Tuesday, March 18, 2008

Sharmila Tagore with Super Star Rajesh Khanna




Sharmila Tagore is an actress who balanced her career between 'art films' and popular cinema. In the 1970s she had a screen association with Rajesh Khanna (who was the film heart throb of heart throbs) that produced some of the all time classics of Bollywood social drama with films like "Aradhana" [1969], "Amar Prem" [1971], and "Safar" [1970]. With her trademark dimpled cheek, amazing bone structure, and wonderful figure she also headed the glamorous A list of popularity in Bollywood masala entertainers.
On screen Tagore seemed as much at home in a 'sizzling' and 'revealing' item number in a film like "An Evening In Paris" as she was in a quiet nearly silent portrayal as an inhibited youth as in Hrishikesh Mukherjee's "Anupama" [1966].
In 1997 Sharmila Tagore won the award for Lifetime Achievement at the Filmfare Awards. She is truly one of the great actresses of Indian Cinema.

Rajesh Khanna and Sharmila Tagore from "Amar Prem"(1971)



Super Star Rajesh Khanna had a prolific and successful collaboration with the singer Kishore Kumar and composer R.D. Burman. A large number of the songs they put to film are truly Bollywood Classics. In the film "Amar Prem" this collaboration produced two evergreen hits, "Chingari Koi Bhadke To Saawan" and "Kuch To Log Kahenge".

Super Star Rajesh Khanna





In many of his heroic roles Rajesh Khanna projected an assuredness and self confidant attitude worthy of his given screen name that means, 'king of kings'. But Rajesh was not packaged in a royal exterior, although he was quite handsome he had ruddy skin, pimples, was of slightly below average height, and was prone to pudginess. What magic he did have was a radiating disarming charm and sensitive sexiness. He was aloof, self interested, with graceful mannerisms that melted woman's hearts. Rajesh Khanna was Bollywoods ultimate romantic superstar.

At the peak of his fame 1969-1972 Rajesh Khanna was the cats pajamas in Bollywood. He experienced an adulation from the public that bordered on hysteria. When he married Dimple Kapadia legend has it that in reaction woman committed suicide. For a giddy moment in history he bridged the gap and hovered as the favored star between the 'classic' heroes of the 50s and 60s and the 'Angry Young Men' of the 70s.

Super Star Rajesh Khanna & Priyanka - Unveil Red Carpet Gold Trophy





Actress Priyanka Chopra and Super Star Rajesh Khanna greet each other during the announcement of Rs 1 crore Red Carpet Trophy, to be awarded to the best acting talent of the country, in Mumbai on 3rd August, 2006.

Rajesh Khanna - The phenomenon-III




Third Innings (1991-Till Date)
In 1991, Rajesh gave up movies and entered politics. He was part of the Congress party from 1991 to 1996, and served as Member of Parliament from the New Delhi constituency.

But in politics, too, his presence did not make much of a difference, like his contemporaries, Raj Babbar and Shatrughan Sinha.

In 1991, Rishi Kapoor cast him in his directorial venture Aa Ab Laut Chale, where Rajesh played Akshaye Khanna's father. The film did not work.

In 2001, he ventured into television, with serials like Aapne Parai and Ittefaq.

In 2006, Rajesh starred in forgettable films like Jana: Let's fall in Love opposite Zeenat Aman.

Rumour goes that he is likely to sign more films. We wish the superstar all the love and luck!

Rajesh Khanna - The phenomenon-II




Second innings (1981-1990)
After his low phase, Rajesh starred in several films with Mumtaz and Tina Munim, and rose to success again.

His best films with Mumtaz are Sachaa Jhutha (1970), Apna Desh (1972), Aap Ki Kasam (1974) and Aaina (1977).

Rajesh found love again in Tina Munim, and even produced a film called Alag Alag, starring the two of them. Some of their other hit films were Souten (1983), Aakhiri Kyun (1985) and Bewafai (1989).

But this relationship did not last either, and Tina left for California to finish her education. When she returned, she married industrialist Anil Ambani.

Rajesh Khanna - The phenomenon-I





Dimple (1973-1980)
In 1973, he married rising star, Dimple Kapadia. Her first film, Bobby, had not been released yet. Dimple was only 16 then, while Rajesh was 31.

Unfortunately, being married to a superstar was not easy. Dimple had to bow down to the pressures of being a star wife, as her life was constantly monitored. She had to now watch what she was wearing, whom she was seen with, whom she should mingle with...

This was also the time when Rajesh's decline began, and Amitabh Bachchan came into the fray. The two did hit films like Anand (pictured here) and Namak Haram together.

By now, Rajesh was drunk with his success, and his attitude was largely the cause of his downfall. He would be very arrogant on the sets. He would turn up late for film shoots, and be constantly surrounded by his 'yes' men.

Rajesh and Dimple had two daughters, Twinkle and Rinke. But soon after, the couple called it quits and headed for a separation.