Celebrating the legacy of Bollywood’s first superstar with a look at 10 timeless classics that defined Rajesh Khanna’s cinematic journey.
Rajesh Khanna is undoubtedly considered to be one of the greatest and most successful actors in Bollywood, and is often touted to be the first Superstar of Hindi cinema. He made his film debut in 1966 Aakhri Khat, and went on to star in several hit films including Aan Milo Sajna, Kati Patang, Anand, Haathi Mere Saathi, and Khamoshi, among others. His films showcased his emotional depth, and unique screen presence.
He passed away on July 18, 2012 after prolonged illness, and on his death anniversary, here’s a list of 10 Rajesh Khanna films that left an eternal mark on Bollywood:
The film explored the ideas of life and death, and highlighted the joy in the face of terminal illness. Rajesh Khanna’s character became a symbol of optimism in tragedy, and his chemistry with Amitabh Bachchan shone bright in Hrishikesh Mukherjee’s directorial. The iconic line “Zindagi badi honi chahiye, lambi nahi” still resonates with the audience.
The film, which is touted to be the turning point in Khanna’s career, had him in a double role and his romantic image won hearts across generations. The song “Roop Tera Mastana” set the benchmark for romantic Bollywood films.
Dealing with ideas of societal rejection and unspoken love, Rajesh Khanna’s portrayal of a man who gives dignity to a courtesan impacted one and all. His dialogue: “Pushpa, I hate tears” became one of the most quoted lines in Bollywood.
The film, known for its music, further cemented his romantic image and the songs picturized on Rajesh Khanna became instant hits.
In the film, Rajesh Khanna played a cook who brings peace to a broken family. Moving away from his usual romantic hero roles, the film turned out to be a family favorite and proved Khanna’s versatility.
The courtroom drama with intense emotional conflict marked Yash Chopra’s directorial debut, and Rajesh Khanna’s layered performance made it loved by one and all.
After Anand, he yet again portrayed a terminally ill character and the track “Zindagi ka safar hai yeh kaisa safar” remains iconic. With the film, he further cemented his image as the tragic romantic hero.
The film, which highlighted animal-human bond, was a massive commercial hit, and he made sure that he had mass appeal across age groups. It was also the highest-grossing Indian film of the year.
With themes of trust and jealousy, the film is still known for its emotionally intense climax and timeless songs. Rajesh Khanna featured as a man consumed by suspicion and his role was both tragic and impactful.
It offered a narrative of friendship between the working class and the elite, and highlighted social inequality. The film, which yet again starred him alongside Amitabh Bachchan, gained both critical and popular acclaim.
