Rajesh Khanna: A superstar in death too

MUMBAI: The crowded Carter Road brought back memories of Rajesh Khanna's superstardom days on Wednesday. But this time, it was to catch a final glimpse of Indian cinema's first superstar. Thousands jostled and braved the heavy downpour as they waited for hours outside his house, forcing the police to cordon off both sides of the road.
As the crowd swelled, Khanna's son-in-law Akshay Kumar came out of the house about half-an-hour after the news broke, and arrangements were made for chairs for visitors inside the house, to make an official announcement about the death."My father-in-law Rajesh Khanna is no more with us," he said.
Rajesh Khanna had been in and out of hospital at least three times in the past few months, often complaining of weakness and exhaustion. He was discharged from hospital only this Monday. Sources say the family was told to take the actor home and he too wanted to go back.
One of his fans who has been visiting the hospital and residence ever since the actor was taken ill recalls: "We used to stand outside the house to get a glimpse of him but he rarely came out. We would get lucky if he decided to come out on the balcony. He was not like today's actors, who have special darshans. He was a true superstar."
Rishi Kapoor was the first to arrive at Aashirward followed by a host of other celebrities, including Salman Khan, Shah Rukh Khan, Katrina Kaif, Imran Khan, Jeetendra, Abhishek Bachchan and Yash Chopra. Some politicians, including chief minister Prithviraj Chavan, came to pay condolences to the family.
KAKA KAHANI
*Before he married Dimple, Rajesh Khanna bought a lavish bungalow called Dimple from actor Rajendra Kumar and renamed it Aashirwad. The house had proved unlucky for "Jubilee" Kumar, but Khanna delivered 15 hits in a row, a record still unbroken
*Struggling Khanna drove himself to work and back in his own MG sports car.
*Though Khanna had a 100% success rate with Mumtaz, Hema Malini was his heroine the most number of times. They appeared in 15 films.
*Khanna was the highest paid from 1970-79 and shared the honour with Big B from 1980-87.
*Director Shekhar Kapur offered Mr India to Rajesh Khanna first, who turned it down because he couldn't relate to the invisible hero. The role finally went to Anil Kapoor.
*He had a penchant for doing off-beat roles. In Baharon ke Sapne, he played an out-of-job youth, a psychotic killer in Red Rose and a barber turned politician in Aaj Ka MLA Ram Avtar.
Listen to Rajesh Khanna's evergreen hits