{"id":8236,"date":"2012-07-18T22:43:13","date_gmt":"2012-07-19T02:43:13","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/?p=8236"},"modified":"2012-07-18T22:46:23","modified_gmt":"2012-07-19T02:46:23","slug":"rajesh-khanna-super-star-who-changed-image-of-heroes-in-hindi-cinema","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/?p=8236","title":{"rendered":"Rajesh Khanna: Super Star Who Changed Image of Heroes in Hindi Cinema"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"attachment_8240\" style=\"width: 244px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><a href=\"https:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/07\/RK71812.jpg\"><img aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-8240\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/07\/RK71812-234x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" title=\"RK71812\" width=\"234\" height=\"300\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-8240\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-8240\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Rajesh Khanna<\/p><\/div>\n<p><strong>by Ziya us Salam<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><em>(Rajesh Khanna, actor, died in Mumbai on 18 July 2012, aged 69. He was born in Amritsar on 29 December 1942. He is survived by two daughters, Twinkle and Rinke)<\/em><\/p>\n<p><strong>A<\/strong> rose, a candle, a couplet. Rajesh Khanna, Hindi cinema\u2019s first real superstar who passed away in Mumbai following a prolonged illness on Wednesday, used these props freely and easily to capture for the first time in Indian cinema a romance that was both adult and modern.<br \/>\n<!--more--><br \/>\nHe was made less by the characters he played or the lines penned by dialogue writers than his idiosyncratic mannerisms \u2014 the drawls, the pauses, the sudden sparkle in his eyes, the fresh and easy smile, and the playful tilt of the head. Even when stricken with cancer, or \u2018lymphosarcoma of the intestine \u2014 as Anand, a character he played in the film of the same name, was \u2014 that tilt and smile barely faltered.<\/p>\n<p>To understand what Rajesh Khanna was or how he altered the persona of the film hero, it is important to stress what he was not. He was not a loveable tramp like Raj Kapoor, nor a tragedy king like Dilip Kumar. He did not trade on his masculinity like Dharmendra and rarely, if ever, played the hero with shades of grey as Dev Anand liked to do. He was the stuff of soft romance, his characters often earnest and virtuous, his performances enhanced by a face that was a fortune and a style of acting that used eyes, lips, hands, and vocal chords to great effect.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"600\" height=\"450\" src=\"http:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/vo1MykK4u8U?rel=0\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe> <\/p>\n<p>Women, who were driven to distraction by his carefree and non-threatening charm, swooned over him in droves. As Sharmila Tagore, his co-star in many films, observed, the hysteria around his stardom reached feverish pitches with women marrying his photographs and pulling at his clothes. In the mid-Seventies, three women slit their wrists during the screening of Aap ki Kasam in old Delhi.<\/p>\n<p>He got his break in cinema in Chetan Anand\u2019s Aakhri Khat in 1966 as a result of winning a talent competition.<\/p>\n<p>This was followed by Ravindra Dave\u2019s Raaz, opposite Babita, which he regarded as his first major break. But it was only a couple of years later, when he made bold to play almost a second fiddle to Sharmila Tagore in Shakti Samanta\u2019s Aradhana, that a star was born. Despite being a heroine-oriented film, the mix of S.D. Burman\u2019s mesmerising music and Kishore Kumar\u2019s voice, brought Rajesh Khanna into his own. <\/p>\n<p>The song \u201cMere sapno ki rani\u201d became a youth anthem of the \u201860s and is still remembered for its memorable train sequence. Ironically it was entirely canned with Rajesh Khanna shot in a jeep in Darjeeling and Sharmila Tagore, pictured in a train, filmed in Bombay\u2019s Nataraj studio.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/07\/ad71812.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/07\/ad71812.jpg\" alt=\"\" title=\"ad71812\" width=\"200\" height=\"200\" class=\"alignright size-full wp-image-8242\" \/><\/a> <\/p>\n<p>The two would go on to forge a successful partnership in other films such as Safar and Amar Prem. He also had a fine run with Mumtaz, doing eight films with her, and in the bargain helping her to graduate from a B-grade movie actress to the top league.<\/p>\n<p>Affectionately called Kaka, he charmed and yodelled his way through a series of films such as Do Raaste, Roti, Kati Patang, Bawarchi and Anand. His success was all the more remarkable as it came at a time when the industry was still singing hosannas to the peerless Raj Kapoor, Dilip Kumar and Dev Anand. But with a record 15 consecutive superhits, there was no questioning his quick and undisputed ascent to superstardom.<\/p>\n<p>In truth, he must owe at least a small portion of his success to Kishore Kumar\u2019s songs such as \u201cMere sapno ki rani\u201d, \u201cRoop tera mastana\u201d and \u201cKarvate badalte rahe saari raat hum.\u201d. After the success of Haathi Mere Saathi, Salim-Javed who had penned the film, offered to refashion Khanna\u2019s image as an Angry Young Man. He declined. And his loss was Amitabh Bachchan\u2019s gain.<\/p>\n<p>Khanna\u2019s decline came as rapidly as his rise. After a decade of ruling the box office, his position was usurped by Bachchan, who had acted with him in Anand. Rajesh Khanna was not getting any younger and the cinema fans of the 1980s and 1990s seemed ready for a more volatile and rebellious hero. After attempts to romance the much younger Jayaprada and Sridevi in Awaaz and Masterji flopped miserably, he took on a semi-comic role in Maqsad. He tried to stay in the hunt with multi-starrers, but with the exception of Avtar, a weepy saga remembered more for its bhajan \u201cChalo bulava aaya hai,\u201d success eluded him.<\/p>\n<p>His personal life, which included a broken marriage with Dimple Kapadia, was chequered. And unlike Bachchan, he was unable to refashion himself to remain relevant in Bollywood once he reached the middle age. It was only somewhat recently that he did his first commercial, a television advertisement for a fan manufacturer. With the popular song \u201cYeh Shaam Mastani\u201d in the background and an old, almost infirm Rajesh Khanna in the foreground, it was an attempt to evoke nostalgia.<\/p>\n<p>The advertisement was greeted with mixed reactions, with many fans preferring to remember him as the man he was at the height of his powers, the charmer who successfully serenaded and seduced the best actresses on screen. But it was a reminder that Rajesh Khanna, despite his flirtation with politics and his stint as a Congress Lok Sabha MP between 1992 and 1996, always yearned to be under the arc-lights. That was his true place, even if he found it difficult to accept that stardom, like life itself, is a transient thing.<\/p>\n<p>IANS adds<\/p>\n<p>Fondly known as Kaka, Khanna worked in about 160 films including. Here is his filmography:<\/p>\n<p>1960s<\/p>\n<p>\u20141966 \u201cAkhri khat\u201c<br \/>\n\u20141967 \u201cRaaz\u201c<br \/>\n\u20141967 \u201cBaharo Ke sapne\u201c<br \/>\n\u20141967 \u201cWoman\u201c<br \/>\n\u20141968 \u201cShrimanji\u201c<br \/>\n\u20141969 \u201cKhamoshi\u201c<br \/>\n\u20141969 \u201cDoli\u201c<br \/>\n\u20141969 \u201cBandhan\u201c<br \/>\n\u20141969 \u201cAradhana\u201c<br \/>\n\u20141969 \u201cIttefaq\u201c<br \/>\n\u20141969 \u201cDo Raaste\u201c<\/p>\n<p>1970s<\/p>\n<p>\u20141970 \u201cSafar\u201c<br \/>\n\u20141970 \u201cKati Patang\u201c<br \/>\n\u20141970 \u201cThe Train\u2019<br \/>\n\u20141970 \u201cSachaa Jhutha\u201c<br \/>\n\u20141970 \u201cAan Milo Sajana\u201c<br \/>\n\u20141971 \u201cMehboob Ki Mehandi\u201c<br \/>\n\u20141971 \u201cMaryada\u201c<br \/>\n\u20141971 \u201cGuddi\u201c<br \/>\n\u20141971 \u201cDushman\u201c<br \/>\n\u20141971 \u201cAndaz\u201c<br \/>\n\u20141971 \u201cAnand\u201c<br \/>\n\u20141971 \u201cHaathi Mere Saathi\u201c<br \/>\n\u20141971 \u201cChoti Bahu\u201c<br \/>\n\u20141972 \u201cShehzada\u201c<br \/>\n\u20141972 \u201cMere Jeevan Saathi\u201c<br \/>\n\u20141972 \u201cMalik\u201c<br \/>\n\u20141972 \u201cDil Daulat Duniya\u201c<br \/>\n\u20141972 \u201cBawarchi\u201c<br \/>\n\u20141972 \u201cApna Desh\u201c<br \/>\n\u20141972 \u201cAnuraag\u201c<br \/>\n\u20141972 \u201cAmar Prem\u201c<br \/>\n\u20141972 \u201cJoroo Ka Ghulam\u201c<br \/>\n\u20141973 \u201cDaag: A Poem of Love\u201c<br \/>\n\u20141973 \u201cRaja Rani\u201c<br \/>\n\u20141973 \u201cBombay Superstar\u201c<br \/>\n\u20141973 \u201cNamak Haraam\u201c<br \/>\n\u20141974 \u201cBadhti Ka Naam Dadhi\u201c<br \/>\n\u20141974 \u201cAap Ki Kasam\u201c<br \/>\n\u20141974 \u201cPrem Nagar\u201c<br \/>\n\u20141974 \u201cAjanabee\u201c<br \/>\n\u20141974 \u201cAvishkaar\u201c<br \/>\n\u20141974 \u201cRoti\u201c<br \/>\n\u20141975 \u201cPrem Kahani\u201c<br \/>\n\u20141975 \u201cAakraman\u201c<br \/>\n\u20141976 \u201cMaha Chor\u201c<br \/>\n\u20141976 \u201cGinny Aur Johny\u201c<br \/>\n\u20141976 \u201cBundal Baaz\u201c<br \/>\n\u20141976 \u201cMehbooba\u201c<br \/>\n\u20141977 \u201cTinku\u201c<br \/>\n\u20141977 \u201cKarm\u201c<br \/>\n\u20141977 \u201cChalta Purza\u201c<br \/>\n\u20141977 \u201cAnurodh\u201c<br \/>\n\u20141977 \u201cTyaag\u201c<br \/>\n\u20141977 \u201cAaina\u201c<br \/>\n\u20141977 \u201cChhailla Babu\u201c<br \/>\n\u20141977 \u201cHatyara\u201c<br \/>\n\u20141977 \u201cPalkon Ki Chhaon Mein\u201c<br \/>\n\u20141977 \u201cAashiq Hoon Baharon Ka\u201c<br \/>\n\u20141978 \u201cChakravyuha\u201d<br \/>\n\u20141978 \u201cBhola Bhala\u201c<br \/>\n\u20141978 \u201cNaukri\u201c<br \/>\n\u20141979 \u201cMuqabla\u201c<br \/>\n\u20141979 \u201cJanta Hawaldar\u201c<br \/>\n\u20141979 \u201cBebus\u201c<br \/>\n\u20141979 \u201cAmar Deep\u201c<br \/>\n\u20141979 \u201cPrem Bandhan\u201c<\/p>\n<p>1980s<\/p>\n<p>\u20141980 \u201cBandish\u201c<br \/>\n\u20141980 \u201cRed Rose\u201c<br \/>\n\u20141980 \u201cPhir Wohi Raat\u201c<br \/>\n\u20141980 \u201cAanchal\u201c<br \/>\n\u20141981 \u201cBharosa\u201c<br \/>\n\u20141981 \u201cDushman Dost\u201c<br \/>\n\u20141981 \u201cKudrat\u201c<br \/>\n\u20141981 \u201cSundara Satarkar\u201c<br \/>\n\u20141981 \u201cDhanwan\u201c<br \/>\n\u20141981 \u201cDard\u201c<br \/>\n\u20141981 \u201cFiffty Fiffty\u201c<br \/>\n\u20141982 \u201cRajput\u201c<br \/>\n\u20141982 \u201cAshanti\u201c<br \/>\n\u20141982 \u201cDil\u2014E\u2014Nadaan\u201c<br \/>\n\u20141982 \u201cDharam Kanta\u201c<br \/>\n\u20141982 \u201cAyaash\u201c<br \/>\n\u20141982 \u201cJaanwar\u201c<br \/>\n\u20141983 \u201cAvtaar\u201c<br \/>\n\u20141983 \u201cSouten\u201c<br \/>\n\u20141983 \u201cAgar Tum Na Hote\u201c<br \/>\n\u20141984 \u201cAsha Jyoti\u201c<br \/>\n\u20141984 \u201cDharam Aur Qanoon\u201c<br \/>\n\u20141984 \u201cAwaaz\u201c<br \/>\n\u20141985 \u201cZamana\u201c<br \/>\n\u20141985 \u201cHum Dono\u201c<br \/>\n\u20141985 \u201cMasterji\u201c<br \/>\n\u20141985 \u201cBewafai\u201c<br \/>\n\u20141985 \u201cAakhir Kyon?\u201d<br \/>\n\u20141985 \u201cAlag Alag<br \/>\n\u20141985 \u201cBabu\u201c<br \/>\n\u20141985 \u201cAwara Baap\u201c<br \/>\n\u20141986 \u201cAngaaray\u201c<br \/>\n\u20141986 \u201cAmrit\u201c<br \/>\n\u20141986 \u201cAnokha Rishta\u201c<br \/>\n\u20141987 \u201cSitapur Ki Geeta\u201c<br \/>\n\u20141987 \u201cNazrana\u201c<br \/>\n\u20141988 \u201cVijay\u201c<br \/>\n\u20141989 \u201cMain Tera Dushman\u201c<br \/>\n\u20141989 \u201cGhar Ka Chiraag\u201c<\/p>\n<p>1990s<\/p>\n<p>\u20141990 \u201cJai Shiv Shankar\u201c<br \/>\n\u20141990 \u201cDushman\u201c<br \/>\n\u20141990 \u201cSwarg\u201c<br \/>\n\u20141991 \u201cGhar Parivaar\u201c<br \/>\n__1991 \u201cBegunaah\u201c<br \/>\n\u20141994 \u201cKhudai\u201c<br \/>\n\u20141999 \u201cAa Ab Laut Chalen\u201c<\/p>\n<p>2000\u20142008<\/p>\n<p>\u20142001 \u201cPyaar Zindagi Hai\u201c<br \/>\n\u20142002 \u201cKyaa Dil Ne Kahaa\u201c<br \/>\n\u20142008 \u201cWafaa\u201c<\/p>\n<p>As Producer:<\/p>\n<p>\u20141985 \u201cAlag Alag\u201d<br \/>\n\u20141989 \u201cPolice Ke Peeche Police\u201d<br \/>\n\u20141990 \u201cJai Shiv Shankar\u201d  <em>Courtesy: The Hindu<\/em><\/p>\n<div id=\"tweetbutton8236\" class=\"tw_button\" style=\"float:right;margin-left:10px;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/twitter.com\/share?url=https%3A%2F%2Fdbsjeyaraj.com%2Fdbsj%2F%3Fp%3D8236&amp;text=Rajesh%20Khanna%3A%20Super%20Star%20Who%20Changed%20Image%20of%20Heroes%20in%20Hindi%20Cinema&amp;related=&amp;lang=en&amp;count=horizontal\" class=\"twitter-share-button\"  style=\"width:55px;height:22px;background:transparent url('https:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/wp-content\/plugins\/wp-tweet-button\/tweetn.png') no-repeat  0 0;text-align:left;text-indent:-9999px;display:block;\">Tweet<\/a><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>by Ziya us Salam (Rajesh Khanna, actor, died in Mumbai on 18 July 2012, aged 69. He was born in Amritsar on 29 December 1942. He is survived by two daughters, Twinkle and Rinke) A rose, a candle, a couplet. Rajesh Khanna, Hindi cinema\u2019s first real superstar who passed away in Mumbai following a prolonged &#8230;<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/?p=8236\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading &lsquo;Rajesh Khanna: Super Star Who Changed Image of Heroes in Hindi Cinema&rsquo; &raquo;<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[12],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8236"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=8236"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8236\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":8246,"href":"https:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8236\/revisions\/8246"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=8236"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=8236"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=8236"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}