Dimple Kapadia wants road to be named after Rajesh Khanna

Mumbai, Aug 10 (IANS) Bollywood actress Dimple Kapadia Saturday called for naming a Rajesh Khanna Road, in memory of her late husband, who is considered Bollywood's original superstar.

Dimple, the estranged wife of Rajesh Khanna, made the request to union Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Rajeev Shukla, who was present at the unveiling of a statue of the legendary actor here.

"He (Rajesh Khanna) was a Congress man. My request is that a road or a 'marg' be named after him. Also, if Carter Road could be named Rajesh Khanna road," Dimple said at a press conference here.

Rajesh Khanna had witnessed the biggest highs and lows of his life while he stayed at his Carter Road bungalow Aashirwad. He had also breathed his last at his iconic residence July 18, 2012 due to prolonged illness.

Shukla said he will take up the matter of naming a road after the actor, who gave five decades of life to entertaining movie buffs.

"His work and contribution was immense. I will take this wish up with the urban development ministry and see if a road can be named. He was a great parliamentarian and a very popular person.

"The concept of the superstar was started by him. Regarding Carter Road, I will have to talk to the Chief Minister if it has not been named after (music director) Naushad Ali-ji," he said.

Carter Road was reportedly renamed after Naushad Ali in 2008.