Saturday, September 15, 2012

Rajesh Khanna- "The Original Superstar of Indian Cinema"




Birth:- 29th December 1942, Amritsar.
Mother's Name:-Leela wati Khanna.
Father's Name:- Chunni Lal Khanna.
Death:- 18th July 2012 , Mumbai                                                                                                  
  He was born as Jatin Arora in 29th Dec 1942. Chunni Lal and Leela Wati Khanna adopted him, who already had three daughters. They were relatives of his biological parents. After his adopation,he was known as Jatin Khanna. And lived in Saraswati Niwas in Thakurdwar near Girgaon, Mumbai. He attended St. Sebastian's Goan High School along with Ravi Kapoor who later took the stage name Jeetendra.

He was interested in theatre n drama and did alot stage and theatre plays and won many prizes in that. Rajesh Khanna did his two year Bachelor of Art at Wadia College, Pune from 1959 to 1961. later He studied in K. C. College, Mumbai with his old friend. He also tutored Jeetendra for his first film audition. Khanna's uncle changed his first name to Rajesh when he decided to join films.

During 1960s and 1970s he dated fashion designer and actress Anju Mahendur. They were in relationship for seven years. Due to some reasons they were split up. Anju stated that ' we didnt speak to each other for 17 yrs after the breakup.'later he meet Dimple Kapadia and he proposed her for marriage. They get married in March 1973, Eight months before Dimple's Debut film Bobby released and has two daughters Twinkle and Rinke.
Dimple separated in 1984, as his schedule kept him away much of the time. She became interested in pursuing an acting career, and thereafter lived seperately, but didnt took divorce. In 1980s, Tina munim was romantically involved with Khanna till the time she decided to leave industry to pursue her higher studies.

Following a few years of separation, the relationship between Dimple and Khanna blossomed once again, and remained that of close friends. Their elder daughter Twinkle Khanna, an interior decorator and also a Hindi film actress, is married to actor Akshay Kumar and younger daughter Rinke Khanna, also an Indian actress is married to an entrepreneur Sameer Saran. According to several sources, khanna was in living with Anita Advani as live in partner from 2004 till his death in 2012. Same sources claim that, Advani was not his
partner.

He was one of eight finalists in the 1965 All India Contest organised by United Producers and Filmfare. Rajesh Khanna Started his filmy carrer in 1966. His first film was 'Akhari Khat' directed by Chetan Anand, followed by 'Raaz' opposite heroin Babita, but neither was a big success. After that his  'Aurat' 1967, 'Khamoshi' and 'Aradhana' 1969 were more successful at box office. Established as a popular protagonist, he appeared in many romantic, melodramatic and social films, often appearing with the same actresses such as Sharmila Tagore, Mumtaz, Hema Malini and Asha Parekh.

During the peak of his career, he would be mobbed during public appearances. Fans kissed his car, which would be covered with lipstick marks, and lined the road, cheering and chanting his name. Female fans sent him letters written in their own blood.

He had a lot of hits films between 1969 to 1975. Such as Aradhana, Do-Raste, Bandhan, Doli, Saccha Jhuta, Aan Milo Sajana, Safar, Anand, The Train, Hathi Mere Sathi, Dushman, Maryada, Andaz, Amar Prem, Apna Desh, Daag, NAmak Haraam, Prem Nagar, Aap ki Kasam, Roti.During late 70s and early 80s Khanna had a string of box office flops. But he met with more success with Critically acclaimed box office hits such as 'Amardeep','Thodi si Bewafai', 'Dard', 'Dhanwaan', 'Avtaar', 'Agar tum na hote', 'souten' etc. He also did few multistar films waith central characters such as 'kudrat', 'Rajpoot', 'Dharam Aur Kanoon', 'Ashanti' etc.

He was very close relationship with R.D. Burman and Kishore Kumar. They had a great working relationship, were very close friends and have worked together in more than thirty films. From the early nineties onwards he stopped acting and served as an M.P. of New Delhi constituency from 1991 to 1996. During that period, he returned to acting, appearing in Khudai(1994). He made a come back as a NRI in 'Aa Ab Laut Chalen' and Kya Dil Ne Kahaa.
 
In June 2012, it was reported that Rajesh Khanna's health had been deteriorating for some time, On 23 June he was admitted to Lilavati Hospital in Mumbai due to health complications. He was discharged on 8 July from the hospital and was reportedly fine. On 14 July, Khanna was readmitted to the Lilavati Hospital but
was discharged on 17 July. He died the next day, 18 July 2012, at his bungalow, Aashirwad, in Mumbai.

Since 2011 as he was diagnosed with cancer. After his death his co-star Mumtaz said that Khanna was suffering from cancer since a year and had undergone chemotherapy sessions. His funeral took place on 19 July at 11:00. He died in the presence of his wife Dimple Kapadia, daughters Rinkie Khanna and Twinkle Khanna, son-in-law Akshay Kumar, grand children and other close relatives. His pyre was lit by his grandson, Aarav, with the assistance of Akshay Kumar. Amitabh Bachchan cited that Khanna's last words were "Time is up", "Pack up". In his special recorded message to his family, friends and fans which was played on his "chautha" he thanked and saluted his friends and fans for the love they showered on him. On 25 July 2012, the ashes of veteran actor were immersed in holy Ganges by his wife Dimple Kapadia and daughter Rinke Khanna.