Now, Rajesh Khanna in a romantic role

Now, Rajesh Khanna in a romantic role Veteran actor Rajesh Khanna is acting in a movie about romance between a 60-yr-old man and a 25-yr-old girl. The film, titled 'Wafaa', is being directed by Rakesh Sawant (Rakhi Sawant's brother) and has south Indian actress Laila cast opposite Rajesh Khanna. Though the film's story seems pretty similar to Ram Gopal Varma's 'Nishabd' (with Amitabh Bachchan in the lead), the movie's director insists that similarities are superficial. Sawant reveals that 'Wafaa' is the story of an old man who marries a young girl. The film has Rajesh Khanna playing a rich businessman. Laila plays the young girl who marries him but then has extramarital affair with another man, a younger one. The film is a crime thriller with a shocking twist in the end. 'Wafaa' will also have some intimate scenes. But such scenes don't feature Rajesh Khanna. They have been shot on Laila and her young co-star. The film also has an item song shot on Kainaaz.

'Rajesh Khanna was an orthodox' - (TImes of India)

Much has been said and written about Rajesh Khanna's illustrious life and a career spanning over five decades. His fondness for women and the not-so-clandestine love stories have also made headlines every now and then. And one such love story that kept us wondering as to what went wrong was that of his alleged affair with Anju Mahendru. Apparently the two were in a relationship for about seven years before Rajesh Khanna married Dimple Kapadia, leaving Anju wondering as to what had gone wrong. According to reports, the two started seeing each other during their struggling days. In the early days of their relationship, Anju reportedly supported his dreams like a devoted girlfriend. Rajesh, too, cared for her and reportedly lavished his affection and earnings upon her. Once the actor became super successful he charmed and convinced Anju into putting aside her career for him. The madly-in-love starlet obliged and soon she officially became Rajesh Khanna's girlfriend. However, it was apparently their diverse personalities that caused a rift between the two. In an interview, Anju was quoted as saying that Rajesh was a very orthodox man, and yet somehow, he was always attracted to ultra-modern girls. She added that confusion was a part of their relationship and explained it by citing the example that if she wore a skirt, he'd snap, and ask her as to why hadn't she worn a sari and if she wore a sari, he'd question her as to why was she trying to project a Bhartiya nari look?

Meanwhile, check out other instances of actors who couldn't marry their sweethearts...



http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/top-10/Celebs-who-could-not-marry-their-love/photostory/50038040.cms

Rare Interview of Amitabh Bachchan and Rajesh Khanna Part 2

December 11, 2011 rajesh-amitabh-ft MOVIE: Did you anticipate your success? Hunger for it? Did you will it to happen? RAJESH: I never thought I’d be such a success. I was an actor. I will remain an actor. Somewhere, along the way I was a superstar. AMITABH: I never expected to play lead roles! Primarily,because I was not the conventional good looking hero, and in fact, I used to feel I’ll never look as good as Raiesh Khanna. Why the hell I am going into it? Now that we are being frank and talking our hearts out, I’d like to say that I still remember a photograph of yours which came in Filmfare and I thought ‘yaar, ye aadmi kya khaata Pain? Iske gaal itne lal kaise ban?’ MOVIE: WOULD YOU attribute the acceptance of your conventional face to the changing phase in society which was veering away from romance to violence. AMITABH: Art is A reflection of the state of the country. Film-makers depict characters which reflect their times. Like when Salim Javed wrote Zanieer, they must have felt the turmoil of the times and picked a character like me to represent those emotions. The people accepted me simply because they felt ‘this fellow fits the bill. We’ll back him.’ Plus the factor that people get sick of seeing the same thing all the time. They need a change. RAJESH: I would like to ask you a personal question. People say that Raiesh Khanna is a manipulator and a very calculative person. I worked in two pictures with you. Was I ever mean as a senior to a junior? AMITABH: Since we are meeting for the first time like this and talking our hearts out. I must have a few things to say as well. Whether it was on the sets of Anand or Namak Haram,we never ever bickered or argued or tried to upstage one another in any manner. On the contrary, Kaka doesn’t know this, but when I was working in Calcutta and keen to join films, the inspiration to get into films was Mr. Raiesh Khanna. At that time you had succeeded in the Madhuri — Filmfare contest and I said, ‘My God, here’s an excellent opportunity where somebody is actually auditioned and here is this gentleman who has made it and is doing so well. Then, wonder of wonders, Hrishida asked me to work with Raiesh Khanna in Anand.It was a dream come true for me because there was this great admiration for Kaka and his phenomenal success. The hysteria he evoked was witnessed for the first time in the history of Hindi films. And we were all part of that hysteria that followed Kaka. I got famous purely because I was working with Ratesh Khanna.People came and asked me questions like ‘How does he look?’ What does he do?’ So I became very important, thanks to him. And I’ve always maintained that the person who is my senior will always remain my senior. I have never ever argued about billings because I don’t think that they mean anything. And I have always had the greatest respect -for Kaka. MOVIE: How do ,you feel about the fact that you replaced Rajesh Khanna in the No. I position? AMITABH: It’s just a question of economics. It’s not that somebody outshone the other. MOVIE: And you Rajesh? How did you feel about his ascedency directly disiodging you? RAJESH: When I saw Namak Haram at a trial at Liberty cinema. 1 knew my time was up. I told Hrishida, ‘here is the superstar of tommorrow.’ MOVIE: Both of you have had undisputed reigns as No. 1. Do vou foresee any single superstar in the future? AMITABH: I don’t know. I don’t believe in those epithets of superstars. Anil Kapoor, Sunny Deol and Jackie are ruling the roost already. I even have to watch some of the newcomers. RAJESH: When it was Amitabh Bachchan at the top, no other star came anywhere near.You were No. 1 to 10, the next one was No. 11. Before that there was only Rajesh Khanna. I have nothing against the juniors but they aren’t superstar material at all. They are easily replaceable. Today, a film-maker says, ‘Jackie Shroff ki date nahin mili hai to kisi aur ko k lo.’ Whereas, they say, ‘Agar amitabh bachan nahi milta hai, we will wait or we will not make the subject,’ AMITABH: I think it’s more to do with economics. Earlier, one used to wait in queues for hours in the heat, trying to buy a ticket, to go and see Shammiji in Junglee or Dilip saheb in Ganga Jamuna. Whereas now, thanks to the video boom, one gets the stars in one’s bedroom at a snap of one’s fingers. There is no mystique left. MOVIE: That video is a convenient spacegoat for flops. It has been proven time and again by blockbusters like Maine Pyar Kiya and Tezaab. AMITABH: Can I cross question you on this Tezaab issue? You say Tezaab was a superhit because it was well made. I’d like to point out that, the story was the same, presented differently so what’s wrong with Agneepath? Whatever it may be that argument cannot stand. We went through that period when the mystique of cinema and its heroes still existed. Now the mystique has been reduced. India has become a smaller country, the world itself is shrinking. I’ll give you an example of how times have changed. As a school boy, I was in Allahabad when Kamini Kaushal and Dilip saheb were shooting tor Shaheed. The crowd almost overturned the train, and the thing that I still remember is, that it was the talk of the town ki air-conditioned coach ke jo kanch the, jismein Kanum Kaushal baithi thi, toot gaye the. I am talking about late 40′s early 50′s.That kind of mystique about film stars doesn’t exist any more. RAJESH: Video or no video, suppose 8-9 films are released on the same day, including one of yours. Will people want to see Amitabh first or any of these youngsters? AMITABH: I would say people will want to watch the younger lot. We need to give them more time. It will be a little harsh to put them aside. They are working in a much more competitive climate. They are working with many more disadvantages than perhaps we were. The audiences too, are not as tolerant as they were in my time. I think the audience gave me a lot of breathing space. I made mistakes and kept trying to rectify them in film after film. It takes a while to do away with the soiled laundry. But there’s no denying that it is the turn of the younger boys now, because today’s audiences are between 18 and 30. I was shooting with Govinda for Hum when a group of young kids came up to me and one of the boys asked for an autograph. Govinda was standing next to me. There was a young, cute girl who gave him a slap and said ‘Woh nahin, ye. Govinda ka autograph lo.’ So we have to accept it. RAJESH: Of course the show has to go on. Trends are changing, people are looking for something new. But you can’t just have 2s, 3s, 4s. There has to be a No. 1. You still haven’t been able to pick out any one name. Neither can I. I feel that whoever will be No.1 next is yet to arrive on the scene. You see, people don’t take long to spot an outstanding actor because their need is there already. AM1TABH: In one respect, I agree with this. In a country which lacks so many things, people want to look up to an idol. They want to feel this is their hero. In exactly the same way , as they would want a whipping horse, to put all the blame. RAJESH: Exactly! We have both been in the same industry. I too have enjoyed a certain status, yet I was looking forward to meeting you. I may even have missed a heart-beat! Like I said, you have to be born with that charisma, you cannot be made. And since this is a hero-oriented industry, the next superstar will again be a man. AMITABH: It could be ET!!! Sincerely, at that point in the history of Hollywood, there were no stars. Paul Newman has said on record, ‘What’s the point in my being an actor? The three greatest hits have been mechanical gadgets!’ There was a shark in Jaws that crashed the box-office, there was this peculiar animal in ET and there was that robot in Star Wars. I saw it millions of times. And everytime I see ET I find it’s a lovable person. So maybe you don’t need an actor, it’s going to be a computer! Look, one of the poignant scenes in 2001 Space Odyssey was the death of the computer. The computer on board is programmed to take the spaceship to a particular planet and also manage everything, right to the food of the astronauts. Then they realise that this very same computer is actually programmed to sabotage the mission. So this astronaut unscrews the computer. It dies with the voice going fainter ‘Don’t kill … me … don’t … kill me’ (He mimics in a low drawl). If just mechanical gadgets are going to be moving us to tears, then Paul Newman is right.What is the need for actors? MOVIE: Both of you married talented actresses who stopped working after marriage. Why did you curb them? RAJESH: I had no problems about my wife working. But when I married Dimple, I wanted a mother for my children. I didn’t want them to be brought up by servants. And I had no idea of Dimple’s talent; Bobby was still not released. Recently when I told one of my daughters Twinkle, that if she would like to act in a film, I would produce one for her. She said, ‘You will let me act but to mummy you say no.’ I said, ‘For the simple reason that I am your father and not your husband.’ Besides, if I knew at that moment that Bobby would prove her talent, I wouldn’t have stopped her. To curb talent is cruel. By the time I saw Bobby our first daughter was already born. But later, when I lived with Tina for seven years, I made a film for her. We acted in so many films together. She was not even that interested but I said, ‘Work, get it out of your system.’ I did not want to repeat the same mistake. AMITABH: Kaka, you have been more specific about how you handled your married life. But I feel that how I want my married life to be conducted should really be between Jaya and me. Anyway, I have never objected to Jaya working in films. But she herself said, ‘I don’t feel nice working in films.’ RAJESH: Why did she work in Silsila? AMITABH: I left it entirely on her. If she wanted to work, she did. It’s a question of how one wants to conduct one’s life. What happened voluntarily in my case, happened specifically in yours. MOVIE: The audience lost out on two good actresses for 10 years. AMITABH: Maybe. But the audience is not married to Jaya or Dimple! RAJESH: So we cannot be expected to sacrifice our lives for cinema. It’s a matter of the children’s lives. Today my children are grown up, Dimple is working in my film, Jai Shiv Shankar. MOVIE: Do you think actors who dabble in politics do justice to either career! RAJESH: You have to give your 100 per cent. When an actor neglects the family, the wife, the children, because he is busy playing the star, how can he do justice to politics, which demands so much time and dedication? When I was asked by the ex-PM, Rajiv Gandhi,to get into politics, I replied that out of 365 days, if one has in put in 200 odd parliament days and if I have fifteen odd films,that means I’ll complete those films in 5 -6 years. And what’s the fault of the producer? So I promised to try and make as much as I can manage and carry out my party duties on a voluntary basis. My willingness is there but an actor cannot really cope. When Amit got into politics, I knew it wouldn’t work. Unless he leaves acting and then dedicates himself completely. AMITABH: He has brought out an aspect of the technicalities involved. I would say that either you break away totally or you don’t at all. MOVIE: You said that the people need an idol to look up to. Does not an actor politician exploit this factor? AMITABH: Absolutely. You are, in fact, cheating the masses. Because of your popularity and mass appeal you draw crowds which is one of the first priorities of a politician. And then you go and tell them to vote for your political ideology. You say, I have spent 20 years of my life trying to impress my personality upon you. In return I want your votes.’ I think that’s wrong! We will create a divide in families. For example, in Allahabad there were people in the same household who had different ideologies yet because they love the actor, they wanted to love the politician as well. RAJESH: But if they love the actor so much and you show the right ideology, why will they not follow it? AMITABH:The problems of this country are not going to be solved by one actor or even 10 actors. The problems are far too big. On the screen we get poetic justice in three hours. Poetic justice doesn’t come in a lifetime. RAJESH: In my opinion, if there are about 2000 problems in India, and if I can solve just one problem, then I have achieved something. AMITABH: But Kaka, what is to stop you doing that without advocating a particular ideology? RAJESH: But Amit, only a political platform can give you that reach. MOVIE: Can’t you adapt yourself to new trends? AMITABH: I couldn’t possibly do a love story like Maine Pyar Kiya. I can perhaps do a more mature love story. Then again, we tried a love story with Silsila but it didn’t work. One thing is for sure, we can’t be doing what Salman is doing. RAJESH: You’re right I can’t do an Aradhana today. AMITABH: Romantic films are in, which means we are out of jobs! RAJESH: Stop saying you are finished! People feel you are probably trying to buy sympathy. Listen to me, recently I attended a show with you and you were superb. A superhit. You went on stage to sing one song and people were going mad. They insisted on song after song. AMITABH: Maybe I should meet von more often KAKA ! You are very complimentary! Published by: http://www.4bubbles.com/rare-interview-of-amitabh-bachan-and-rajesh-khanna-part-2/

Interview of Amitabh Bachchan and Rajesh Khanna Part 1

Rare Interview of Amitabh Bachchan and Rajesh Khanna Part 1 December 11, 2011 MOVIE: Welcome aboard! It has been 17 years since you last came together, professionally or personally. What kept you apart? Why did you not team up after Anand and Namak haram? AMITABH: Who’s going to talk first? … I think after Namak Haram the only semblance of an offer was made by Goldie saab when he wanted to make Rajput. RAJESH: But I wish we had done a third film also. It would have been a hat-trick! AMITABH: Yes, I agree. However, I think it was important for a person like Hrishida to come up with something, because – with all due respect to Rajesh – I think Hrishida really scripted stories which suited our personalities. The lack of a proper script or a proper setting for the two of us was perhaps one of the major reasons why … RAJESH: I would like to interrupt, Amit. What if the roles had been reversed in Namak Haram? In your opinion, could we have done justice to them? AMITABH: I don’t think so. I think that Hrishida must have had something in mind before he cast us in our respective roles. He, perhaps, wanted me to play the more aggressive role since the script itself was patterned on Beckett. I think it had Peter O’Toole and Richard Burton in it. And,in fact there was a time when they did switch roles. But as to reversing our roles, I don’t know about Kaka, but I could never be put into the same category as Peter O’Toole or Richard Burton. Fine actors, the best in the world. MOVIE: Amitabh, don’t you think it was comparatively easier to cast you in Anand when you were a newcomer or even as a parallel hero in Namak Haram but your subsequent superstardom disturbed the equation? AMITABH: This question can best be answered by Hrishida. I really don’t know what the reading is in the mind of a film-maker when he takes, say three artistes of the same period or perhaps, of the same category. But I would imagine that I would be very happy to do something lesser because I am junior to Raiesh. As to the question of somebody being more popular, it is pure economics. I have said it before that nobody superceded anybody in popularity or whatever. Somebody’s film does economically better, therefore he becomes bigger. I don’t believe in these epithets of superstars or phenomena. RAJESH: But how did you feel when you became a superstar after Namak Haram and Deewar?The reason why I am asking you is because once I was also at the top. And I use the term superstardom because that’s what the masses, the press, as well as the film-makers use. Did it affect you or not? AMITABH: No, it didn’t affect me at all. I feel that my success was more dependent upon the script, director and co-stars. I just happened to be there. RAJESH: That’s the technical part of it, but what of your own contribution? Personally,I feel that when a director says, ‘Start sound and action,’ no other department exists except the actor. AMITABH: Quite right. You are given your role, you have to do your best. RAJESH: Agreed. So stardom goes to the actor. AMITABH: I haven’t really looked into it. RAJESH: So that means you won’t own up to the failures either? AMITABH: Absolutely. RAJESH: Neither the success nor the … crash? AMITABH: Absolutely. RAJESH: You take neither the credit nor the blame? AMITABH: Absolutely. MOVIE: What about you, “Raiesh’ What did success do to you? RAJESH: I felt next to God! I still remember the exact moment when for the first time I became aware of how mind-blowing super-success can be. It psyches you totally — or you’re not human. It was just after Andaaz, at a lottery draw held at the Vidhan Sabha in Bangalore . AMITABH: We were working together, in fact, when you had gone there … RAJESH: Yeah. And! I remember because Andaaz ka premiere tha wahan. One couldn’t see anything but heads bobbing down the whole road, which was not only broad but almost ten miles long. And there was just one echo of the voices – `Haaaaa…’ You know, it was like a stadium in the times of the Romans. I wept like a baby. I am very surprised, Amit, that success and failure leave you untouched. Because later, when I started slipping, I hit the bottle. I mean, I am not a super human being. You are not Jesus Christ and I am not Mahatma Gandhi. I remember that once at three o’clock in the morning I was pretty high on spirits and suddenly it was too much for me to stomach because it was my first taste of failure. One after another, seven films had just flopped in a row. It was raining, pitch-dark and up there alone on my terrace, I lost control. I yelled out. Parvardigar, hum garibon ka itna sakt imtihan na le ki hum tere vajood ko inkar kar de,’ (Don’t test my patience to such an extent that I question your very existence). Of course, Dimple and my staff came running, thinking that I had gone insane! It was because success hit me so much that I couldn’t take the failure. I remember, the next day Balaji (a South producer) offered me Amardeep out of the blue. It gave a second lease to my career. Haven’t you experienced anything of this sort? AMITABH: No, I have been very pessimistic about myself, I must say. And it’s really a wonder that I continued upto a certain point. Perhaps, it is due to the grace of God, prayers of the people and my lucky stars! Each day I felt that this is the end, tomorrow is my last day, so I have never really looked at it as emotionally and as passionately as you, Rajesh. MOVIE: Don’t you recall the overwhelming response of the people to your illness in ’82, when you were fighting for your life in Breach Candy hospital? AMITABH: Well … it disturbed me very much, but you cannot compare that incident with anything else. It was an unnatural situation. Of course, it affected me for a very long time because I didn’t know how to pay the people back. That always disturbed me. Jaya and I spent long hours trying to figure out how to return the immense love. RAJESH: Naturally. Duaa mein jo baat bath woh dava mein kahan? I recall reading that when you were in hospital, your heart stopped beating for thirty seconds. AMITABH: Yeah, I had no pulse and there was no blood pressure. RAJESH: When you came to know about it later what were your feelings? AMITABH: Well … at that point one is so weak, emotionally and physically … It’s very difficult for me to explain, because I still have no explanation. RAJESH: Did it make you a better human being? Did it make you more humble? Or did it make you feel a super man, knowing that you had conquered death? AMITABH: I think the people outside talked more about it than me. I haven’t had the time to really reflect on it. I haven’t really analysed that moment as Kaka would like me to. I have shut it away somewhere. Maybe when I am old and tired,I may reflect on that moment. One can only thank the people who prayed. MOVIE: Your family is probably more acutely conscious of it. They must’ve gone through hell. AMITABH: Yes, yes, and I am sure somewhere in the back of their minds they must be having some dark areas. MOVIE: Has it left you less afraid of death? AMITABH: When you gotta go, you gotta go. MOVIE: What about you, Rajesh? RAJESH: Oh,! am not scared of death at all. If on my death bed, I am asked, I shall say that I have no regrets, I have had the best of everything. So when death comes, I’ll just smile. I know that I have missed nothing, and if I am given this life again, I’ll go through it exactly the same way. AMITABH: Oh, yes, I think the lord has been far too kind. I must admit that he gave me a lot of things at a very young age. But as for the adverse part, I would’t wish it even on an enemy. RAJESH: Yeah! A king dies a king! He might not have a following. He might be dying alone, lost in a desert but he will still be a king, whether on the throne or in exile! MOVIE: Rajesh is such an incorrigible romantic at heart, that he even romanticizes death, complete with a desert scenario et al! Amitabh, do your intense, violent roles spill over into your life! RAJESH: Like you said, there is no dividing line in my case. There’s always some hangover which you carry back home. Just as I have my affairs and women, do you carry your violence home? AMITABH: I can’t answer that question. I don’t even know whether I am doing it well on screen. All I can say is that I am given my lines and do what I have to do, after which, when it’s pack up time, it’s pack up. RAJESH: You’ve played the romantic hero too. Is that more like you? AMITABH: I’m terrible at romance. RAJESH: Amit, in my esteem you are a very good actor. But you’ve become typecast as the angry man. Do you agree that you have become a victim of your own image? AMITABH: Absolutely. It’s sad because everytime something else was tried out, it did not succeed.Even though people may have had faith in me, that faith would obviously get destroyed because the film didn’t work. Eventually, you know, we are all going to end up doing character roles whether we like it or not! It’s difficult for people in India to accept me as a leading man anymore. But Kaka has been a romantic all his life, he’s romanticizing even death, so perhaps he will continue to play romantic roles and one wishes him all the best. But, the fact is that, I will not be able to. So it’s pack up time for me. RAJESH: No, I don’t agree with you at all. A good actor never says die, just as a good cricketer always remains a good cricketer. Even Bradman had a rough patch. Talking about Apeepath, why did you turn your voice, which is such a great asset, into a liability? Why did you do it? You know that Amitabh Bachchan means The Voice. Kiske pass hoti hai itni khubsoorat aawaz? And you turned it against you? AMITABH: Actually this contradicts what you said earlier, where you said that I put in a said image. People criticize me for doing the same thing over and over again but when I make an attempt to do something different, they reject it. So where the hell am I? RAJESH: But changing the voice does not change the image! You were playing an angry man and it was not as if you were playing something else and so you changed your voice. No, the rest of you – your physical appearance and your dialogue, remained the same. The only thing you changed was your voice, that’s all. AMITABH: Well, people are willing to accept changes only upto a certain point. In Agneeparh I tried to be different within the demands of the character which didn’t permit overall changes. As for turning an asset into a liability, I can’t single it out and say, that no matter what, isko to main nahin change kamonga, baqi sab change karoonga. RAJESH: Are you trying to say that images are more powerful than actors? AMITABH: Certainly, in the minds of the people. MOVIE: Why were you slaves of our images to such an extent that you created a Frankenstein which eventually devoured you? AMITABH: When! did Anand I know that millions of people came to me and said, ‘Don’t you dare get out of that dhoti. This is it, stick to this. Always play the doctor’s role.’ But as time went on directors kept experimenting, kept throwing challenges at me, and I kept accepting them. And what is most important is that people kept accepting them also. The films ran and that lured the directors into repeating popular scenes. They’d say, Woh drunk scene kiya Hera Pheri mein, woh achha tha. Now,let’s do a scene where he smashes ten people and then twenty people.’ Your ultimate aim is to want to keep adding, keep making it more exciting until you arrive at a saturation point. RAJESH: Directors would insist on the same set of mannerisms, especially in songs, ‘Waise hi aankhen Jhapko jaise Aradhana main kiya tha. Finally, those mannerisms went against me. But apart from that, I have been lucky because I haven’t had a set image. If I played Anand, I also did Bawarchi and Amar Prem. I’ll give you a small example, Souten was – - absolutely romantic, emotional and I was singing songs with Tina Munim and Padmini Kolhapure. Where as in Avatar, I threw out my mannerisms, wore a grey wig and played the father of grown- up children with daughters-In-law. Although the difference between Avatar and Souten’s release was only one week, people accepted both the roles. Amit, have you seen any of these two pictures? AMITABH: No, I am sorry. MOVIE: Was there ever any film for which one of you was signed and eventually the other did it? A rare instance of interchangeability of images? RAJESH: Deewar. AMITABH: Really? RAJESH: Salim-Javed and I had differences. They refused to give the script to Yash Chopra because they wanted only Bachchan. So, although Yashji wanted me for Deewar, he had no choice. And, I guess overall, he must have felt that maybe Amitabh fitted the bill better. Later, I saw just two reels of Deetvar and honestly, I said, `Wah kya baat hail’ Honest to God. Talent was always there whether I worked with him in Anand or Namak Haram – I mean handi mein se agar chawal ka ek daana nikalo to pata lag jaata hai ki kya hai – but talent needs the right break. After Deewar I always envied him. Only thing is, I smiled each time he slipped because he made the same mistakes that I once made. AMITABH: Well, I just can’t sit here taking all these compliments from you, because it’s a little embarrassing. RAJESH: It’s not embarrassing, it’s the truth, which I feel from the bottom of my heart. Published by :

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Bollywood actor Rajesh Khanna in Amritsar for Congress campaign

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?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

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

Lifetime achievement award honour for Super Star Rajesh Khanna at IIFA 2009

Lifetime achievement award honour for Rajesh Khanna at IIFA 2009

Often termed as the first superstar of Hindi cinema, actor turned politician Super Star Rajesh Khanna will be honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Videocon IIFA Weekend, which will be held at The Venetian Macao-Resort-Hotel from June 11 to 13, 2009 in Macau.


Each year, IIFA 2009 honours a member of the Indian Film Fraternity with the Lifetime Achievement Award who has made innumerable contributions to Indian cinema, our sources reveal, keeping this in mind, the IIFA Advisory Board and the IIFA Management have zeroed down on Super Star Rajesh Khanna’s name for the tenth IIFA to be held at Macao.

Super Star Rajesh Khanna’s rise to stardom is considered phenomenal. One can recollect, from 1969 to 2009 (till date), the Super Star Rajesh Khanna phenomenon swept Indian cinema off its feet and the hysteria he generated was unlike anything seen before in Indian Cinema. Super Star Rajesh Khanna made his Bollywood debut with the 1966 film Aakhri Khat, followed by Raaz and Baharon Ke Sapne. But his act in films like Aurat, Khamoshi and Aradhana cemented his status as the new super talent par excellence in the Indian film industry. In 1983, Super Star Rajesh Khanna displayed a spectacular performance with his role in Avtaar. After establishing his mega star status, blockbuster films followed one after another, and women all over the country swooned over him and the men aped him.

Kaka as he is popularly known as, is still adored and fondly remembered by the masses and songs from his popular films are still loved even today. The previous recipients of this award were Lata Mangeshkar (2000), Waheeda Rehman (2001), Yash Chopra (2002), Dev Anand (2003), Yash Johar (2004), V.K. Murthy (2005), Asha Parekh (2006), Dharmendra (2007) and Mumtaz (2008).

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VNwEWSw8xLw

Rajesh Khanna: The first superstar

LEGENDS

Rajesh Khanna: The first superstar



RajiV Vijayakar follows the trail of actor Rajesh Khanna the highs, the lows and everything else in between.

They are the living legends, the superstars who took Hindi cinema to towering heights long before NRI markets opened, with their mesmerising mix of looks, persona, talent and charisma. This time we look at Rajesh Khanna, labelled by the Indian media and his PR machinery as the ‘First Superstar Of Hindi Cinema’ or simply, ‘The Phenomenon’.

Born Jatin, the young orphan was adopted by a doting and wealthy couple named Khanna. And though he stayed in a lower middle-class apartment in downtown Mumbai, he became the first struggler to do the rounds of producers in his own imported MG sports car — an industry first: his foster-parents, albeit apprehensively, had allowed him to try his hand at acting.

It was somewhere in late 1966 and early 1967 that two films called Raaz and Aakhri Khat released — and flopped. The common hero was called Rajesh Khanna and the films a part of his prize for winning the All-India United Producers’ Talent Competition.

Khanna had a rudimentary theatrical experience, and despite these flops, on the strength of his talent and that mysterious charisma, he had been signed by biggies Shakti Samanta, Raj Khosla, Asit Sen, A Subba Rao and finally B R Chopra. And so it was that when destiny engineered the back-to-back releases of these five films within the last three months of 1969.

Leading the parade was Shakti Samanta’s Aradhana, the musical sensation that clinched Khanna’s long link with the filmmaker and Sharmila Tagore, and Khosla’s Do Raaste that set off the much more successful Mumtaz-Rajesh Khanna pair.

And if Aradhana consolidated his friendship with associate music director R D Burman and Do Raaste with Laxmikant-Pyarelal, both films established the bond with Kishore Kumar and lyricist Anand Bakshi, with all of them becoming the bulwark of the star’s solidly-musical reputation.

A lot has been written and said even now about his music sense. If Laxmikant-Pyarelal and R D Burman dominated his music, Kalyanji-Anandji, S D Burman, Shankar Jaikishan and so many other composers also gave him instant but enduring chartbusters. And film-lore has it that all of this was not explained by these humongous music talents and melody-savvy filmmakers alone. Khanna would listen to a song, ruminate on it (without a physical copy with him) and would clear it only if he still recalled it easily days later!

But what stood out was the emergence of a young sensation who commanded unprecedented hysteria. If men turned wannabe Khannas and imitated his hairstyle, his guru-kurta and also his stock mannerisms, girls swooned at his sight, wrote letters in blood and went ballistic over the bent head, the crinkling of his eyes and that dreamy smile.

And perhaps the adage “It never rains but it pours” was created for Kaka, as he was affectionately named.

Through the successive hits that followed (for five years, if you ignored the occasional exceptions) Rajesh Khanna could do no wrong.

His girlfriend and early support system Anju Mahendroo was the first to get the taste of the flipside of his superstardom and the accoutrements that Khanna willingly allowed — opportunistic hangers-on, ego-boosting acolytes and a coterie that alienated true well-wishers and friends. In a shocking development, Khanna dumped her and married Dimple Bobby Kapadia weeks before the release of her debut film Bobby in 1973.

But if 1969 was the year that made the Phenomenon, 1973 proved a watershed. The marriage soon went on the rocks, and the couple split, but not before two kids, now known as Twinkle and Rinke Khanna, and endless acrimony happened. Simultaneously, rival lover-boy Rishi Kapoor arrived as Dimple’s Bobby co-star, as did the man who by his sheer force of persona and disciplined professionalism proved to be Khanna’s nemesis —
Amitabh Bachchan. Khanna’s commercial downfall came as swiftly as a thunderbolt despite his continued hits and evergreen chartbusters.

As a star he continued doling out the occasional hit all the way to the 80s, and as always never shirked from experiment. If his peak saw him take up Khamoshi, Anand, Aap Ki Kasam and Aakraman, he still dared to essay a psychopath in Red Rose, a philanderer in Dhanwan and a politician in Aaj Ka MLA Ram Avtar.

The magic, however, had waned. Even a political career proved uneventful and he turned producer officially with two films that went nowhere. Khanna tried his hands playing screen father, made friends with his estranged wife and even tried acting in a tele-film and in a serial or two. He publicly admitted to the mistakes he had made in the first heady flush of stardom, but the desperation (as proved by his recent skin-flick Wafaa) and ego-centric inaccessibility remained.

But Khanna is not so much about the wrongs he did but about his awesome achievements that form a historic chapter in Indian cinema. As Mumtaz puts it, “I think no one has seen the success the guy has seen in his time.”

Kaka's Aashirwad to be his museum

Remember Rajesh Khanna’s sea-facing bungalow Aashirwad on Carter Road, Bandra west? Rajesh Khanna



The residence of the 70s’ superstar is a landmark that GenNow just zips past in its fast cars and superbikes without a second glance. The actor himself, despite a messy attempt at making a comeback this year with the disatrous film Wafaa, is in the wilderness for close to 25 years. But, the buzz is that Aashirwad is being readied by ‘Kaka’ to be the ‘Rajesh Khanna Museum’ very soon.

The former superstar is in the news this week for turning out to be a higher taxpayer the last financial year at Rs 6.87 crore than Bollywood’s current heartthrobs Aishwarya Rai Bachchan (Rs 4.7cr), Kareena Kapoor (Rs 3.6cr) and even one-time arch rival Amitabh Bachchan (Rs 1.25cr). This is a mystery, given Kaka’s dubious history with the tax man, that is explained by a close friend who said Kaka is worth over Rs 100 crore because he has sizeable assets in the form of property in Mumbai and Chennai, some of which he sold recently.

But what is more interesting is that Aashirwad, which at one time was reported to be attached by the IT Department because Kaka had defaulted on his taxes, is likely to be converted into a museum. Time was when this bungalow was the nerve centre of Bollywood. Filmmaker Subhash Ghai says, “I have seen legendary filmmakers like Shakti Samanta and Manmohan Desai be a part of Khanna’s coterie here.’’ Apparently renovation is on at Aashirwad and people speculate that Kaka’s son-in-law Akshay Kumar will inherit this property someday.

The former actor, who has a battery of cars, shelves of trophies of his hits films, artefacts and several other valuables inside Aashirwad that are meticulously maintained by a retinue of servants, told BT from Delhi, “Yes, I’m planning to open India’s first star museum here. By the grace of the Almighty, my daughters Twinkle and Rinke are married, settled and have huge houses themselves. They don’t need my property.’’ Then, with some of his old flamboyance, he added, “Aashirwad is the home of the first superstar of Bollywood, and I would like it to remain that way. Of course, my daughters will take the final decision because it will be their inheritance in the future.’’

Link from :

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Entertainment/Kakas-Aashirwad-to-be-his-museum/articleshow/4409553.cms#write

Legendary producer-director Shakti Samanta passes away

By V Manohar | 10:30 | 11/Apr/2009 |0Comment(s) |








Legendary producer-director Shakti Samanta passes away

Mumbai, April 10: Noted filmmaker Shakti Samanta, who made superhit movies for Super Star Rajesh Khanna died here on Thursday ( 09-04-2009) after a brief illness.

He was 83 and is survived by wife, two sons and two grandsons.

"He passed away at around 5 pm at his suburban Santacruz residence. He was recovering from a stroke which he suffered over two months ago," a family member told reporters.

"Samanta was discharged two weeks ago from Jaslok Hospital where he was treated for two months. He was slightly paralysed and was recovering slowly," Ashim Samanta, son of the filmmaker, told reporters.

"However, his health deteriorated today," said Ashim, also a film director.

Samanta's funeral would be held at Santacruz crematorium at 11 am on 10-4-2009, the family member said.

The Shakthi Samanta-Super Star Rajesh Khanna pair was responsible for some of Bollywood's memorable classics like Aradhana - 1969, Kati Patang - 1970, Amar Prem - 1971, Anuraag - 1972, Ajanabee - 1974, Mehbooba - 1976, Anurodh - 1977, Ayash - 1982, Awaaz - 1984, Alag Alag - 1985 & Dushman - 1990. All movies with Super Star Rajesh Khanna is super hit for ever.

'Samanta magic' with Rajesh Khanna didn't work with Bachchan


Samanta, a former president of Indian Motion Pictures Association of India (IMPAA), directed 43 feature films, including 37 Hindi and 6 Bengali films.


Shakti Samanta directed his first feature film, 'Bahu' in 1954. After the success of his next few films like 'Inspector' (1956), 'Sheroo' (1956), 'Detective' (1957), Samanta started his own film production house.

Apart from his movies, the director is remembered for introducing actress Sharmila Tagore in Kashmir Ki Kali , who went on to form a legendary pair with Samanta's blue-eyed boy Super Star Rajesh Khanna.

Samantha was never cheap. There is something to be said for a filmmaker who helmed movies which in many ways defined the core character of Hindi cinema in the 1960s and 70s. Apart from everything else Samantha will be remembered for creating all of Super Star Rajesh Khanna’s films Super Hit from Aradhana to Dushman which were all super hit.Quite easily one of the last giant names of that period, Samatha’s passing ought to mean a great loss for bollywood cinema.

Of sobs and tears - Haathi Mere Saathi : 1971

The first time I cried at the movies was during Haathi Mere Saathi. Rajesh Khanna's elephant had died. I could not believe an elephant could die, either in real life, or in the movies. I felt it was unfair that someone had written in the elephant's death so easily. Baw.

In my defence I was ten. I am now four times that age and I am still crying at the movies.

Hindustan Times
dt. 20-3-2009.

http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/StoryPage.aspx?sectionName=CinemaSectionPage&id=2415bd3a-cfa5-4a4e-bd66-6e5bf0356704&Headline=Of+sobs+and+tears

Super Star Rajesh Khanna defends his movie Wafaa

Rajesh Khanna defends his movie
By: Sonal ChawlaDate: 2008-12-20
Mumbai:

Young at Heart: Rajesh Khanna in a still from Raghukul Reet Sadaa Chali Aayee

Says a defiant Rajesh Khanna, insisting his role in Wafaa isn't everyone's cup of tea

After seeing the intimate pictures of Rajesh Khanna in Wafaa, I wanted to go visit Rajesh Khanna to understand why he accepted such a role.

I just needed to know. And also, for the sake of my mother, who was anguished that her once upon a time favourite hero had stooped to conquer.

I just barged into his sets in Film City, Goregaon, where he was shooting for a Hindi serial, Raghukul Reet Sadaa Chali Aayee and demanded he speak to me. Here are excerpts from my conversation with him...

Tell me about your role in Wafaa?

It has released today... you can go see it! (Smiles)

What motivated you to choose such a role?

What do you mean, motivate? (Pauses) It's a powerful script and a powerful role. It's a dynamic role, which is not every actor's cup of tea and so I chose that role. I know what you really want to ask me.

Okay then, so tell me. What made you do those scenes...
It is a bold script, undoubtedly. It is so bold that the Censor Board has given it a 'U' certificate (laughs).

It received a 'U' certificate after the bold scenes were chopped? As far as I know, it has an 'A' certificate...
I don't think so. I haven't seen the film after the censorship decision. But I've been told that there were very minor cuts. I know you want to ask me I am doing such scenes at this age with a heroine half my age.

Especially after doing 175 films which have been so beautifully oriented in terms of characterisation, in story matter, lyrics and songs. You would want to know that if in the song Roop Tera Mastana (Aradhana) the hero doesn't even touch the heroine, and yet the song had romance as well as sex, why I have done this?
Exactly...

My answer is because the subject demanded it and I'm sure once you see the movie, you will know and understand and will agree that it is justified. I will say that the romantic scenes are not Bollywood, but Hollywood. I'm brave enough to say that to own up to it. I am not at all shy or even reluctant to say this: I am proud of those scenes because behind those scenes there is a story. I am not a fool that at this age, given what I am today, I will do a Hollywood style romance with an actress half my age. I am a very sensible guy. I have my head on my shoulders. I have no dearth of films.

Your fans are very disappointed.

Seeing the photographs and trying to judge and pass judgment is not justified. It is no justice done to Mr Rajesh Khanna because I would not do a thing that would bring me dishonour, or be below my dignity. All my films are not like this. I have not done it in 175 films, why will I do it now??? The story demanded it. The subject demanded it. It is a very new kind of subject, and so I went for it. When one sees the photographs it gives you a wrong impression but when you see it in the film, it gives you an impression that it had to be this way! And it is not done deliberately or to attract audience into the theatre. That's the publicity or game plan of the producer or the director and not the actor! When my fans see the film, they will write in to say they got the wrong impression from the photographs.

What reactions have you received since the photos were published?

We do our role and go away. We are not forced in to it. There is grace in every scene. There is dignity in every scene. Other wise Rajesh Khanna is not game. I went from being an actor to a star, and then a superstar. My audience has made me who I am. I have their love and affection and I don't want to lose that.

Your co-star Laila Khan says you treated her like a daughter, was it difficult to do intimate scenes with her?

No. Laila might have said that but I don't say that. It is not a father-daughter relationship. It is two friends who could happen to be of a different age group but we are friends, we are colleagues and she is my heroine and the only difference is the age barrier.

Laila might have said that but I don't say that. It is not a father daughter relationship. It is two friends who could happen to be of a different age group but we are friends, we are colleagues and she is my heroine; the only difference is the age barrier

I am not at all shy or not even reluctant to say this: I'm proud of those scenes because behind those scenes, there is a story. I am not a fool that at this age, given what I am today, I will do a Hollywood style romance with an actress half my age

It's a powerful script and a powerful role. It's dynamic and isn't every actor's cup of tea and so I chose that role Rajesh Khanna

http://www.mid-day.com/entertainment/2008/dec/201208-Rajesh-Khanna-Raghukul-Reet-Wafaa-Film-City-Roop-Tera-Mastana-Bollywood.htm

Super Star Rajesh Khanna's Wafaa at Box Office

After going through the long interview of Kaka on 20.12.2008, it seems that media is highlighting some bold scenes of Wafa in an exaggarated manner. There are other factors as well in this film,such as performance of Kaka, his most dynamic and perfect characterization as Multimillionaire of Thailand and he looks really most handsome and glamorous in the role, especially in the song of Tere Bagair... . But strange the media only creating nonsense about some bed scenes and kissing scenes. First of all we should look after that upto what extent these scenes are present in the main film. As per Kaka versions it has given a U certificate. So if this is true, then there is no question of controversial scenes.

SUPER STAR RAJESH KHANNA'S BIRTHDAY ON 29TH DECEMBER, 2008

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SUPER STAR RAJESH KHANNA : An actor par excellence
On his SIXTY SIX birthday on 29th December, 2008, I may highlight some inner capabilities of the GREATEST LIVING LEGEND & THE REAL AND ONLY SUPER STAR OF INDIAN CINEMA as a most refined actor, rather, an actor par excellence, which have experienced for the last four decades through his outstanding performances. These are in addition to his classic facial ex-pressions which emerge effortlessly on his face and the style and arrogance brought by him on the silver screen. The rigorous use of his voice to communicate a character’s lines and express emotion, which he achieved through attention to diction and projection through correct breathing and articulation. It has also achieved by him through the tone and emphasis that an real actor puts on words. Characterization/Physicalisation of a role in order to create a believable character for the audience and to use the acting space appropriately and correctly. Use of gesture to complement the voice, interact with other actors and to bring emphasis to the words in a play, as well as having symbolic meaning.

SUPER STAR RAJESH KHANNA'S BIRTHDAY ON 29TH DECEMBER, 2008

SUPER STAR RAJESH KHANNA'S BIRTHDAY ON 29TH DECEMBER, 2008
























































· SUPER STAR RAJESH KHANNA : An actor par excellence
On his SIXTY SIX birthday on 29th December, 2008, I may highlight some inner capabilities of the GREATEST LIVING LEGEND & THE REAL AND ONLY SUPER STAR OF INDIAN CINEMA as a most refined actor, rather, an actor par excellence, which have experienced for the last four decades through his outstanding performances. These are in addition to his classic facial ex-pressions which emerge effortlessly on his face and the style and arrogance brought by him on the silver screen. The rigorous use of his voice to communicate a character’s lines and express emotion, which he achieved through attention to diction and projection through correct breathing and articulation. It has also achieved by him through the tone and emphasis that an real actor puts on words. Characterization/Physicalisation of a role in order to create a believable character for the audience and to use the acting space appropriately and correctly. Use of gesture to complement the voice, interact with other actors and to bring emphasis to the words in a play, as well as having symbolic meaning.

RAJESH KHANNA - 1987

Posted online: Friday, January 30, 2004 at 0000 hours IST



Rajesh and I are good friends.’ - Anju Mahendru (July ’87).
‘He is the father of my children and a very integral part of my life. He can never be unimportant.’ - Dimple (July ’87).
‘After every quarrel, he would inundate me with gifts as if he was courting me all over again.’ - Tina Munim (August ’87).
Three beautiful women. Three controversial relationships.

Three complex chapters in Khanna’s life. What is it about Rajesh Khanna, that women who loved and lost him cannot be indifferent to the memory? Why is it that they drag their pasts into the present and discuss him when he’s no more a part of their life? We decided to question the women. Persuading them to talk wasn’t easy. If Anju Mahendru was unsure, Dimple was hesitant and Tina tight-lipped. ‘I’m not sure if it’s right to discuss him,’ said Anju, sitting in her plush bungalow in Juhu and swallowing an aspirin to recover from a throbbing headache. ‘It’s a controversial subject...’ remarked Dimple in-between shots during a late night shooting of a Rajkumar Kohli film. ‘What can I say? Anyway, how will it help...?’ asked a reticent Tina when I contacted her over the phone one Sunday.

I spend long hours with the three women before they were willing to journey into their past and tell a strange story of half-forgotten truths. We flip back the pages of this still-open book to understand the mystique of a man called Rajesh Khanna...

Anju Mahendru: Just one month after Rajesh Khanna left her to marry Dimple Kapadia, Anju called up the ‘Naaz’ theatre to check his box-office popularity. This, for a man who led his baraat past her bungalow, only to spite her. Still, erasing his memory is not as easy for Anju. His perverseness was the other side of his generosity. His cruel moods alternated with his gentle nature. Anju was bohemian and sharptongued,- , a contrast to the diplomatic Khanna. Then what made R.K., the conservative raised in a traditional household, fall in love with the bold, independent model-cum-aspiring actress? The differences resulted in conflicts. Taking it as a challenge, R.K. sought to change his girlfriend. Today says Anju:


‘Basically he is a very orthodox man, yet somehow he always gets attracted to ultra modern girls. I know it’s a contradiction, but then Rajesh Khanna is like that. Confusion was a part of our relationship. If I wore a skirt, he’d snap, why don’t you wear a saree? If I wore a saree, he’d wrinkle his nose and say, why are you trying to project a Bhartiya nari look? Things became worse when stardom found Rajesh Khanna. The champagne-and-roses affair was threatened by the very popularity and success the two had dreamt of. Rajesh Khanna, the heartthrob of millions, never got encouragement from the person he most needed - Anju. Unsure of himself, he’d watch the rushes of his films with her, waiting for praise and appreciation. It never came. Instead, criticism was all he got. Anju refused to become another Khanna sycophant. She refused to see him in any other light than how she had always known him.



Says Khanna now, ‘I didn’t expect praise. All I wanted was a nod of approval... A gesture that reassured. But she was always ruthlessly critical. ‘I was critical because that’s how I am,’ explains Anju. ‘If he was bad, I always said so. Why should I have praised him just to keep him happy? There were plenty around to boost his ego. He has always been sensitive to criticism and I’ve always been very frank.’

Rajesh was going through the teething troubles of nouveau success. Anju, as the woman in his life, found herself at sea, coping with him. She was defensive. When Rajesh got back from a shooting schedule, he’d get frantic if Anju wasn’t in the beautiful bungalow he had gifted her. He would call up all her friends to trace her whereabouts. He’d follow her everywhere. ‘If I went somewhere, he’d trail me and ring me up consistently,’ reveals Anju. ‘The world was after me and I was after her,’ says the ex-superstar bitterly today.’ In retrospect, Rajesh sums up his relationship with Anju as one of unequals. ‘I married Dimple on the rebound and Tina was a balm on the wounds inflicted by Dimple.’

Today, 17 years after the unpleasant break up of their seven year live-in- relationship, Anju would rather be friends with Rajesh Khanna, than nurse old grievances. The two have struck a special relationship that only years of knowing each other can bring about. Whether it’s sharing a drink or teasing each other about their current dates, there is an easy camaraderie. Anju and Rajesh have come a long way. Says an embarrassed Anju, ‘When we spoke to each other for the first time after almost 17 years, I admit that both of us felt a bit awkward. I didn’t call him Jatin as I used to in the past and he didn’t call me Nikki. I didn’t call him Kaka either. It would have been too filmi!’

Dimple Kapadia: When Dimple came into Rajesh Khanna’s life, little did she know that she would have to bear the brunt of the casualties in his first affair. The young teen star was swept off her feet when the charming Khanna dramatically threw Rishi Kapoor’s ring into the sea and proposed marriage. From childhood she was roughly jerked into adulthood. The marriage went wrong from the very beginning. Ironically, Dimple’s complaints against Rajesh were similar to Rajesh’s complaints against Anju. ‘Everywhere I went, I was told that I was the most gorgeous woman in the world. But I never got a word of praise from him. It was as if he hadn’t noticed me.’

Three beautiful women. Three controversial relationships. Three complex characters in Khanna’s life. What is it about Rajesh Khanna, that women who loved and lost him cannot be indifferent to the memory
Vulnerable and eager for reaction, Dimple was so awestruck by her superstar husband, that she was totally subjugated and robbed of the confidence to behave in a natural manner. She wore what he liked - sarees, and mixed with the people he approved of - his chamchas. It was always his approval that mattered. Says Dimple, ‘I was always waiting for some reaction, but it never came. All my energy was spent in doing what he wanted and anticipating his approval. It was like climbing a ladder. No matter how fast I climbed, he was still many rungs ahead.’

Things became worse, when Rajesh Khanna’s films started flopping. He became more rigid and withdrew into his shell. If Anju couldn’t cope with his success, Dimple couldn’t cope with his failure. ‘He neither shared his happiness nor his sorrow and I was too frightened of giving him any kind of support. All I could do was wait in attendance just in case he needed me.’ Maybe it’s got something to do with the man that makes women involved with him feel insecure. Maybe in their insecurity, Khanna seeks his security. During her marriage, Dimple’s self-esteem was low. Rajesh Khanna was a strong force to contend with. The truth was that the two married each other for all the wrong reasons. They failed each other in every way. And separation was the only way out.

Today, distance has brought about mutual understanding between the two. When a colleague recently remarked that Dimple had a volatile temper, her separated husband was the first one to defend her. ‘I’ve been told that Dimple uses foul language when she’s in a bad mood. I’ve never experienced this side of her. She is always ladylike and polite when we were together. She was and is a good mother to her daughters. I must give her full marks for that.’

On her part, Dimple acknowledges that Khanna has been a formidable influence on her life. The impressions he has left behind cannot be wiped away. Today, if Dimple remembers the trauma of living in ‘Aashirwad’, she cannot forget the tenderness, either. ‘When he wants to charm you, he always succeeds. He is very generous - both with his purse and his heart. Anyone who comes into close contact with him will vouch for this.’ Life with Rajesh Khanna had its highs and lows. When Saagar was released two years ago, Dimple said, ‘I would have loved to have someone to share Saagar with. On second thoughts, if Mr. Khanna had been around, there would probably be no Saagar! He would never have allowed me to act in films. But when my first film flopped, I did miss Kaka.’

http://www.screenindia.com/old/fullstory.php?content_id=7148

Super Star Rajesh Khanna in Serial " RAGHUKUL REET SADA CHALT AAY":

VETERAN STAR ACTOR RAJESH KHANNA AGAIN WILL BE APPEAR ON SMALL SCREEN AFTER A LONGH GAP. MEGA T V SERIAL " RAGHUKUL REET SADA CHALI AAYI " IN WHICH HE PLAYS HEAD OF A BIG FAMMILY. THIS SOAP WILL BE AIR ON D D 1, FROM 20TH NOV. 2008. RAJESH KHANNA AND THE ENTIRE TEAM OF ABOVE SERIAL WERE PRESENT FOR THE PRESS CONFERENCE ON 14 / 11 / 08IN MUMBAI

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PHOTOS SHOWS ON THE OCCASION

1) RAJESH KHANNA ADDRESSING THE PRESS.
2) WRITER ACHALA NAGAR WITH HER SON PRODUCER- DIRECTOR SIDDHARTH
NAGAR AND RAJESH KHANNA.
3) ACTRESS JAYA BHATTACHARYA AND RAJESH KHANNA ARE CELEBRATING
LAUNCH WITH CHEERS.
4) RAJESH KHANNA IS SEEN WITH JOURNALISTS VIPUL SHAH, I M PANNU, SUMANT
MISHRA AND BHUPENDRA PATEL. KAKAJI SPENT LONG TIME WITH THESE
JOURNALISTS AT THE SAME EVENT.


http://www.mumbainagaria.com/