Abt Rajesh Khanna

If you were to name a superstar of the Hindi film industry of a few decades ago, Rajesh Khanna would definitely be amongst the first few recalled. Though he took the entire industry by surprise with his performance when he made a start, he has had his share of ups and downs in life.

Jatin a.k.a Rakesh Khanna was the adopted son of his parents. He tried theatre in the beginning and then United Producers' Talent Contest found him, which was when he stepped into movies. As any other actor, he had to struggle earlier as his debut film, Akhri Khat in 1966, failed to make a mark for himself. But, when Aradhana came along in 1969, there was no looking back for the artist. A star was born as Rajesh Khanna gave a splendid performance as a father and son, both air pilots. He established a new identity for himself through his mannerisms. The audiences took an immediate liking to the crinkling of his eyes and the shake of his head. To add to the aura of his personality was music composer S D Burman. With songs like Mere Sapnon ki Rani, Kora Kaagaz Tha Yeh Man Mera, Roop Tera Mastana, Gun Guna Rahe Hain Bhawarein and Baaghon Mein Bahar Hai, Aradhana was declared a super- hit. Next was Do Raaste which met with a similar fortune.

Later till 1972, Rajesh Khanna was a persona never witnessed in Bollywood earlier. Films after films went house- full till announced hit and women across the nation went gaga over him. It was the time when Rajesh Khanna admitted to be feeling 'Next to God.' He probably was the first superstar of the Hindi Cinema. Besides, Khanna was sure he didn't want to stereotype his image as a romantic hero. With films like Khamoshi in 1969, Safar in 1970 and Anand in 1970, the star proved himself as an all- round actor. Anand was perhaps one of his most sensitive performances ever as he played the character of a man suffering from cancer and yet wanting to life to the fullest. Through the film, he justified Frank Capra's quote, 'Tragedy is not when actors cry but when the audiences cry', as each and every person in the audience wept with Amitabh Bachchan towards the climax when he dies. His guest appearance in Shammi Kapoor starrer Andaaz in 1971 marked the end of the Kapoor ear and the beginning of the legend known as Rajesh Khanna.

He had been paired with the most popular actreses of the time like Waheeda Rahman, Nanda, Mala Sinha and Hema Malini, but, he was most preferred with Sharmila Tagore and Mumtaz. The BBC made a film on him, Bombay Superstar, and there was an essay in a textbook prescribed by the Bombay University called, 'The Charisma of Rajesh Khanna!'

With director Shakti Samanta, music composer R D Burman and singer Kishore Kumar, Rajesh Khanna created some valuable films like Kati Patang in 1970 and Amar Prem in 1971. His Bawarchi came in 1972 with Hrishikesh Mukherjee. Eventually, though he delivered equally good performances in Mukherje's Namak Haram and Basu Chatterjee's Aavishkaar in 1973, his career graph had started dropping. Nevertheless, his films like Daag in 1973, Aap ki Kasam, Prem Nagar and Roti in 1974 kept him from being completely dragged off the field. Also, as Amitabh Bachchan made a grand entry with Zanjeer in 1973 with his 'angry young man' looks, Rajesh Khanna's career was a disaster as film after film bombed at the box- office. Yet, he was in the limelight with the sensational news of his marriage to the 'Bobby Girl', Dimple Kapadia, who is 15 years younger to him.

With Amitabh ruling the box- office, new genre of films was the flavour of the year and Rajesh Khanna's romantic ways now seemed faded. His teaming up with his old directors like Shakti Samanta and Hrishida also didn't work as Ajnabi in 1974, Mehbooba in 1976, Anurodh in 1977 and Naukri in 1978 flopped miserably. To add to the despair, his personal life was also on the rocks as his wife Dimple Kapadia left him to get back to her career.

Though greatly depressed, Rajesh Khanna firmly believed in the spirit of 'Never say die.' With Amardeep in 1979 and Thodi si Bewafai in 1980, the actor started to make his presence felt all over again in the industry. And later in 1983, he was back with a bang with a hat- trick of Agar Tum Na Hote, Avtaar and Souten.

That was the end of the era that he ruled and Rajesh Khanna took to a new route. He entered politics in 1990s and also served as a Member of Parliament with the Congress- I Party. Yet, his yesteryears are always with him as he made a comeback in Rishi Kapoor's Aa Ab Laut Chalen in 1999 starring Akshaye Khanna and Aishwarya Rai. Meanwhile, he will soon be seen on TV with his debut serial Batwara.