Introduction

Rajesh Khanna was the first superstar of Indian and Hindi Cinema with 74 Golden Jubilee Hits - (48 Platinum Jubilee hits and 26 Golden Jubilee Hits) to his credit. He acted in 180 films. By 2011, he held the record for maximum number of films as the solo lead hero and least number of multi star cast films in Hindi Cinema. He was a trendsetter too, and in the seventies and eighties, he made it fashionable to wear Guru Kurtas and wearing belts on shirts.

Early Life

Rajesh Khanna was born as Jatin Chunnilal Khanna. His biological parents were Lala Hiranand and Chandrani Khanna who migrated to Amritsar after the partition of India. Lala was a headmaster of MC High School in Burewala (in present day Pakistan). Rajesh was adopted and looked after by his foster parents Chunni Lal Khanna and Leela Wati Khanna who were relatives to his actual parents. In his early days, Rajesh attended St Sebastian’s Goan High School in Mumbai along with his friend Ravi Kapoor, who later took the stage name of Jeetendra. Rajesh won a lot of drama competitions and took part in plays in his school days. In 1962, he impressed the Chief Guest by his portrayal of a wounded soldier in a play called Andha Yug, who later asked Rajesh to join in the film world. In the early 60’s Rajesh would hop from theatres and films in his MG sports car. After finishing his BA from Nowrosjee Wadia College, Pune he went on to study at KC College Mumbai with his friend Jeetendra whom he tutored for his first audition. Later, his uncle KK Talwar changed his first name to Rajesh as soon as he entered the film world. His wife and friends called him Kaka.

Entry Into Bollywood

In 1965, Rajesh became one of the eight finalists for the All India Talent Contest organized by United Producers and Filmfare from among 10,000 contestants. He soon went on to win the contest and made it to his debut film Akhri Khat in 1966 and then a film called Raaz. Winning the prize was his chosen pathway to enter the movies. The film Akhri Khat was India’s entry for Best Foreign language film at the Oscar Academy Awards in 1967.

United producers soon got Rajesh projects like Aurat, Doli and Ittefaq. It was his 1969 film Aradhana which brought Rajesh Instant national fame and he went on to become the first superstar of India. His next commercial success was Haathi Mere Saathi in 1971, and this film is where he was credited with giving Salim Khan and Javed Akhtar to write the screenplay.

SD Burman, RD Burman and Laxmikant Pyarelal composed most of his films musical scores in those days. Some of his popular films were Kati Patang, Amar Prem, Shehzada, Apna Desh, Mere Jeevan Saathi, Aap Ki Kasam, Ajnabee, Namak Haraam, Kudrat, Agar Tum Na Hote, Hum Dono which had songs by Kishore Kumar and compositions by RD Burman.

Rajesh’s idols in those days were Guru Dutt, Meena Kumari and Geeta Bali, while he drew inspiration from Dilip Kumar’s dedication, Raj Kapoor’s spontaneity, Dev Anand’s style and Shammi Kapoor’s rhythm.

In 1970, Rajesh bought Rajendra Kumar’s Bungalow on Carter Road for Rs 31 lakhs and renamed it Aashirwad. Having gained superstar status his fans would follow him everywhere. Some girls were even married to his photograph. His next successful film was Bombay to Goa in 1972. Between 1976 and 1978 his many films included Mehbooba, Bundal Baaz, Tyaag, Naukri, Din Mein, and Janta Hawaldar while his hit films were Maha Chor, Chhailla Babu, Anurodh and Bhola Bhala.

After 1978, Rajesh’s critically acclaimed films included Amar Deep, Phir Wohi Raat, Bandish, Dard, Kudrat, Ashanti, Avtaar, Souten, Awaaz, Aaj ka MLA Ram Avtar, Shatru, Insaaf Main Karoonga, Anokha Rishta, Angaarey, Adhikar and Amrit Awam. His various roles included characters like a corrupt politician in Aaj Ka MLA Ram Avtar, a Postman in Palkon Ki Chaon Mein, a lawyer in Kudrat, a rickshaw puller in Babu, a psychopath in Redrose, a fisherman in Prem Bandhan and a musician in Asha Jyoti. He could act all his roles with complete élan.

The eighties saw Rajesh primarily act alongside Tina Munim with hits like Fifty Fifty, Suraag - the Clue, Souten, Akhir Kyun, Bewafai and Adhikar. He was also popular with actresses like Shabana Azmi, Smita Patil, Padmini Kolhapure and Poonam Dhillon in the 1980s.

He made three movies with his childhood classmate, Jeetendra, which include Dharm Kanta, Nishan and Maqsad in the 80s. His multi star films included Rajput, Dharam Aur Qanoon, Paapi Pet Ka Sawaal hai, Zamana, Dil-E- Nadaan and Ghar Ka Chirag.

In the early nineties Rajesh was serving as Congress MP but also did films like Khudai (1994) which portrayed a father and son in love with the same woman, and acted as an NRI in Aa Ab Laut Chalen (1999). His other films were Sautela Bhai (1996) Pyar Zindagi Hai (2001), Kaash Mere Hote (2009) and Riyasaat (2013).

Recognitions

Recipient of Padma Bhushan award (2013) posthumously.

Awards

• Filmfare Awards

Filmfare Award for Best Actor for Sachaa Jhutha (1971)

Filmfare Best Actor Award for Anand (1972)

Filmfare Special Guest Actor Award for Anuraag (1973)

Filmfare Best Actor Award for Avishkaar (1975)

Filmfare Special Award for completing 25 years in the Indian Film Industry (1991)

Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award (Golden Jubilee function) (2005)

• Bengal Film Journalists' Association Awards

BFJA Awards, Best Actor for Anand (1972)

BFJA Awards, Best Actor for Bawarchi (1973)

BFJA Awards, Best Actor for Namak Haraam (1974)

BFJA Awards, Best Actor for Amrit (1987)

• IIFA Awards

IIFA Lifetime Achievement Award (2009)

• Other Awards

Pride of Film Industry Award (2005)

2008 Phalke Legendary Golden Actor Award at Mumbai on the occasion of Dada Saheb Phalke Birthday celebration.

2013 First Superstar of Indian cinema award.

2004 Lifetime of Glamour award at the Kingfisher Bollywood Fashion Awards

2004 Lifetime Achievement Award at the Bollywood Awards held in US

2001 Zee Cine Lifetime Achievement Award for Contribution to Indian Cinema

1982 – Winner Lions Club, New Delhi – Best Actor Award for Dard

1994 – Winner Russian Film Festival, Uzbekistan - Best Actor for Khudai

2003 Maharashtra State Government's Raj Kapoor Awards presented on April 30, 2003

2006 Yugantar Gaurav Puraskar 2006 awarded by Chandibai Himmatmal Mansukhani (CHM) College as part of the Gaurav Diwas celebrations on 4 February 2006.

2006 Award for Outstanding contribution to Indian cinema at the 2006 Bollywood Movie Awards held on June 10, at the Centre of Excellence, Macoya

Khanna was a recipient of the Glory of India Award by IIFS, London

Khanna was awarded Mother Teresa Award

Rajesh Khanna won Bharat Jyoti National Award.

1995 – Winner Kala Ratna Award.

TV Serials

Some of Rajesh’s TV Serials include Apne Parai (B4U & DD Metro), Ittefaq on Zee TV. He endorsed Star se Superstar tak in 2007, and a Rajesh Khanna special was aired by K for Kishore in 2008. In 2007, he signed on to star in the TV serial with Dhiraj Kumar and also performed in a TV serial with Leena Ganguly in Bhabhima. His other successful TV serial was Raghukul Reet Sada Chali Aayi between November 2008 and September 2009. In the year 2009, Shemaroo Entertainment released his films and song collections entitled Screen Legends – Rajesh Khanna – The original superstar on occasion of his 67th birthday. By 2012, Rajesh was also brand ambassador for the fan company Havells and featured in solo advertisements.