Bollywood is full of talented actor and actresses, but few can compete with Rajesh Khanna, a movie idol, considered to be the first superstar of Hindi cinema. Playing a variety of roles with no help of complicated costumes or make-up, Rajesh Khanna created hundreds of unforgettable characters, receiving 74 Golden Jubilee Hits.
Jatin Khanna (the real name of an actor) was born in 1942. Raised in adopted family of railway contractors, he always dreamt of stage and film screens, playing in school and college theatrical performances. All India Talent Contest became a turning point of the actor’s life when in 1965 he became one of eight finalists out of more than 10,000 contestants.
His debut in a picture “Aakhri Khat” went unnoticed, but his spirit was strong. Soon enough Rajesh Khanna took part in a number of new films and became the most popular and loved star of the 1970s. The movie “Aaradhana” brought him a particular success and fame, where Khanna was singing “Oh, beloved of my dreams!” to each and every of his future fans. Only during three years (1969-1971), he starred in 15 solo-hit movies, so a few years later BBC even made a documentary on him called “Bombay Superstar”.
Rajesh Khanna just could not deliver an unsuccessful movie, no flops. People went to the cinemas to fall in love and cry with him - in the first part of the 1970s the whole Bollywood belonged to Rajesh. Rajesh Khanna just could not deliver an unsuccessful movie, no flops. People went to the cinemas to fall in love and cry with him - in the first part of the 1970s the whole Bollywood belonged to Rajesh.
His friends called him “Kaka”, which in Punjabi means “a baby-faced boy”. Thousands of fans tried to imitate him; thousands of women had a crush on him, marring his photo and dreaming of his gorgeous smile. To break their hearts even more, Kaka married a 16-year-old Dimple Kapadia in 1973. Even though their marriage did not last long, they established a new dynasty of movie-actors, giving birth to two daughters.
By 1980s Rajesh Khanna’s fame started to fade, he played more fathers than young lovers. Nevertheless, he became successful as a TV star, film producer, and politician.
The “Original Bollywood Superstar” died at age 69 in June 2012 due to health complications in Mumbai hospital, although, his legacy will live forever. Here is the list of the top Rajesh Khanna’s movies, according to IMDb, which every Bollywood fan must see:
1. Amar Prem (1971)
2. Aavishkar (1974)
3. Aap Ki Kasam (1974)
4. Prem Nagar (1974)
5. Kudrat (1981)
6. Roti (1974)
7. Anand (1971)
8. Red Rose (1980)
9. Babu (1985)
10. Avtaar (1983)