It’s Rajesh Khanna’s 80th birth anniversary on December 29 and his fan following, which includes industry insiders as well, are excited about the celebrations. Kaka, as he was lovingly called, was a superstar in his own terms. His smile and acting prowess has not both mesmerised and inspired many. Interestingly, he had 15 consecutive solo hit films between the years 1969 and 1971. Yeh Un Dino Ki Baat Hain star Ranndeep R Rai, who is also an admirer, talks about his favourite film of the late actor and why he loves him so much.
“Even today I watch videos that are made on his life, the stardom he had, and the way he ruled. He was the first superstar of India,” he continues, “One of my favourite Rajesh Khanna films is Anand because there is something special about the character he played in it. It’s a very refreshing role. I love his songs and the way he enacted every song was so graceful. I still keep watching his songs on YouTube. I have read and watched interviews too. Stardom he achieved, I don’t think anyone has or ever will.”
Rajesh has two biographies on him written by Yasser Usman and Narayanan Subramanian. The way his life came to an end was a bit tragic, yet he is still alive through his films and superhit songs pictured on him and sung by legendary singer Kishore Kumar.
“The end of his life was sad… I think through films, he wanted to be in front of the audiences he did whatever work he got. His personal and professional life’s ending was not so happy. work,” he says.
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Rajesh Khanna had a great rise and a great fall. The success he saw no one else saw again and his personal life also made headlines in those days. The success-failure saga and personal turmoil took a toll on his life. He had no friends when he died, though his fans existed. His life reminds us that one day all success and fame becomes a thing of the past.
“I completely agree, I have said this earlier too. I just want to do good work and entertain my fans who wait to see me onscreen. It’s the only way I connect with them by playing different characters. I can reach the audiences and my fans by performing on-screen. I don’t have that craze of becoming a superstar or sitting at the top. I want to grow as an artist, and success and fame is written in my destiny, I will get that. The only thing that matters to me is doing good work, and growing as an artist. I am not crazy behind success or failure,” he adds.
Loneliness and emptiness is a reality with successful and famous people too. “I think it’s not just with successful people, it happens to everyone. It’s very normal to feel alone,” he says.
