Happy Birthday to the Superstar, Rajesh Khanna

The man who became the first “Superstar” of Hindi cinema with his screen savvy ways and romantic aura. The man, who during the seventies, was at the pinnacle of fame and glory—Rajesh Khanna, a hero, a producer and also a politician celebrates his 69th birthday today.

Fondly addressed as ‘Kaka’, Jatin Khanna (he was rechristened as Rajesh Khanna when he entered Bollywood) was born on 29 December, 1942 in Amritsar. His charismatic ways and elegance made him popular not just among women but all the Bollywood-crazy fans. He is the lone actor to have delivered fifteen successive super hits.

Rajesh Khanna was the first “ Superstar” of Hindi cinema. Image from ibnlive

Khanna was brought up by foster parents, friends of his biological parents. His fondness for stage performance came to surface during his school days at St. Sebastian School, Girgaun. After winning an ‘All India Talent Contest’ Jatin Khanna decided to take a final plunge into the filmdom with his celluloid name Rajesh Khanna in Chetan Anand’s Aakhri Khat.

Despite creating ripples with films such as Aurat, Ittefaq and Baharon Ke Sapne — it was Shakti Samanta’s Aradhana which saw him shooting to phenomenal fame and national glory. Aradhana — the enchanting saga of romance and music projected the stylish performer in a dual role. The movie established Kishore Kumar as Rajesh Khanna’s signature playback voice.

Rajesh Khanna’s list of hits includes Sachaa Jhutha, Haathi Mere Saathi, Amar Prem, Do Raaste, Anand, Avtar and Souten. From 1969 to 1973, he had 15 consecutive hits.

He won three Filmfare Best Actor Awards and was nominated for the same 14 times. He received the maximum BFJA Awards for Best Actor (Hindi) – four times and was nominated 25 times. He was awarded the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award in 2005.

Rajesh Khanna married Dimple Kapadia in 1973. The duo separated in 1984 as Khanna’s schedule kept him away much of the time and Dimple became interested in pursuing an acting career. Twinkle and Rinke, Rajesh Khanna’s two daughters, are also popular Bollywood actors.

Rajesh Khanna was a Member of Parliament for the Congress Party, from the New Delhi constituency, where he won the 1992 by-election, retaining his seat until the 1996 election. He has since been a political activist for the Congress.

A career marked by awe-inspiring fan following and extraordinary success, Rajesh Khanna made a mark in Bollywood and still remains one of the most beloved actors.

Here’s wishing the ‘Superstar’ a very Happy Birthday.



http://www.firstpost.com/bollywood/happy-birthday-to-the-superstar-rajesh-khanna-168385.html#disqus_thread

Bollywood actor Rajesh Khanna in Amritsar for Congress campaign

Bollywood actor Rajesh Khanna in Amritsar for Congress campaign
Published: Saturday, Jan 28, 2012, 1:23 IST
Place: Amritsar | Agency: PTI

Fondly called 'Kaka' by his fans, veteran Bollywood actor Rajesh Khanna, who is leading the Congress charge in his birth place Amritsar, on Friday said those found guilty of corruption should be barred from politics for life.

Corrupt politicians, irrespective of which party they belong to, should be taken to task or jailed when they are caught embezzling public funds and thereafter should be barred from politics for life, he said.

The 69-year-old, who is here to campaign for the Congress,said, "I always observe my strong birth roots in the pious land of Amritsar and would always prefer to spend maximum time here."

Asked why he did not take Congress high command's offer in 2009 to contest elections from Amritsar, Khanna said, "I would never like to ditch my own people with hollow promises like other politicians. I am of the opinion that when you are not able to serve the masses then don't make fake promises to them since these are the sins."

Khanna was a Congress MP from Delhi between 1991 and 1996. He attacked Bollywood colleague and former BJP MP from Gurdaspur, Vinod Khanna, saying, "Vinod Khanna had made bundle of promises with the voters in Gurdaspur including that he would set up a film academy but never honoured his words. The voters threw him out."

On Bollywood celebrities taking to politics, Khanna said, "Film stars are crowd pullers as a reason, political parties prefer to use them in the elections."

He claimed that when he was MP from Delhi, he worked "full time as a politician".

Khanna described cricketer-turned-politician and BJP MP from Amritsar Navjot Singh Sidhu as a "good comedian", but said that he could never be a good politician, "as politics was not comedy".

Talking about the 2007 general assembly elections in the state when Congress was defeated by SAD-BJP, Rajesh Khanna said that Congress had learnt its lesson.

He said the party knew that it was thrown out of power since it failed to ensure development in Punjab.

This time Congress party would bring a sea of development in the state, he said.

Launching a scathing attack on present SAD-BJP government in Punjab, Khanna accused them for poor governance.

He alleged that SAD/BJP had misused funds disbursed by the UPA Government, which resulted in poor infrastructure in health and education departments in the state.

Published by:

http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_bollywood-actor-rajesh-khanna-in-amritsar-for-congress-campaign_1642844

“I will rock in 2012” Super Star Rajesh Khanna

Rajesh Khanna, better known as Kaka, has had a great time in Goa with his family — Dimple, daughters Twinkle, Rinkie, son-in-law Akshay Kumar and grandson Aarav. The news doing the rounds has been that Kaka is unwell and suffering from cancer but when speaking on the phone, he sounded hale and hearty. He talked excitedly about his future plans, which he says depend totally on the audience.

“I am doing very well, thank you! In fact, I’m here in Goa to enjoy myself with all my family members.” When asked if his favourite grandson Aarav is also with him, he gushes, “Yes! He is with me and I enjoy every moment with him. He’s very close to my heart and keeps me busy all day with his childish pranks,” says one of Bollywood’s greatest superstars of yesteryears. On the professional front, Rajesh Khanna says, “The audience has always loved me and I have survived only because of their applause. Frankly, I am expecting even more in 2012. The offers are pouring in and if I am satisfied with any script that comes my way, I will rock on the screen. I’ll be back in Mumbai in four days and then, I shall let you in on a secret that’s on the way!”


Published by:

http://www.deccanchronicle.com/tabloid/glam-sham/%E2%80%9Ci-will-rock-2012%E2%80%9D-324

‘Dimple is back in my family’ Super Star Rajesh Khanna

‘Dimple is back in my family’ Super Star Rajesh Khanna:

Rajesh Khanna is hale and hearty. The yesteryear superstar has just returned from a good holiday, and with Dimple and family around, seems to be recovering from a recent bout of illness rather well. Says the actor in his typical way, “I am no God. I am a human being made of flesh and blood, so obviously sickness at my age is a given thing. Frankly speaking, I have had a pretty hectic life all these years, but those were also the times of my life that I enjoyed the best. I lived like a king.”
True, he lived life king-size, courting and possessing what’s best around him, acting as lead hero in over 100 films, setting the world of male fashion on fire for a period, and launching new trends for the young and the yuppie crowds of his generation with a rare command and fervour.
Now, things have calmed down, though. The actor says he has turned a teetotaller at the behest of his doctor. Speaking about the change, he says, “This is the first time ever that I have left alcohol.” And one person made this possible is Dimple Kapadia, actress and his better half, off and on, separation, reunion et al. “Yes, Dimple is back in my family. This is the best phase of my family life, I can say. I would not like to discuss more about my family and me. Everything is fine now and I am enjoying every minute of it. My grandson is also very close to me. His antics give me immense joy.”
“I have to confess that I have never been so happy like I am today, at this moment,” says the screen legend flashing his heart-winning, million dollar smile. But talk about his retirement from the world of glitz and glamour and the Anand’s poet insists, “Rajesh Khanna has always been there. Rajesh Khanna has always been an actor and shall be one until his last breath. I am
here to stay.”
The star also gets nostalgic about the good old days: “I definitely get nostalgic about those times. I was known as the Matinee Idol. I was superstar. It was the title given to me by my fans and those who saw me perform. I was the first Indian actor to be called so. Usually this is a title that goes to Hollywood actors. I am grateful to my fans, who bestowed me with this honour. I do agree I made some mistakes. But then, to err is human. I may have been tagged as the ‘superstar’, but in reality I was an ordinary man, who had his moments of strength and weakness too.”
Talk about his not-so-successful stint in politics, and the actor says, “I have never been a whiner or a grumbler. I don’t have any qualms about my experience in politics. I have been the same, and so as a new entrant in politics I tried to adjust myself with the scenario. I had my principles when I was a superstar, which I followed even when I entered politics. I wanted to serve my country and my people. It’s sad that things didn’t turn out as I wanted them to be.”
But Rajesh Khanna, the fighter that he was, never let disappointment get the better of him and made a comeback into films with roles suiting his age.
You see, says the star, “Filmmakers of my time had stopped making films. But I was surprised to see a new generation of filmmakers approaching me, Still offering me a role. I was encouraged by their eagerness and acknowledged some good roles, which I thought would be the right kinds to mark my second innings in the industry.”
That too, however, proved to be a short-lived dream and soon the first Indian superstar disappeared into oblivion, making brief appearances as and when he desired. But, even in his absence, Rajesh Khanna has kept himself abreast with the changes in his beloved industry. This becomes clear when he says, “The innovative techniques, the fresh young directors with exclusively new approach to filmmaking, the corporate world coming into films and the multiplexes have all enhanced the prestige of our films. Sooner or later, these magical changes will bring about a good feed to our audiences. Changes need to be welcomed with open arms and people are appreciating these changes. The film industry is moving forward to a brighter future.”
Yes, Rajesh Khanna is an optimist, still having his date with the good things in life – as he has always been.

Sanskriti Media & Entertainment

Published in :

http://www.asianage.com/life-and-style/dimple-back-my-family-089?nocache=1#comment-35751