Bollywood is India’s version of Hollywood, where a movie star is born every other day. However, one name stands taller among a multitude of movie stars—Rajesh Khanna. Famed as the “First Superstar of Bollywood,” Rajesh Khanna stole millions of hearts with his magic, artistry, and spellbinding allure. His rise to fame was nothing less than phenomenal in Bollywood. From rising to fame back in the 1960s to attaining cult status, Rajesh Khanna’s contribution to Bollywood remains unparalleled to this date.
Early Life and Entry into Bollywood
Rajesh Khanna was born on December 29, 1942, in Amritsar, Punjab. His real name was Jatin Khanna, but he renamed himself Rajesh Khanna when he entered the film industry. His love for acting had begun quite early in his life, and he acted in several theater productions during his college days. However, it was in 1965 that the career of Rajesh Khanna took a turn when he won the All India Talent Contest organized by United Producers and Filmfare. The victory brought him into Bollywood.
The Emergence of a Superstar
Aakhri Khat was Rajesh Khanna’s first film, and it was released in 1966, marking the beginning of his Bollywood journey. The film did not exactly ring the cash registers, but one could feel that this man called Rajesh Khanna was good and would go a long way. Aradhana came in 1969, and Rajesh Khanna had to enact a double role, which proved to be a blockbuster. The film set the box office on fire, and Rajesh Khanna’s performance was lauded by the masses. There was no looking back after this.
Rajesh Khanna was the face of Bollywood during the late 1960s and throughout the 1970s. He acted back-to-back in hits like Anand, Kati Patang, Haathi Mere Saathi, and Amar Prem. His different style of acting earned him the title “King of Romance” with his captivating smile. None of his contemporaries could make the audience feel the emotions he portrayed on screen. He was the true Bollywood star during the golden era.
Iconic Roles and Unforgettable Performances
Rajesh Khanna’s contribution to Bollywood is way beyond that of a mere superstar. He has played a wide variety of characters, each carved in the hearts of people. Rajesh Khanna, in Anand, played the role of a terminally ill patient with such elegance that the movie remained in the talks of people as an instant classic. His dialogue, “Babumoshai, Zindagi badi honi chahiye, lambi nahi, “is still remembered today.
In Amar Prem, he portrayed the role of a lonely man finding solace in the company of a courtesan. The film was one poignancy in love, loneliness, and human emotions. Rajesh Khanna’s execution in this film further entrenched him into the position of Bollywood’s real star. He was one versatile actor in every role he did, which made him a household name with both directors and audiences.
The Rajesh Khanna Phenomenon
Rajesh Khanna was a phenomenon that Bollywood had never seen. During the peak periods of his career, there was such a fan following for him that was unprecedented. People lined up outside his house to catch a glimpse of their favorite star. Women penned letters in blood to him. People named their kids after him. The craziness for Rajesh Khanna knew no bounds, and he was the very embodiment of stardom in Bollywood.
During his career, Rajesh Khanna acted in over 150 films; out of these, 35 were golden jubilee hits, and 17 were silver jubilee hits. Even today, nobody has broken his record of 15 consecutive solo hit films. Rajesh Khanna’s dominance in Bollywood during the 1970s earned him the sobriquet “Kaka,” a term of endearment used by his fans.
Challenges and Decline
Later in life, Rajesh Khanna never tasted that amount of success as he did earlier. By the late 1970s, a new crop of actors began to make their presence felt—most notably that of Amitabh Bachchan. The screens began to tilt more toward action-packed films, displacing the audience’s taste from his. Even then, Rajesh Khanna continued giving some of his prime performances in films like Avtaar (1983) and Babu (1985).
Rajesh Khanna’s personal life, too, became a point of discussion for all. His marriage with Dimple Kapadia in 1973 and subsequent separation were followed by one and all. Despite all these blows, Rajesh Khanna remained very much a darling of Bollywood.
The Legacy of Rajesh Khanna
Rajesh Khanna’s contribution to Bollywood was not just limited to the films he did, but he rewrote the concept of stardom in Indian cinema. His style, the way he used to say dialogues, and the way he could relate to the audience set a yardstick for any other actor in the future. Even after his slump in Bollywood, Rajesh Khanna continued to be respected and admired for his work.
In 2012, Rajesh Khanna breathed his last, leaving behind the legacy to be followed by generations of actors. Bollywood still remembers him as the real star, a title that no other actor could ever boast. His songs, dialogues, and performances are still remembered with fondness by his fans across the world.
Conclusion
Rajesh Khanna was not just an actor; he was an emotion, a phenomenon, and a true icon of Bollywood. From a theater enthusiast to Bollywood’s first superstar, the story of his journey talks about passion, dedication, and talent. Even today, Rajesh Khanna is the real star of Bollywood, whose shining legacy will go on in the annals of Indian cinema forever.
In sum, Rajesh Khanna’s contribution to Bollywood is unrivaled. His unmatched charm and talent furthered his charisma into a household name and an incomparable superstar of his time. Indeed, the title “The Real Star of Bollywood” is very well earned by Rajesh Khanna, whose contribution to this industry will be remembered for times to come.
