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'''{{Infobox actor
'''{{Infobox actor
| image =
| image = Rajesh Khanna.jpg
| name = Rajesh Khanna
| name = Rajesh Khanna
| birthname = Jatin Khanna
| birthname = Jatin Khanna
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| deathplace =
| deathplace =
| othername = Superstar Rajesh Khanna <br>Kaka <br> RK
| othername = Superstar Rajesh Khanna <br>Kaka <br> RK
| yearsactive = 1966 - 1991, 1994-1999, 2008- present
| yearsactive = 1966 - 1991, 1992-1999, 2008- present
| spouse = [[Anju Mahendru]] (Ex Girl friend) <br> [[Dimple Kapadia]] (1973–1984 divorced)
| spouse = [[Anju Mahendru]] (Ex Girl friend) <br> [[Dimple Kapadia]] (1973–1984 divorced)
| homepage =
| homepage =
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}}
}}


'''Rajesh Khanna''' ({{lang-hi|राजेश खन्ना}}; [[Punjabi language|Punjabi]]: ਰਾਜੇਸ਼ ਖੰਨਾ) (born '''Jatin Khanna''' on 29 December 1942) is an Indian [[Bollywood]] actor. During his career, he won three [[Filmfare Best Actor Award]]. He was awarded the [[Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award]] in 2005.
'''Rajesh Khanna''' ({{lang-hi|राजेश खन्ना}}; [[Punjabi language|Punjabi]]: ਰਾਜੇਸ਼ ਖੰਨਾ) (born '''Jatin Khanna''' on 29 December 1942) is an Indian [[Bollywood]] thespian and officially acknowledged as the “first Superstar” of Indian cinema.<ref name="Darpan2009">{{cite book|author=Pratiyogita Darpan|title=Pratiyogita Darpan|url=http://books.google.com/?id=HCKXK1kt8U0C&pg=PT22|accessdate=16 July 2010|date=August 2009|publisher=Pratiyogita Darpan|pages=22–}}</ref> During his career, he won three [[Filmfare Best Actor Award]] and was nominated for the same fourteen times. He was awarded the [[Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award]] in 2005 besides several best actor awards and life time achievement awards of national and international reputes.
He also served a five year tenure as [[Member of Parliament|MP]] in the Indian parliament (1991&ndash;1996). He is also known as Kaka or affectionately called RK by his fans.
He also served a five year tenure as [[Member of Parliament|MP]] in the Indian parliament (1991&ndash;1996). He is also known as Kaka or affectionately called RK by his fans.


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== Early success (1966&ndash;1974) ==
== Early success (1966&ndash;1974) ==
Rajesh Khanna joined the film industry after winning an All India Talent Contest through a nation-wide selection procedure. He made his film debut in the 1966 film ''[[Aakhri khat]]'', followed by ''[[Raaz (1967 film)|Raaz]]'' opposite heroine Babita, but neither was a major success. He was noticed for his performance in his next film ''[[Baharon Ke Sapne]]'' which was followed by box office successes like ''[[Aurat (1967 film)|Aurat]]'' (1967), ''[[Khamoshi]]'', and ''[[Aradhana (1969 film)|Aradhana]]'' (1969). It was Aradhana that catapulted him to instant fame and established him as the first superstar of Indian Film Industry. In that film, Rajesh Khanna was cast in a double role (father and son) opposite Sharmila Tagore and Farida Jalal. The film also saw the resurgence of R.D.Burman and Kishore Kumar, who eventually became the official playback voice of Rajesh Khanna.
Rajesh Khanna joined the film industry after winning an All India Talent Contest through a nation-wide selection procedure. He made his film debut in the 1966 film [[Aakhri Khat]], followed by ''[[Raaz (1967 film)|Raaz]]'' opposite heroine Babita, but neither was a major success. He was noticed for his performance in his next film ''[[Baharon Ke Sapne]]'' which was followed by box office successes like ''[[Aurat (1967 film)|Aurat]]'' (1967) ,''[[Aradhana (1969 film)|Aradhana]]'' and ''[[Ittefaq]]''. It was Aradhana that catapulted him to instant fame and established him as the first superstar of Indian Film Industry<ref>http://entertainment.in.msn.com/gallery.aspx?cp-documentid=4155691&page=4</ref>.In that film, Rajesh Khanna was cast in a double role (father and son) opposite Sharmila Tagore and Farida Jalal.The film also saw the resurgence of Kishore Kumar, who eventually became the official playback voice of Rajesh Khanna.


[[Image:Aradhana.jpg|thumb|right|]]
⚫
Established as a popular protagonist, he appeared in many romantic, melodramatic and social films, often appearing with the actresses - such as [[Sharmila Tagore]], [[Asha Parekh]], [[Mumtaz (actress)|Mumtaz]], [[Hema Malini]] and [[Tina Munim]].


⚫
Established as a popular protagonist, he appeared in many romantic, melodramatic and social films, forming legendary romantic pairs with actresses namely [[Sharmila Tagore]],[[Mumtaz (actress)|Mumtaz]],[[Asha Parekh]],[[Hema Malini]] and [[Tina Munim]] in the seventies.His pairing with [[Shabana Azmi]],[[Smita Patil]] and [[Poonam Dhillon]] proved to be very lucky to him in the eighties<ref>http://entertainment.in.msn.com/gallery.aspx?cp-documentid=4155691&page=6</ref>.
⚫
During the peak of his career he would be mobbed during public appearances. Fans kissed his car, which would be covered with lipstick marks, and lined the road, cheering and chanting his name. Female fans sent him letters written in their own blood.<ref name=Rediff/>.So popular was Khanna that even actor [[Mehmood]] parodied his popularity in his hit film [[Bombay to Goa]] where the driver and conductor of the bus were called 'Rajesh' and 'Khanna'. .

Rajesh Khanna touched a raw nerve with the audiences. Whether it was the cancer-afflicted man in [[Anand (1970 film)|Anand]], or the jealousy-driven husband in [[Aap Ki Kasam]], from the animal lover in [[Haathi Mere Saathi]] to the blind but suave lover in [[Mere Jeevan Saathi]], from the silent lover in [[Amar Prem]] or the tragic protagonist in [[Namak Haraam]], Khanna had powerful scripts written with especially him in mind.

⚫
During the peak of his career he would be mobbed during public appearances. Fans kissed his car, which would be covered with lipstick marks, and lined the road, cheering and chanting his name. Female fans sent him letters written in their own blood.<ref name=Rediff/>.So popular was Khanna that even actor [[Mehmood]] parodied his popularity in his hit film [[Bombay to Goa]] where the driver and conductor of the bus were called 'Rajesh' and 'Khanna'. Even today, he remains the favourite of mimicry artists, who copy his trademark style and dialogue delivery.


Several songs sung by [[Kishore Kumar]] in the 1970s were based on Rajesh Khanna. During the filming of the song 'Mere Sapnon Ki Rani' in Aradhana, Sharmila Tagore was shooting for a Satyajit Ray film and the director Shakti Samanta had to shoot their scenes separately and then join the scenes together. Needless to say this was the most popular song of its generation and went on to become the biggest attraction of the movie Aradhana.
Several songs sung by [[Kishore Kumar]] in the 1970s were based on Rajesh Khanna. During the filming of the song 'Mere Sapnon Ki Rani' in Aradhana, Sharmila Tagore was shooting for a Satyajit Ray film and the director Shakti Samanta had to shoot their scenes separately and then join the scenes together. Needless to say this was the most popular song of its generation and went on to become the biggest attraction of the movie Aradhana.


Music remained one of the biggest attractions of all Rajesh Khanna films through out his career, and most of the best scores for his films were composed by [[S.D.Burman]] ,[[R.D. Burman]] and [[Laxmikant-Pyarelal]]. The trio of Rajesh Khanna, [[Kishore Kumar]] and [[R. D. Burman]] went on to make several hits, including [[Amar Prem]], [[Apna Desh]], [[Mere Jeevan Saathi]], [[Aap Ki Kasam]], [[Kati Patang]], [[Namak Haraam]],among others.
Music remained one of the biggest attractions of all Rajesh Khanna films through out his career, and most of the best scores for his films were composed by [[S.D.Burman]] ,[[R.D. Burman]] and [[Laxmikant-Pyarelal]]. The trio of Rajesh Khanna, [[Kishore Kumar]] and [[R. D. Burman]] went on to make several hits, including [[Amar Prem]], [[Apna Desh]], [[Mere Jeevan Saathi]], [[Aap Ki Kasam]], [[Kati Patang]], [[Namak Haraam]], [[Awaaz]], [[Aanchal (1980 film)|Aanchal]], [[Hum Dono (1985 film)|Hum Dono]], [[Alag Alag]] among others.


Rajesh Khanna had 15 consecutive hits between 1969 to 1973, which is still an unbreakable record in Indian film history. His success began to diminish in terms of box office results of his films in the period 1976–78.


== The Bad Phase 1976-78 ==
== The Bad Phase 1976-78 ==
Post-1976, Khanna had a string of box office flops up to 1978, including ''[[Mehbooba]]'' , ''[[Palkon Ki Chhaon Mein]]'',''[[Naukri(1978 film)|Naukri]]'' and ''[[Janata Havaldar]]''. Media reports in the late seventies suggested that success had perhaps caused Khanna to be complacent, often turning up late for shoots and throwing tantrums, as well as having a whole entourage of sycophants accompany him for his shoots. This behaviour coupled with the changing trend from romantic and social movies to action oriented multi-star films in the late-1970s as well as unattractive appearance due to weight gain caused the decline of Khanna's career.
Post-1976, Khanna had a string of box office flops up to 1978, including ''[[Mehbooba]]'' , ''[[Palkon Ki Chhaon Mein]]'',''[[Naukri(1978 film)|Naukri]]'' and ''[[Janata Havaldar]]'' which have achieved strong cult status over the years. Media reports in the late seventies suggested that success had perhaps caused Khanna to be complacent, often turning up late for shoots and throwing tantrums, as well as having a whole entourage of sycophants accompany him for his shoots. This behaviour coupled with the changing trend from romantic and social movies to action oriented multi-star films in the late-1970s caused the decline of Khanna's career in terms of box office ratings to some extent. However, he continued basically in solo hero social sober household meaningful films during multistar masala films' era. During this phase too he had box office hits like [[Anurodh]] , [[Chhaila Babu]], [[Tyaag]] and [[Karm]].<ref name=Rediff/>


== Later Career 1979-present ==
== Later Career 1979-present ==
Khanna met with more success with critically acclaimed box office hits such as ''[[Amardeep]]'', [[Bandish(film)|Bandish]]<ref>http://books.google.com/books?ei=zWkxTPjZN8KB8gbBzNWLAw&ct=result&id=Q5UqAAAAYAAJ&dq=bandish#search_anchor</ref>, ''[[Thodisi Bewafaii]]'', ''[[Dard]]'', ''[[Dhanwan(1981 film)|Dhanwan]]'',''[[Avtaar]]'', ''[[Agar Tum Na Hote]]'', ''[[Souten]]'' <ref>http://books.google.com/books?ei=zWkxTPjZN8KB8gbBzNWLAw&ct=result&id=Q5UqAAAAYAAJ&dq=awaaz#search_anchor</ref>. He was praised for his performance in ''[[Red Rose]]'' by the critics where he played a psychopath but the film ran into controversey and became box office failure in 1979. He did three potboiler movies with Jeetendra, which were moderate successes [[Dharam Kanta]]<ref>http://www.boxofficeindia.com/showProd.php?itemCat=188&catName=MTk4Mg==</ref> ,[[Nishaan (1983 film)|Nishaan]] and [[Maqsad]]<ref>http://www.boxofficeindia.com/showProd.php?itemCat=190&catName=MTk4NA==</ref>.The year 1985 saw him turn a producer with [[Alag Alag]]. The Film proved to be a critical and commercial failure.
Khanna met with more success again in challenging roles with critically acclaimed box office hits such as ''[[Amardeep]]'', [[Bandish (film)|Bandish]]<ref>http://books.google.com/books?ei=zWkxTPjZN8KB8gbBzNWLAw&ct=result&id=Q5UqAAAAYAAJ&dq=bandish#search_anchor</ref>, ''[[Thodisi Bewafaii]]'', ''[[Dard]]'', ''[[Dhanwan(1981 film)|Dhanwan]]'',''[[Avtaar]]'', ''[[Agar Tum Na Hote]]'', ''[[Souten]]'' ,[[Awaaz]]<ref>http://books.google.com/books?ei=zWkxTPjZN8KB8gbBzNWLAw&ct=result&id=Q5UqAAAAYAAJ&dq=awaaz#search_anchor</ref> ,[[Naya Kadam]]<ref>[http://books.google.com/books?ei=zWkxTPjZN8KB8gbBzNWLAw&ct=result&id=Q5UqAAAAYAAJ&dq=naya+kadam]#search_anchor</ref>,[[Babu (film)|Babu]],[[Aaj Ka M.L.A. Ram Avtar]], [[Shatru]], [[Nazrana]], [[Angaarey]], [[Amrit]](1979 onwards till 1989). He was praised for his performance in ''[[Red Rose]]'' by the critics where he played a psychopath but the film ran into controversy and became box office failure in 1979. He has performed in the least number of multistar films in comparison to his contemporaries and had the main central characters in the few multistarrers he acted such as [[Rajput]],[[Dharam Aur Kanoon]]<ref>http://boxofficeindia.com/cpages.php?pageName=top_actors</ref>,[[Zamana]],[[Dil-E-Nadan]],[[Ashanti]],[[Awam (film)]] and [[Ghar Ka Chiraag]].He did three potboiler movies with Jeetendra, which were big blockbusters [[Dharam Kanta]]<ref>http://www.boxofficeindia.com/showProd.php?itemCat=188&catName=MTk4Mg==</ref> ,[[Nishaan (1983 film)|Nishaan]] and [[Maqsad]]<ref>http://www.boxofficeindia.com/showProd.php?itemCat=190&catName=MTk4NA==</ref>.The year 1985 saw him turn a producer with [[Alag Alag]].Twelve films with Khanna as the lead released in the year 1985 and competed against each other and ate up the box office collection of his own films resulting in eight hits<ref>http://www.citwf.com/person241842.htm</ref>.


He shared a very close relationship with [[R.D. Burman]] and [[Kishore Kumar]]. The trio were very close friends and have worked together in more than thirty films. Kishore Kumar had even credited Rajesh Khanna for his resurgence, so much so that he sang for Rajesh Khanna's produced film,''[[Alag Alag]]'' without charging anything.Rajesh and [[Pancham]] worked together even after the death of Kishore in the film [[Sautela Bhai]].Actors who were part of the cast of most of his films include [[Ashok Kumar]],[[Sujith Kumar]], [[Prem Chopra]], [[Madan Puri]], [[Asrani]], [[Bindu]], [[Vijay Arora]] and [[A. K. Hangal]], who remained part of his " working team" since the start until the late eighties.
He shared a very close relationship with [[R.D. Burman]] and [[Kishore Kumar]]. The trio were very close friends and have worked together in more than thirty films. The king of playback singing Kishore Kumar had even credited Rajesh Khanna for his resurgence, so much so that he sang for ''[[Alag Alag]]'',the first film produced by Rajesh Khanna without charging anything<ref>http://www.desifm.com/singer_kishore_kumar.cfm</ref>. In 1985 Pancham found himself being sidelined after failure of few films but Khanna continued to stand by him.Rajesh and [[Pancham]] worked together even after the death of Kishore in the films Jai Shiv Shankar and the unreleased film Police Ke Peechhe Police,both produced by Khanna and [[Sautela Bhai]]<ref>http://www.panchamonline.com/</ref>.Khanna even helped Leena Gangully and Amit Kumar in completing Mamta Ki Chhaon Mein, the last film directed by Kishore himself as Kishore died before the completion of the film.Actors who were part of the cast of most of his films include [[Ashok Kumar]],[[Sujith Kumar]], [[Prem Chopra]], [[Madan Puri]], [[Asrani]], [[Bindu]], [[Vijay Arora]],[[Roopesh Kumar]] and [[A. K. Hangal]], who remained part of his " working team" since the start until the late eighties. The lyricist whom he prefered for his movies were [[Anand Bakshi]].His other close friends from the film industry include [[Raj Babbar]] and [[Jeetendra]].


From the early nineties onward he stopped acting and served as [[Member of parliament|M.P.]] of [[New Delhi Constituency]] from 1991 to 1996. During that period, he returned to acting, appearing in ''[[Khudai]]'' (1994). He made a comeback as a [[non-resident Indian|NRI]] in ''[[Aa Ab Laut Chalen]]'' (1999), and ''[[Kyaa Dil Ne Kahaa]]'' (2002). In September 2007, he officially announced his planned return to the big screen, signing a contract for several new films, including some Television serials.
From the early nineties onward he stopped acting and served as [[Member of parliament|M.P.]] of [[New Delhi Constituency]] from 1991 to 1996. During that period, he returned to acting, appearing in ''[[Khudai]]'' (1994). He made a comeback as a [[non-resident Indian|NRI]] in ''[[Aa Ab Laut Chalen]]'' (1999), and ''[[Kyaa Dil Ne Kahaa]]'' (2002). In September 2007, he officially announced his planned return to the big screen, signing a contract for several new films, including some Television serials.
=== Television ===
{{more sources|section|date=October 2008}}
He is a life member of the [[International Film And Television Research Centre]], the [[International Film And Television Club]] and the [[Asian Academy of Film & Television]]. He is the Guest Faculty of 'Specialized Cinema Courses At Asian School Of Media Studies'. In 2001 and 2002, Rajesh played major roles in two television serials: ''Aapne Parai'' (B4U & DD Metro) and ''Ittefaq'' (Zee TV). He performed in a video album based on Tagore's songs (Rabindra Sangeet) without payment, and is currently in the process of creating his own music channel "R.K. Music Channel". He also endorsed ''Star se Superstar tak'' - a talent hunt programme in 2007 and donated a Gold Trophy of Rs. 1 crore with [[Priyanka Chopra]].
In its Silver Jubilee Episode on 14–15 March 2008, ''K for Kishore'' aired a Rajesh Khanna special. He signed a TV serial with Creative Eye Banner (Dhiraj Kumar) in 2007, and in 2008 performed in a T.V. serial, ''Bhabhima'', with [[Leena Ganguly]] as his co-star. His successful TV serial ''[[Raghukul Reet Sada Chali Aayi]]'' began in November 2008 and ended in September 2009.<ref>{{cite web |title= Rajesh Khanna signs 8 films |url= http://movies.indiatimes.com/articleshow/2682478.cms |date= 8 January 2008 |work= Times of India |accessdate=7 August 2009}}</ref>


In 2009, on his 67th birthday [[Shemaroo Entertainment]] released his films and a song collection titled ''Screen Legends-Rajesh Khanna-the Superstar''.
In 2009, on his 67th birthday [[Shemaroo Entertainment]] released his films and a song collection titled ''Screen Legends-Rajesh Khanna-the Original Superstar''.


=== Political career ===
=== Political career ===
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* 1980 &ndash; Filmfare Best Actor Award for ''[[Amardeep]]''
* 1980 &ndash; Filmfare Best Actor Award for ''[[Amardeep]]''
* 1981 &ndash; Filmfare Best Actor Award for ''[[Thodisi Bewafaii]]''
* 1981 &ndash; Filmfare Best Actor Award for ''[[Thodisi Bewafaii]]''
* 1982 &ndash; Filmfare Best Actor Award for ''[[Dard]]''
* 1982 &ndash; Filmfare Best Actor Award for ''[[Dard]]''
* 1984 &ndash; Filmfare Best Actor Award for ''[[Avtaar]]''
* 1984 &ndash; Filmfare Best Actor Award for ''[[Avtaar]]''


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*2009 Lifetime Achievement Award for Super Star Rajesh Khanna
*2009 Lifetime Achievement Award for Super Star Rajesh Khanna


=== Tamil Cine World Award===
*2009 All India Film Workers Association Life Time Achievement Award

===International Pune Film Festival Award===
*2010 Life Time Achievement Award

===Other Awards===
* 1982 &ndash; '''Winner''' Lions Club, New Delhi– Best Actor Award for ''[[Dard]]''
* 1994 &ndash; '''Winner''' Russian Film Festival, Ujvegistan- Best Actor for ''[[Khudai]]''
*2006 Gaurav Yugantar Gaurav Puraskar awarded on 4 February 2006 by Maharastra Government

===Kala Ratna Awards===
* 1995 &ndash; '''Winner''' Kala Ratna Award
In 1995 Rajesh Khanna was honoured with the Kala Ratna Award by Punjabi Kala Sangam at Delhi by the then Human Resource Development Minister Mr. Arjun Singh.


==Filmography==
==Filmography==
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* ''[[Do Raaste]]'' (1969) Mumtaz
* ''[[Do Raaste]]'' (1969) Mumtaz
* ''[[Doli]]'' (1970) Babita
* ''[[Doli]]'' (1970) Babita
* ''[[Bandhan (1970 film)]]'' Mumtaz
* ''[[Bandhan (1969 film)]]'' Mumtaz
* ''[[Khamoshi]]'' (1970) Waheeda Rehman
* ''[[Khamoshi]]'' (1970) Waheeda Rehman
* ''[[The Train (Hindi film)|The Train]]'' (1970 film) Nanda
* ''[[The Train (Hindi film)|The Train]]'' (1970 film) Nanda
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* ''[[Namak Haraam]]'' (1973)Rekha
* ''[[Namak Haraam]]'' (1973)Rekha
* ''[[Avishkaar]]'' (1974) Sharmila Tagore
* ''[[Avishkaar]]'' (1974) Sharmila Tagore
* ''[[5 Rifles]]'' (1974) Special Appearance
* ''[[Humshakal]]'' (1974) Tanuja/Maushami Chatterjee
* ''[[Humshakal]]'' (1974) Tanuja/Maushami Chatterjee
* ''[[Aap Ki Kasam]]'' (1974) Mumtaz
* ''[[Aap Ki Kasam]]'' (1974) Mumtaz
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* ''[[Roti]]'' (1974) Mumtaz
* ''[[Roti]]'' (1974) Mumtaz
* ''[[Prem Kahani]]'' (1975) Mumtaz
* ''[[Prem Kahani]]'' (1975) Mumtaz
* ''[[Jinny aur Jonny]]'' (1975) Special Appearance
* ''[[Ginny Aur Johnny]]'' (1975) Special Appearance
* ''[[Aakraman]]'' (1975)Special appearance
* ''[[Aakraman]]'' (1975)Special appearance
* ''[[Sawa Lakh Se Ek Ladaun]]'' (1976) Neetu Singh- Special Appearance
* ''[[Sawa Lakh Se Ek Ladaun]]'' (1976) Neetu Singh- Special Appearance
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* ''[[Durga]]'' (1985) Hema Malini
* ''[[Durga]]'' (1985) Hema Malini
* ''[[Aakhir Kyon?]]'' (1985) Smita Patil
* ''[[Aakhir Kyon?]]'' (1985) Smita Patil
* ''[[Bewafai]]'' (1985) Padmini Kolhapuri /Meenaxi Seshadri
* ''[[Bewafai]]'' (1985) Padmini Kolhapuri / Meenakshi Seshadhari
{{col-3}}
{{col-3}}
* ''[[Hum Dono (1985 film)|Hum Dono]]'' (1985) Hema Malini/Reena Roy
* ''[[Hum Dono (1985 film)|Hum Dono]]'' (1985) Hema Malini/Reena Roy
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* ''[[Vijay (film)|Vijay]]'' (1988) Hema Malini
* ''[[Vijay (film)|Vijay]]'' (1988) Hema Malini
* ''[[Main Tera Dushman]]'' (1989) Jaya Prada – Guest Artist
* ''[[Main Tera Dushman]]'' (1989) Jaya Prada – Guest Artist
* ''[[Mamta ki Chaon Mein]]'' (1989) Leena Ganguly- Special Appearance
* ''[[Mamta ki Chhaon Mein]]'' (1989) Leena Ganguly- Special Appearance
* ''[[Ghar Ka Chiraag]]'' (1989) Deepika/Neelam
* ''[[Ghar Ka Chiraag]]'' (1989) Deepika/Neelam
* ''[[Paap Ka Ant]]'' (1989) Hema Malini - Special Appearance
* ''[[Paap Ka Ant]]'' (1989) Hema Malini - Special Appearance
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* ''[[Pyaar Zindagi Hai]]'' (2001)
* ''[[Pyaar Zindagi Hai]]'' (2001)
* ''[[Kyaa Dil Ne Kahaa]]'' (2002)
* ''[[Kyaa Dil Ne Kahaa]]'' (2002)
* ''[[Classic Dance Of Love]]'' (2005) - Special Appearance
* ''[[Classic Dance of Love]]'' (2005) - Special Appearance
* ''[[Jana: Let's fall in love]]'' (2006) Zeenat Aman
* ''[[Jana: Let's fall in love]]'' (2006) Zeenat Aman
* ''[[Om Shanti Om (film)|Om Shanti Om]]'' (2007)
* ''[[Om Shanti Om (film)|Om Shanti Om]]'' (2007)
Line 236: Line 258:
* ''[[Wafa: A deadly love story]]'' (2008)Laila Khan
* ''[[Wafa: A deadly love story]]'' (2008)Laila Khan
* ''[[Kash Mere Hote]]'' (2009)
* ''[[Kash Mere Hote]]'' (2009)
* ''[[Do Dilon Ke Khel Mein]]'' (12 March 2010)
* ''[[Do Dilon Ke Khel Mein]]'' (2010)
* ''[[Phir tum mil gaye]]'' (unreleased)
* ''[[Phir tum mil gaye]]'' (unreleased)
* ''[[Hello Kun hai]] ''(unreleased)Rati Agnihotri/Sara khan
* ''[[Hello Kun hai]] ''(unreleased)Rati Agnihotri/Sara khan
* ''[[Jai Shiv Shankar]]''(unreleased) Dimple Kapadia
* ''[[Jai Shiv Shankar]]''(1992)
* ''[[Door Door Sat Samandar Paar]]'' (unreleased)
* ''[[Door Door Sat Samandar Paar]]'' (unreleased)
* ''[[Police Ke Peechhe Police]]''(unreleased)
{{col-end}}
{{col-end}}


Revision as of 18:27, 11 August 2010

Rajesh Khanna
File:Rajesh Khanna.jpg
Born
Jatin Khanna
Other namesSuperstar Rajesh Khanna
Kaka
RK
Years active1966 - 1991, 1992-1999, 2008- present
Spouse(s)Anju Mahendru (Ex Girl friend)
Dimple Kapadia (1973–1984 divorced)

Rajesh Khanna (Hindi: राजेश खन्ना; Punjabi: ਰਾਜੇਸ਼ ਖੰਨਾ) (born Jatin Khanna on 29 December 1942) is an Indian Bollywood thespian and officially acknowledged as the “first Superstar” of Indian cinema.[1] During his career, he won three Filmfare Best Actor Award and was nominated for the same fourteen times. He was awarded the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award in 2005 besides several best actor awards and life time achievement awards of national and international reputes. He also served a five year tenure as MP in the Indian parliament (1991–1996). He is also known as Kaka or affectionately called RK by his fans.

Early life

Khanna was born in Amritsar on 29 December 1942. He was raised by adopted parents (relatives of his biological parents) since they were childless. Jatin lived in Thakoredwar which was near Girgaon. In the same locality another Punjabi boy Ravi Kapoor also growing up and the two became friends. Both studied in the same school – St. Sebastian’s Goan High School in Girgaum[2]. Their mothers were both keertan pals. Jatin gradually started taking interest in theatre and did a lot of plays in his school and college days. Both friends later studied in Kishinchand Chellaram (KC) College[3] .Ravi Kapoor is known to the world now as Jeetendra and Jatin as Rajesh Khanna. When Jeetendra went for his first film audition it was Khanna, who tutored him.[4]

Adult life

In the late 1960s, Khanna dated Anju Mahendru. The couple eventually drifted apart, and split in the early-1970s. He married Dimple Kapadia in 1973 and has two daughters from the marriage.[5] Khanna and Dimple Kapadia separated in 1984, as his schedule kept him away much of the time and she became interested in pursuing an acting career. After the separation, he was romantically involved with Tina Munim for a period of time. Following a few years of separation, the relationship between Kapadia and Khanna blossomed once again, and remained that of close friends. Their elder daughter Twinkle Khanna, an interior decorator and also a former Hindi film actress, is married to actor Akshay Kumar and younger daughter Rinke Khanna, also an Indian actress is married to an entrepreneur Sameer Saran.[6]

Early success (1966–1974)

Rajesh Khanna joined the film industry after winning an All India Talent Contest through a nation-wide selection procedure. He made his film debut in the 1966 film Aakhri Khat, followed by Raaz opposite heroine Babita, but neither was a major success. He was noticed for his performance in his next film Baharon Ke Sapne which was followed by box office successes like Aurat (1967) ,Aradhana and Ittefaq. It was Aradhana that catapulted him to instant fame and established him as the first superstar of Indian Film Industry[7].In that film, Rajesh Khanna was cast in a double role (father and son) opposite Sharmila Tagore and Farida Jalal.The film also saw the resurgence of Kishore Kumar, who eventually became the official playback voice of Rajesh Khanna.

Established as a popular protagonist, he appeared in many romantic, melodramatic and social films, forming legendary romantic pairs with actresses namely Sharmila Tagore,Mumtaz,Asha Parekh,Hema Malini and Tina Munim in the seventies.His pairing with Shabana Azmi,Smita Patil and Poonam Dhillon proved to be very lucky to him in the eighties[8].

Rajesh Khanna touched a raw nerve with the audiences. Whether it was the cancer-afflicted man in Anand, or the jealousy-driven husband in Aap Ki Kasam, from the animal lover in Haathi Mere Saathi to the blind but suave lover in Mere Jeevan Saathi, from the silent lover in Amar Prem or the tragic protagonist in Namak Haraam, Khanna had powerful scripts written with especially him in mind.

During the peak of his career he would be mobbed during public appearances. Fans kissed his car, which would be covered with lipstick marks, and lined the road, cheering and chanting his name. Female fans sent him letters written in their own blood.[5].So popular was Khanna that even actor Mehmood parodied his popularity in his hit film Bombay to Goa where the driver and conductor of the bus were called 'Rajesh' and 'Khanna'. Even today, he remains the favourite of mimicry artists, who copy his trademark style and dialogue delivery.

Several songs sung by Kishore Kumar in the 1970s were based on Rajesh Khanna. During the filming of the song 'Mere Sapnon Ki Rani' in Aradhana, Sharmila Tagore was shooting for a Satyajit Ray film and the director Shakti Samanta had to shoot their scenes separately and then join the scenes together. Needless to say this was the most popular song of its generation and went on to become the biggest attraction of the movie Aradhana.

Music remained one of the biggest attractions of all Rajesh Khanna films through out his career, and most of the best scores for his films were composed by S.D.Burman ,R.D. Burman and Laxmikant-Pyarelal. The trio of Rajesh Khanna, Kishore Kumar and R. D. Burman went on to make several hits, including Amar Prem, Apna Desh, Mere Jeevan Saathi, Aap Ki Kasam, Kati Patang, Namak Haraam, Awaaz, Aanchal, Hum Dono, Alag Alag among others.

Rajesh Khanna had 15 consecutive hits between 1969 to 1973, which is still an unbreakable record in Indian film history. His success began to diminish in terms of box office results of his films in the period 1976–78.

The Bad Phase 1976-78

Post-1976, Khanna had a string of box office flops up to 1978, including Mehbooba , Palkon Ki Chhaon Mein,Naukri and Janata Havaldar which have achieved strong cult status over the years. Media reports in the late seventies suggested that success had perhaps caused Khanna to be complacent, often turning up late for shoots and throwing tantrums, as well as having a whole entourage of sycophants accompany him for his shoots. This behaviour coupled with the changing trend from romantic and social movies to action oriented multi-star films in the late-1970s caused the decline of Khanna's career in terms of box office ratings to some extent. However, he continued basically in solo hero social sober household meaningful films during multistar masala films' era. During this phase too he had box office hits like Anurodh , Chhaila Babu, Tyaag and Karm.[5]

Later Career 1979-present

Khanna met with more success again in challenging roles with critically acclaimed box office hits such as Amardeep, Bandish[9], Thodisi Bewafaii, Dard, Dhanwan,Avtaar, Agar Tum Na Hote, Souten ,Awaaz[10] ,Naya Kadam[11],Babu,Aaj Ka M.L.A. Ram Avtar, Shatru, Nazrana, Angaarey, Amrit(1979 onwards till 1989). He was praised for his performance in Red Rose by the critics where he played a psychopath but the film ran into controversy and became box office failure in 1979. He has performed in the least number of multistar films in comparison to his contemporaries and had the main central characters in the few multistarrers he acted such as Rajput,Dharam Aur Kanoon[12],Zamana,Dil-E-Nadan,Ashanti,Awam (film) and Ghar Ka Chiraag.He did three potboiler movies with Jeetendra, which were big blockbusters Dharam Kanta[13] ,Nishaan and Maqsad[14].The year 1985 saw him turn a producer with Alag Alag.Twelve films with Khanna as the lead released in the year 1985 and competed against each other and ate up the box office collection of his own films resulting in eight hits[15].

He shared a very close relationship with R.D. Burman and Kishore Kumar. The trio were very close friends and have worked together in more than thirty films. The king of playback singing Kishore Kumar had even credited Rajesh Khanna for his resurgence, so much so that he sang for Alag Alag,the first film produced by Rajesh Khanna without charging anything[16]. In 1985 Pancham found himself being sidelined after failure of few films but Khanna continued to stand by him.Rajesh and Pancham worked together even after the death of Kishore in the films Jai Shiv Shankar and the unreleased film Police Ke Peechhe Police,both produced by Khanna and Sautela Bhai[17].Khanna even helped Leena Gangully and Amit Kumar in completing Mamta Ki Chhaon Mein, the last film directed by Kishore himself as Kishore died before the completion of the film.Actors who were part of the cast of most of his films include Ashok Kumar,Sujith Kumar, Prem Chopra, Madan Puri, Asrani, Bindu, Vijay Arora,Roopesh Kumar and A. K. Hangal, who remained part of his " working team" since the start until the late eighties. The lyricist whom he prefered for his movies were Anand Bakshi.His other close friends from the film industry include Raj Babbar and Jeetendra.

From the early nineties onward he stopped acting and served as M.P. of New Delhi Constituency from 1991 to 1996. During that period, he returned to acting, appearing in Khudai (1994). He made a comeback as a NRI in Aa Ab Laut Chalen (1999), and Kyaa Dil Ne Kahaa (2002). In September 2007, he officially announced his planned return to the big screen, signing a contract for several new films, including some Television serials.

Television

He is a life member of the International Film And Television Research Centre, the International Film And Television Club and the Asian Academy of Film & Television. He is the Guest Faculty of 'Specialized Cinema Courses At Asian School Of Media Studies'. In 2001 and 2002, Rajesh played major roles in two television serials: Aapne Parai (B4U & DD Metro) and Ittefaq (Zee TV). He performed in a video album based on Tagore's songs (Rabindra Sangeet) without payment, and is currently in the process of creating his own music channel "R.K. Music Channel". He also endorsed Star se Superstar tak - a talent hunt programme in 2007 and donated a Gold Trophy of Rs. 1 crore with Priyanka Chopra. In its Silver Jubilee Episode on 14–15 March 2008, K for Kishore aired a Rajesh Khanna special. He signed a TV serial with Creative Eye Banner (Dhiraj Kumar) in 2007, and in 2008 performed in a T.V. serial, Bhabhima, with Leena Ganguly as his co-star. His successful TV serial Raghukul Reet Sada Chali Aayi began in November 2008 and ended in September 2009.[18]

In 2009, on his 67th birthday Shemaroo Entertainment released his films and a song collection titled Screen Legends-Rajesh Khanna-the Original Superstar.

Political career

Rajesh Khanna was a member of Parliament for the Congress Party, from the New Delhi constituency, where he won the 1992 bye-election, retaining his seat until the 1996 election.[19] He has since been a political activist for the Congress Party..

Awards

Filmfare Awards

Won
Nominated
  • 1969 – Filmfare Best Actor Award for Aradhana
  • 1969 – Filmfare Best Actor Award for Ittefaq
  • 1971 – Filmfare Best Actor Award for Kati Patang
  • 1972 – Filmfare Best Actor Award for Dushman
  • 1972 – Filmfare Best Actor Award for Amar Prem
  • 1973 – Filmfare Best Actor Award for Daag: A Poem of Love
  • 1974 – Filmfare Best Actor Award for Prem Nagar
  • 1980 – Filmfare Best Actor Award for Amardeep
  • 1981 – Filmfare Best Actor Award for Thodisi Bewafaii
  • 1982 – Filmfare Best Actor Award for Dard
  • 1984 – Filmfare Best Actor Award for Avtaar


Bengal Film Journalists' Association Awards

Dada Saheb Phalke Academy Award

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

IIFA Award

  • 2009 Lifetime Achievement Award for Super Star Rajesh Khanna

Tamil Cine World Award

  • 2009 All India Film Workers Association Life Time Achievement Award

International Pune Film Festival Award

  • 2010 Life Time Achievement Award

Other Awards

  • 1982 – Winner Lions Club, New Delhi– Best Actor Award for Dard
  • 1994 – Winner Russian Film Festival, Ujvegistan- Best Actor for Khudai
  • 2006 Gaurav Yugantar Gaurav Puraskar awarded on 4 February 2006 by Maharastra Government

Kala Ratna Awards

  • 1995 – Winner Kala Ratna Award

In 1995 Rajesh Khanna was honoured with the Kala Ratna Award by Punjabi Kala Sangam at Delhi by the then Human Resource Development Minister Mr. Arjun Singh.

Filmography

References

  1. ^ Pratiyogita Darpan (August 2009). Pratiyogita Darpan. Pratiyogita Darpan. pp. 22–. Retrieved 16 July 2010.
  2. ^ http://www.hemu.net/films/jeetu.htm
  3. ^ http://www.kapolsamaj.com/arts.html
  4. ^ "Jeetendra-Actors-Bollywood-Celeb Interview Archives-Indiatimes Chat". Chatinterviews.indiatimes.com. 2005-10-10. Retrieved 2010-07-12.
  5. ^ a b c Raheja, Dinesh (13 September 2002). "The different avatars of Rajesh Khanna". Rediff. Retrieved 7 August 2009.
  6. ^ "Rinkie Khanna gives birth to a girl". Apunka Choice. 21 October 2004. Retrieved 7 August 2009.
  7. ^ http://entertainment.in.msn.com/gallery.aspx?cp-documentid=4155691&page=4
  8. ^ http://entertainment.in.msn.com/gallery.aspx?cp-documentid=4155691&page=6
  9. ^ http://books.google.com/books?ei=zWkxTPjZN8KB8gbBzNWLAw&ct=result&id=Q5UqAAAAYAAJ&dq=bandish#search_anchor
  10. ^ http://books.google.com/books?ei=zWkxTPjZN8KB8gbBzNWLAw&ct=result&id=Q5UqAAAAYAAJ&dq=awaaz#search_anchor
  11. ^ [1]#search_anchor
  12. ^ http://boxofficeindia.com/cpages.php?pageName=top_actors
  13. ^ http://www.boxofficeindia.com/showProd.php?itemCat=188&catName=MTk4Mg==
  14. ^ http://www.boxofficeindia.com/showProd.php?itemCat=190&catName=MTk4NA==
  15. ^ http://www.citwf.com/person241842.htm
  16. ^ http://www.desifm.com/singer_kishore_kumar.cfm
  17. ^ http://www.panchamonline.com/
  18. ^ "Rajesh Khanna signs 8 films". Times of India. 8 January 2008. Retrieved 7 August 2009.
  19. ^ Mahendra Singh Rana (1 January 2006). India votes: Lok Sabha & Vidhan Sabha elections 2001-2005. Sarup & Sons. pp. 493–. ISBN 9788176256476. Retrieved 16 July 2010.
  20. ^ BFJA Awards 1972
  21. ^ BFJA Awards 1973
  22. ^ BFJA Awards 1975
  23. ^ BFJA Awards 1987
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