Rajesh Khanna & The Air of Time"

ॐ

In a congested neighbourhood of Amritsar's walled city, the 

place where the family of Rajesh Khanna who went on to 

become a Bollywood superstar in the 1970s lived, is now 

a temple.

The house in this Sikh holy city's Gali Tiwaria was donated by Rajesh and a temple was constructed several years ago.

Born Jatin Arora on Dec 29, 1942, he was adopted and raised by Shri Chunni Lal Khanna and his wife Leela Devi. They became Jatin's foster parents. They were  relatives of his biological parents. When Jatin arrived in Mumbai, they  lived in an area called ' Thakurdwar ' which is  near Girgaon, in Mumbi, Maharastra state in INDIA.

He went from being Jatin to Rajesh, thanks to his uncle who changed his name, when he decided to join films.

Rajesh Khanna was selected through a talent hunt organized by Filmfare and United Producers in 1965. This was long before television was popular in India - forget reality television. He made his debut with "Aakhri Khat" in 1966. He was affectionately called " KAKA " also - ' RK' or " Rajesh Khanna " 

He appeared as a Leading man - Hero, in about 160 films, of which 106 had him as the solo lead hero and 22 were two hero projects. Among them are ..

The List of his Films is long but here are few names :

"Ittefaque" - "Apne Paraye"- "Bawarchi" and "Namak Haram" - 'Haathi Mere Saathi'- Avishkar" - Amar - Prem - SAFAR - Raaz, -Baharon Ke Sapne - Aradhana - Kati - Patang - Baharon Ke Sapne - Aurat -
Shehzada - Apna Desh - Mere Jeevan Saathi-
Aap Ki Kasam - Ajnabee - Namak Haraam - Maha Chor, Karm - Phir Wohi Raat - Aanchal - Ashanti -
Agar Tum Na Hote -Awaaz - Hum Dono - Alag Alag ,
Rajput, Dharm Aur Qanoon - Zamana - Dil-E-Nadan, Ghar Ka Chiraag Dharam Kanta, Nishaan - Maqsad -Roti - Chhailla Babu -Chakravyuha, - Fiffty Fiffty - Amar Deep - Bewafai - Mehboob Ki Mehndi - & Swarg which was  released in 1990 

Rajesh Khanna had 15 consecutive solo super hits between 
1969 to 1971 which is still an unbroken record in Indian film 
history.

Rajesh Khanna was the first Bollywood actor for whom the term 'superstar' was coined.

He made a comeback in Aa Ab Laut Chalen (1999) and
Kyaa Dil Ne Kahaa (2002) and played the solo lead in films Sautela Bhai in 1996.

Pyar Zindagi Hai in 2001 and Wafaa in 2008.

He did 4 television serials in the period 2000-2009.

In 2001 and 2002, Rajesh played the lead in two television

serials: Aapne Parai (B4U & DD Metro) and Ittefaq

(Zee TV)

His successful TV serial' Raghukul Reet Sada Chali Aayi '

began in November 2008 and ended in September 2009.

He performed in a video album based on Tagore's songs

(Rabindra Sangeet) without payment.

He also endorsed Star se Superstar tak –

 a talent hunt programme in 2007 and donated a Gold

Trophy of Rs.1 crore.

His leading ladies are Waheeda Rehman, Nanda, Mumtaz, Sharmila Tagore, Asha Parekh , Hma Malini, Shabana azmi, Farida Jalal , Shabana Azmi, Smita Patil, Jya Prada , Padmini Kolhapuri and Poonam Dhillon Tina Munim etcetc

Personal Life :

Rajesh Khanna dated actress Anju Mahendru for around seven years. They broke up in 1972,Rajesh Khanna dated actress Anju Mahendru for around seven years.

Next year , Rajesh Khanna married Dimple Kapadia in March 1973

they have 2 lovely daughters named Twinkle  Rinkie but RK & Dimple, separated in 1984.

During the 80's actress Tina Munim was Rajesh Khanna's constant companion.

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.

Khanna was a life member of the International Film And Television Research Centre, the International Film And Television Club and the Asian Academy of Film & Television.

On 10 April 1999 Khanna inaugurated the live concert of
S.P. Balasubramanyam held at Lal Bahadur Shastri Stadium, 
Hyderabad as a tribute to R.D Burman who is often called - 
Pancham.Date : 29 Dec 1942 - 18 July 2012 |
My Memories & Tribute for : " KAKA "

Though I've only seen seen heartthrob "R. K" in Filmi functions etc I did not meet him personally . The memory I share today is about his cousin brother YASH - who often visited his Dost across from papaji's home & soon he invited us to see the Fabulous home of Rajesh Khanna called " Aasheerwaad " @ Carter Rd Bandra, Mumbai.

Yash regaled us with stories of his famous STAR brother and i recall us visiting Rajesh Khanna's home along with my sisters & my amma Susheela.

Yash showed us RK's lovely home filled with carved wooden furniture and we peeked into Kaka's wardrobe which had rainbow colored Silk & cotton Kurtas & lungis & other attire , all hanging neatly in his cupboard.

 We also found out a rare fact that ' KAKA'  loved a French Perfume / cologne Brand named Nina Ricci's iconic perfume
' La air du temps ' ~~
(The Perfume company  Nina Ricci's most famous perfume, 
  named -- ' L'Air du Temps ' ! It was  created in France in 
1949,  It means "Air of Time" capturing the passion and elegance of an emerging  generation Maria and Robert Ricci headed the Company  Nina Ricci which created
' La air du temps ' )

Humien Tumse Pyar Kitna- FILM -- Kudrat -- Link :

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

Lavnis@gmail.com

Compiled By :

- Lavanya D. Shah

- लावण्या