Bollywood – strange place na. Some people put in their heart & soul and still are not able to climb the stardom ladder. And on the other hand we witness, new faces being tagged with celebrity status with their very first appearance. As it is often said "Out of sight, out of mind" – the very people who couldn’t get enough of you once upon a time, today don’t have few minutes to spare on you. Mind you, this not only happens to be the story of one-time actors but sadly, some yesteryear’s superstars as well.
I mean not everyone can boast of a filmy career graph as Amitabh Bachchan or be blessed with strong family support as Dharmendra paaji or be the head of India’s leading Tele-Production house, all thanks to his enterprising daughter. Today many of these past idols either earn a living by doing cameo roles in films/television shows or work behind the scenes. Some have completely given up the glamour business, while placing more importance on the family-time, which they couldn’t during their hay days.
And then you read about legendary megastars, someone like Rajesh Khanna and you can’t help but wonder what a real bitch life can be. I remember my mum fondly talking about those Rajesh Khanna frenzy days – how she and her gals bunked classes to watch his films, just his smile would melt the hearts of thousands of women, his pairing with actress Mumtaz was a sure-hit formula, his off-beat dancing style and above all his greatest performance in the film, Anand.
But those babu mushai days are long gone now. Today this very actor lives nothing but a pitiful life. He may be financially sound but money surely cant substitute for love, family or bring back those days of glory. Even though he is still married to actress Dimple Kapadia, they have been living separately since early 80s. Both their daughters are happily married and immersed in their professional lives. And that leaves him with nothing but loneliness and its disturbing side effects.
Recently Mumbai Mirror reported this incident –
The yesteryear superstar Rajesh Khanna was not at his best of behavior on Saturday evening at the launch of an entertainment company. A lady journalist who went up to the actor to exchange greetings and ask for his phone number was left perplexed when she was greeted with "46-36-46". An eyewitness who was present there says, "The lady seemed quite surprised at what the romantic hero of the ’70s was hinting at. He probably saw her expression and told her that it is a vital statistics of an average Italian woman. The lady didn’t know what had hit the actor." Apparently, Khanna was pre-occupied with vital statistics of his female colleagues during one of his outdoors last year.
Couple of months back there was another write-up over an incident where drunken Rajesh Khanna was nearly beaten by a man for whistling at his girlfriend near some cafe in Bandra. I think it was published in Mid-Day.
Looking at his sorry state, the first word that comes to mind is ‘Ironic’. Imagine living thru the extreme highs and lows in one life time. Many of us are envious of the stature achieved by these famous faces and all the perks that come along with celebrity-hood. But what about its downside? I for one wouldn’t wish it even for my enemies.
Comments
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M
Oct 17th, 2007 at 5:40 pm | #
His behavior is disturbing – no arguments about that but don’t you thing _some_ of the “sexual harassment” cases we’ve been reading about lately seem overhyped?
Whistling at random women is just lame but the 36-24-36 line, is it really worthy of prime-time attention in the press? These guys go totally overboard when there are celebs involved, Mumbai Mirror put the story about Aamir Khan’s brother on their front page! The front page of one of Mumbai’s most widely read papers and they can think of no more crushing issue the city faces than the mentally-disturbed brother of a movie star? What-the-fuck!
SHANTANU
Oct 17th, 2007 at 10:35 pm | #
If these ‘episodes’ are true, he’s certainly hit a new low. However, he’s been known to have displayed ‘disturbing behavior’ (to use M’s words above) towards women even during his stardom. And if some of the rumors of what led to his seperation from Dimple is true, even towards his (then) young wife.
Re: M’s comments above on ‘prime-time attention’. The press only deliver what we want to consume. The reality is most of us are voyeurs. Look at the popularity of reality tv shows; the ratings go sky-high when their is bitchiness on the show, not when everything is lovey-dovey. And when I said US, I don’t mean Indians. This is an universal phenomenon.
Broom
Oct 18th, 2007 at 10:51 am | #
I always thought him to be creepy.
Mintoo
Oct 19th, 2007 at 5:52 pm | #
The author should be acquainted with the recent activities of the First Indian Superstar Rajesh Khanna also, which have positive impact on his image. It seems that she has intentionally written the above article emphasising some ridiculous and unbelievable incidents about Mr. Khanna to humiliate and tarnish his image publicly. Rajesh Khanna is not alone; his whole family (wife, two daughters and son-in-laws) are with very much with him and recently renovating his own Bungalow Aashirwaad to present him as Gift on his coming Birthday, 29th December, 2007. Moreover,he has signed eight films recently and three of them are ready for release and Khanna is never out of sight and out of mind. Instead, being out of sight,he never be out of mind of his loyal audiences. Because he is a class performer India has ever produced and for this watchhis Love mark page at http://www.lovemark.com. Thanks,
Saakshi O. Juneja
Oct 23rd, 2007 at 5:43 am | #
M – I agree with you but as Shantanu mentioned, the bottom line fact is Bollywood does sell.
Shantanu – Wow, really? I had no clue about this. I had heard stories of his maasive tantrums but never of his cheapy behaviour.
Broom – Now me too find him creepy.
Mintoo – Whatever dude!
souvik chatterji
Feb 6th, 2008 at 8:09 am | #
great article. Rajesh Khanna made significant contribution in bollywood films in the 70s and most of his films are still remembered for strong storybase and good music.
Manohar
Mar 3rd, 2008 at 10:17 am | #
Rajesh Khanna is the real and only superstar of indian cinema
V. Manohar
Mar 27th, 2008 at 6:37 am | #
RAJESH KHANNA – THE GREATEST LEGEND & REAL SUPER STAR OF INDIAN CINEMA.
There are romantic leading men and there are romantic leading men, but very few have taken cinematic love to legendary heights. While there might be other icons but Super-Star- Actor Rajesh Khanna after four decades, he is the ultimate true romantic legend.
This has intentionally written the above article emphasizing some ridiculous and unbelievable incidents about Super Star Rajesh Khanna to humiliate and tarnish his image publicly.
Man Mohan Singh
Apr 17th, 2008 at 12:35 pm | #
Actually, you will never believe this thing that a legend is a legend and in one filed there is only one legend always so that he is called a legend as well as phenomenon. I am astonished that a person like Amitabh Bachhan and Sharukh Khanna etc. are the so called legend and badshah of the present time, who does not know at how to act. You just call the Film ANAND and see where this so called Amitabh was standing in the way of Rajesh Khanna and remember the Film Bawarchi in which Rajesh Khanna alone had stolen the whole picture and got his presence felt throughout the film. Once this so called legend (that too is due to the money he is spend upon the media to propagate him) and the relationships with his cheap political god fathers, he has been able to survive once when he was at the verge of bankruptcy. Everybody knows that once he had come together in a film with Dalip Kumar and his whole acting was lying at the foot of that Real Actor. Rajesh Khanna is alway great and he has never ventured till yet to sell himself as a petty broker as Amitabh Bachhan of selling pen, detergent, balm, pain killers, dhobi, nai etc. Do you think that people like Amitabh Bachhan and purchase the things. People do purchase the things because the purchasing power in India has already increased and the so called seller can not even advertise for the people of Indian are ready to purchase. But as far as the Histronic Potential of Rajesh Khanna are concerned, he is the only person with whom we can add the slogan “Greatness, legend, phenomen” not with the mockers of today. Remember I have not mentioned about his other hit and only hit films and also those films which could not do good business at the box office, as far as the performance is concerned, no body can beat him. Recall the film “Mere Jeevan Sathi” for instance.
Daman Khanna
Jul 13th, 2008 at 6:19 pm | #
Rajesh Khanna is one of the greatest living legends of the world. He is the legend who made people act good in the real life.
sheshadri
Sep 1st, 2008 at 6:53 am | #
It is true, Rajesh Khanna is a legend & I used to see his movies
three/four times.Haathi mere Saathi to list out is superb.I love to see Rajesh Khanna as of today.
Let me have his current photoes & his movies to see the said legend
V. Manohar
Jan 21st, 2009 at 6:09 am | #
Media misleading its totally fabricated story against super star rajesh khanna to defame him.
Dr Anil kumar vajpayee
Feb 15th, 2009 at 6:47 pm | #
i am planning to write a scholarly article on rajesh khanna, i will be extremely grateful to any person who can provide me with his contact details like residential address, phone no or email id. Actually i have no interest in films or film stars,but RAJESH KHANNA was not an ordinary actor or {just a superstar like amitab bacchan or shah rukh khan} but a phenomenon which remains unmatched even to this day,mob hysteria which he generated in early 70s cannot be imagined by the present generations.I dont think hindi cinema will ever have a more charismatic actor than him .Even after 40 years i hear his songs in the golden voice of kishore da where ever i go (like hotels resturants pubs bars buses marriages parties etc).There is something eternal about him and his movies. my id, anilapk6@rediffmail.com
Neeraj zutshi
Mar 5th, 2009 at 7:13 am | #
I would like to say Rajesh Khanna Is only real supperstar of ndian cenima Who in real terms dominated the scrteen. Just recall “KHAMOSHI” “MARYADA” AAPKI KASAM”"ROTI” “ANAND” “AMRIT” Even acting Symbol Sanjev Kumar could not out do him in a.k.k It would be foolish of those who have really forgottenthe lurels he brought o Indian Cenima. I myself m aqn actor and at so many times ireally try to get an idea to perform the role given to me from this legend Rajesh Khanna.
javed sain
Mar 12th, 2009 at 6:12 pm | #
would like to say Rajesh Khanna Is only real supperstar of ndian cenima Who in real terms dominated the scrteen. Just recall “ROTI” “ANAND” “AMRIT” Even acting Symbol Sanjev Kumar could not out do him in a.k.k It would be foolish of those who have really forgottenthe lurels he brought o Indian Cenima. I myself m aqn actor and at so many times ireally try to get an idea to perform the role given to me from this legend Rajesh Khanna.
sunil parikh
Mar 23rd, 2009 at 12:32 pm | #
hi,
i feel rajesh khanna is the best friend of mine ,he is a great star in the fim industry today also ,i love him lot ,adre him lot,
rwespect him lot ,he is still my personnel friend of mine
sunil parikh
shailesh parikh
HM
May 9th, 2009 at 1:14 pm | #
This is a piece of trashy writing…Recently my friend visited Rajesh Khanna at his Carter Road Bungalow. Rajesh is hale and hearty and enjoying his life. All this about his life being pitiful etc are just bullshit….
I suspect the author is just another disgruntled element who has been refused an appointment for interview by a bollywood Superstar…and this is the way of taking it out………
HN
Dec 26th, 2009 at 12:05 am | #
I am from Trinidad West Indies.I grew up looking at the films of Rajesh Khanna. The world has never gotten enough of him .There is something about Rajesh Khanna that leaves his audience spelbound. His lifting and twisting of his right hand and twisting of his head whilst slowly closing, or so it seems ,of his eyes and that immortal smile on the silverscreen made Rajesh Khanna more than just an actor. His was a trademark that make you want to follow him. I am a radio presenter and will be presenting a two hour special on his birthday Dec 29 2009 I am quite sure I will never to do justice to this great actor in a two hour program. After all Rajesh Khanna is the only superstar of the Indian film industry but we must also remember that Kishore Kumar’s songs played a pivotal role in the making of Rajesh Khanna. What is more interesting is that he was not from a dynasty of film stars therefore he carved a niche for himself by himself.