RIP Kaka

The first original Superstar of Hindi Cinema, Rajesh Khanna nicknamed ‘Kaka’ by his adoring fans is no longer amidst us. But his films, mannerisms and that endearing smile will forever stay in the memories of his millions of fans who loved him and his films.

 

Rajesh Khanna, who charmed his way into the hearts of millions of swooning women in the 1960s and 70s, died yesterday at the age of 69 years. Khanna shot to superstardom with the 1969 hit ‘Aradhana’ opposite Sharmila Tagore and essayed a variety of roles with ease in his illustrious career spanning four decades and 163 films. He will be best remembered for his portrayal as a cancer patient in the Hrishikesh Mukherjee-film ‘Anand’ (1971) that left many teary eyed.

 

His mega hits like ‘Safar, Amar Prem, Kati Patang, Sachaa Jhutha, Aan Milo Sajna and Mere Jeevan Saathi’ created a record for most consecutive hits by a star. His charismatic persona was enough to hold audience, his unique dialogue delivery carried with that charming smile and head tilt made his fans swoon. It was this smile and twinkling eyes made him the darling of millions. He was the heartthrob to whom female fans wrote letters in blood. They lined the streets he took, covered his car with kisses leaving lipstick marks, married his photographs and wrote love letters to him in blood while young men would sport his hairstyle.

 

During his illustrious career Khanna gave record (till date) 15 consecutive solo superhits between 1969 and 1972 including ‘Aradhana, Do Raaste and Haathi Mere Saathi.’ He carved a niche for himself in Bollywood dominated in those days by the troika of Dilip Kumar, Dev Anand and Raj Kapoor and the likes of Shammi Kapoor and Rajendra Kumar. If Khanna's rise to fame was meteoric, so was his fall from stardom. By the late 80s his charm at the box office had waned but it did not affect his personal charisma.  

 

Born on 29 December 1942 in Amritsar, Punjab as Jatin Khanna, Rajesh Khanna was adopted by relatives of his parents.  He attended St. Sebastian Goan High School in Girgaum and later joined Kishinchand Chellaram College as an undergraduate.  Success at a talent contest held by United Producers and Filmfare in 1965 was all that set him on the road to filmdom  and he made his  debut next year in the film ‘Aakhri Khat’ opposite Indrani Mukherjee.

 

There were many charming ladies that Khanna worked with, but Mumtaz and Rajesh Khanna was one of the most successful screen pair in Hindi Cinema. They have had 100 per cent success ratio at the box office with 8 blockbusters. Teaming up with best of Bollwwood talent Kishore Kumar and R.D Burman, Rajesh Khanna gave some of the most memorable songs like ‘Mere Sapno Ki Rani (Aradhana), Yeh Shaam Mastani (Kati Patang) and Zindagi Ek Safar (Andaaz).’ 

 

His romance and marriage to Dimple Kapadia in 1973 was a tabloid sensation (she was 15 years younger than him) the estrangements kept them apart, till they came together, like a true Bollywood drama, during his illness. Rajesh Khanna joined politics in early nineties and was elected Member of Parliament (representing New Delhi as his constituency) for a 5 year term from 1991 through to 1996.

 

The veteran actor, lived a secluded life of late, recently appeared for a film advertisment of a well known brand of fan, his faces and eyes sunken. Khanna won three Filmfare Best Actor Awards and was nominated for it 14 times. He was awarded the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award in 2005. The commercial success of his films declined during 1976–78. After 1978, Khanna starred in critically acclaimed films such as ‘Amardeep, Phir Wohi Raat, Dard, Dhanwan, Avtaar and Agar Tum Na Hote.’  

 

RIP Kaka! you will always be in our hearts.