“Pushpa mujhse yeh aasoon nahi dekhe jaate, I hate tears”, Rajesh Khanna’s immortal dialogue plays to one’s heartstrings 50 years after his movie, Amar Prem’s release. Such is the beloved star’s aura that we continue to miss him even now.
Also known as ‘Kaka,’ he was the first superstar of Indian cinema. In his 40-year-long career, he appeared in 180 films delivering 17 consecutive superhit films, earning him the name of Indian cinema’s first superstar. His 51-year-old box office record, till date remains unbroken. But the charisma of the star goes far beyond being a hit-maker. His films continue to be cherished for their moving dialogues and innocent romance that made the audience swoon.
To honour his legacy and to give readers a chance to once again relive his ethereal screen magic, we will showcased best films of the legendary actor to mark his 10th death anniversary.
Anand (1971)
Directed by: Hrishikesh Mukherjee
Produced by: Hrishikesh Mukherjee, N. C. Sippy
Starring: Rajesh Khanna, Amitabh Bachchan
Cinematography: Jaywant Pathare
Dr. Bhaskar Bannerjee (Amitabh Bachchan) struggles with his patients’ suffering and the darkness and poverty he confronts daily in his native India. He treats a cancer patient, Anand Saigal (Rajesh Khanna), who upon learning of his impending death determines to use the time he has left to the absolute fullest. Bannarjee’s experience with the patient leaves a profound impression on him, and so he writes a heartrending bestseller based on recorded interviews with Anand.
Kati Patang (1970)
Directed by: Shakti Samanta
Produced by: Shakti Samanta
Starring: Asha Parekh, Rajesh Khanna
Cinematography: V. Gopi Krishna
Madhvi (Asha Parekh) is an orphan living under the roof of her uncle, but when he arranges a marriage for her, she flees to the man she truly loves (Prem Chopra), discovering his infidelity in the process. She decides to leave town with her friend Poonam (also Parekh), a widow with a young son, but when their train gets into an accident, Poonam dies, leaving Madhvi to care for the child. Madhvi assumes Poonam’s identity, vowing to raise her child as the rightful heir to his family name.
Aradhana (1969)
Directed by: Shakti Samanta
Produced by: Shakti Samanta
Starring: Sharmila Tagore, Rajesh Khanna
Cinematography: Alok Dasgupta
Arun Varma (Rajesh Khanna) is an air force officer who falls in love with Vandana (Sharmila Tagore). They get married secretly, but Arun dies in an air crash, leaving Vandana devastated. Worse, she is pregnant. As she has not been officially married, Vandana’s family disowns her. Her father dies, leaving her with no place to go. With no options left, Vandana gives her son up for adoption to a couple, and stays on with them as the boy’s nanny. The boy grows up to become extremely fond of her. When Vandana goes to jail for a murder that her son (Rajesh Khanna again) had committed, he finally realizes the extent of his love for her.
Haathi Mere Saathi (1971)
Directed by: M. A. Thirumugam
Produced by: Sandow M. M. A., Chinnappa Thevar
Starring: Rajesh Khanna, Tanuja Cinematography: K. S. Prasad
Orphaned Raju (Rajesh Khanna), in the company of four elephants, has to perform with them at street corners, in order to survive. The back-story is that as an orphan, they have saved his life from a leopard. In time, he makes it big, and starts Pyar Ki Duniya (The World of Love), a zoo in which various wild animals reside along with his elephants, among whom Ramu is closest to him. Slowly he amasses a fortune, and is able to build his own private zoo, housing tigers, lions, bears, and of course the four elephants. He treats all the animals as his friends.
Amar Prem ( 1972)
Directed by: Shakti Samanta
Produced by: Shakti Samanta
Starring: Sharmila Tagore, Rajesh Khanna
Cinematography: Aloke Dasgupta
Pushpa (Sharmila Tagore) is expelled from her house by her husband and his new wife. When she refuses to leave, her husband beats her and throws her out. She goes to her mother for help, but her mother too disowns her. When she tries to commit suicide, she is sold to a brothel in Calcutta by her village-uncle, Nepal Babu (Madan Puri). On her audition at the brothel, Anand Babu (Rajesh Khanna), a businessman seeking love, is attracted by her singing. Anand Babu is unhappily married and lonely and becomes her regular and exclusive visitor as love blossoms
Rajesh Khanna is known for his memorable movies, songs, and characters and he became immortal because of his songs. ‘Kaka’ will always remain the first superstar of Hindi cinema. At the peak of his career, Khanna would be mobbed during public appearances as female fans kissed his car, which would be covered with lipstick marks. They lined the roads, cheering and chanting his name. Women sent him letters written in blood. All these things makes us still remember him and ‘Kaka’ will always stay inside our heart.
