Star of the seventies

Charismatic

Rajesh Khanna has recently become a brand ambassador for a fan. This ad did not, however, create the same hysteria the superstar once did in his halcyon days — the early ‘70s.

In a telephonic conversation from Mumbai, Rajesh Khanna stated, “I did the ad commercial as I liked the subject, not just for  money.

There was an aura of nostalgia about the ad and I found it quite interesting. I have received a good response to it.”

Coming to films, Rajesh Khanna says, “Last year was really sad for me.

I lost two of my idols, Shammi Kapoor and Dev Anand, in a row. The sense of rhythm of the former and the romanticism and style of the latter influenced my acting.

I am especially grateful to Dev saab for allowing Kishore Kumar to lend his voice to my characters, without a second thought, from Aradhana onwards. Earlier, Kishore Kumar rendered playback only for Dev saab.”

The first superstar of the Hindi screen analyses his own acting abilities. “I was never a classic actor. Working under the able direction of Chetan Anand, Shakti Samanta, Hrishikesh Mukherjee, Dulal Guha and Asit Sen, I matured considerably.

My memorable films include Aakhri Khat, Aradhana, Dushman, Anand, Amar Prem and Avtaar. I also enjoyed working in Safar and Bawarchi,” he says.

No other star shot to fame within a span of two years like Rajesh Khanna did, despite his limited talent. He was the heartthrob of the nation in the ‘70s and female fans literally swooned over him. Men unabashedly copied his short haircut, guru kurtas and mannerisms. He was a demi-god in the real sense of the term.

Rajesh Khanna took about two hours to deliver the right expression for his death scene in Anand. He confesses, “Initially, I was not able to express what was required of me. I conveyed the gasping but the expression of death was not coming across right. Hrishikesh Mukherjee was patient but strict.

He advised me to shut my eyes to signal death and I did put in all efforts as it was a real challenge for me.”

Rajesh Khanna is optimistic about present day cinema. He says, “There has been a lot of change and development in content as well as technique as far as modern cinema is concerned. Films are more realistic and explore areas not touched upon earlier.

I pin high hopes on Aamir Khan and Vidya Balan, in whom I notice a lot of potential. Directors like Madhur Bhandarkar and Ashutosh Gowarikar are also doing very well. But many films of today lack the eternity of a Mother India, Kaagaz Ke Phool or Guide.”

He is quick to add though, “Indian cinema is losing its originality. I neither understand nor appreciate practices such as recreating earlier classics.”

Guru Dutta, Meena Kumari and Geeta Bali have been the main inspirations for Rajesh Khanna, the actor. He explains, “I lament about not being able to work with icons like Guru Dutta and Raj Kapoor.

I still cherish my experience of emotional confrontation with Meena Kumari in Dushman. Her pathos-oriented looks inspired me to deliver my best through reactions.”

Towards the end of our conversation, Rajesh Khanna adds, “The greatest living actor of our times was Uttam Kumar. While shooting for Amar Prem, I confessed to Shakti Samanta that if I could do even 50 per cent of what Uttam Kumar did in Nishipadma, I would consider myself great.”