khanna. After dating for seven years with his girlfriend-costume designer, Anju Mahendru, Khanna broke up with her and got married to Dimple Kapadia in 1973. Subsequently he became the father of Twinkle, born in 1974 on the same date as he himself, who would later become actress in her own right. His second child, also a daughter, Rinke, was born on 29 June 1977, and also became an actress. Rajesh was the sole Superstar of Indian and Hindi Cinema from 1969-1976 but had a bad phase from 1976-78 and so has to share Superstar of Hindi Films status with Amitabh from 1977-1991. Khanna acted as the main lead hero from 1966 to 1991 till he the time he joined politics in 1991.In the period 1976-78 Khanna continued to act in many critically acclaimed movies but they failed at box office as violent movies, along with multi star films became popular. Khanna tasted success at box office again from 1979 till 1991. His married life came to an end with Dimple separating from Khanna in 1984. The same time, due to being constantly paired up opposite Khanna, Tina Munim fell in love with Khanna. Tina and Khanna were the top most romantic pair in the eighties. Tina decided to discontinue her film career in 1987 and thereby even their relation ended.Then again relation between Dimple and Khanna blossomed and they even did a film together Jai Shiv Shankar. Rajesh decided to join politics in early nineties and was elected Member of Parliament for a 5 year term from 1991 through to 1996 representing New Delhi as his constituency. He also starred in 3 movies during this period. He does continue to appear on the tinsel screen as the central character in few films post 1998.
Rajesh played the main lead in two serials 'Ittefaque' and 'Apne Paraye' on television during 2001-02 and in Raghukul Reet Sada Chali Aayi in 2008-09.
He was the winner of six Filmfare awards and was nominated for fourteen times.He holds the maximum number of BJFA awards for the best actor - four and was nominated for the same 25 times.
Spouse : Dimple Kapadia
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(1973 - 1984) (separated) 2 children
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Trivia : Hindi megastar
Father of actresses Twinkle Khanna and Rinke Khanna. Became a grandfather when Twinkle gave birth to a son, Araav in 2002 and then again in 2004 when Rinke gave birth to a daughter. He was adopted by his rich parents who were relatives of biological parents. Rajesh Khanna was Member of Parliament for New Delhi constituency from 1991-1996. He has been a Congress activist since 1990 and has campaigned for Congress party since 1984 at the insistence of Rajiv Gandhi. Enjoyed a godlike status in the period 1969-1976 with female fans writing letters in blood to him that is for eight years. The hysteria was unique and unseen before Khanna came into the film industry. Jeetendra and Rajesh Khanna studied as batch-mates in same school St. Sebastian Goan High School in Girgaum and went to Kishinchand Chellaram College for college. Khanna recommended actor Jeetandra to go into movies and even taught Jeetendra how to by heart and deliver lines in drama and films. Father-in-law of superstar Akshay Kumar. He is a life member of International Film And Television Research Centre and International Film And Television Club Of Asian Academy Of Film And Television. Known as the first Superstar of Hindi Cinema. He formed a great team with Singer Kishore Kumar and Music Director R D Burman and together they have given such songs which are immensely popular even today.Pancham composed music for 40 films of Rajesh Khanna and Kishore sang in 91 films for Khanna. The RD-Kishore- Rajesh Khanna combination worked in 32 films.
Rajesh Khanna holds record for most number of win for Best actor award in Bengal Film Journalist Association Awards (4 awards) and most number of nominations in BFJA awards (25 nominations) for Best Actor. He has won Filmfare Best Actor Awards for 3 times and was nominated for 14 times.
The pair Rajesh Khanna-Mumtaz holds the record for being the only romantic on screen pair in both Indian and Hindi Cinema to have had 100% success ratio at the box office. Rajesh Khanna has 8 blockbusters opposite Mumtaz.
Rajesh Khanna used to sit for music sessions with the music directors and singers for the films with him in lead role. He used to select the tune best suited for the film and used to give suggestions to the music directors.
Rajesh Khanna stood by the bad times of R.D.Burman in the late eighties and ensured producers of his films take R.D.Burman as the music director for his film. Even after death of Kishore Kumar, Rajesh Khanna worked with R.D.Burman till R.D's death. Similarly Khanna backed Kishore Kumar, during Kishore's lean phase as playback singer and insisted to producers and composers to make Kishore sing songs in his films.
Kishore Kumar and R.D.Burman were Rajesh Khanna's closest friends in the film industry. He always insisted on having Anand Bakshi as the lyricist of the songs in his films.
Highest paid Indian actor in 1970-1979 and shared the highest paid actor tag with Amitabh in 1980-1987 period.
Khanna has done 180 films in 40 years from 1966-2011. Of them 163 are feature films as an actor and 17 short films in other capacities.
Rajesh Khanna lent his voice to plays like Albert Camus' "Caligula", directed by Arun Kuckreja to mark in Delhi to mark Ruchika Theatre Group's 20th anniversary celebrations in February 1992.
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