When Rajesh Khanna addressed criticism of him being arrogant due to his stardom: 'The public knows everything, both inside and out'

Rajesh Khanna, is still rememebred as the first superstar of Hindi cinema. While stories of his stardom and fan following are quite popular, we've also heard stories of his starry tantrums and arrogance. Many of his co-stars have said that the actor was always late on set and some have also spoken about his attitude and 'starry' lifestyle. Khanna fondly called 'Kaka' had once addressed stories about him being arrogant. The legendary actor reflected on changing human connections and the loneliness that often accompanies fame.

He said in an interview on 'Aap Ki Adalat', "Waise aajkal dil kaha milte hain, bahut mushkil se milta hai. Kise apna kKahe koi iss kabil nahi milta… Yaha pathhar toh bahut milte hain, par dil nahi milta (Well, where do you find hearts these days, they are very difficult to find. One cannot find anyone worthy of calling one’s own… Here, one can find many stones, but not heart).” His philosophical remark was greeted with loud applause from the audience.


Addressing the long-standing criticism that labelled him arrogant, Kaka firmly defended himself and credited his stardom entirely to the public. “Had I been arrogant, our audience, who lifted me from an actor to a star and then to a superstar, would have never made me any of these. The public knows everything, both inside and out. Nothing can be hidden from them. I am not worthy of being loved by such a big crowd. Respect, fame, affection and desire don’t last in this world. Where I stand today, someone else stood yesterday,” he explained.

He went on to speak about humility, self-awareness and acceptance of flaws as true markers of humanity. “Human beings are those who can accept their mistakes. A person who realises their mistake has a big heart. Those who think they are not doing anything wrong and are on the right path, on the path that god has put us on, where we will find his love, will pass through happily. Very rarely do we remain sad; only sometimes do the winds blow that way,” he added.

Khanna passed away in 2012. He was posthumously awarded the Padma Bhushan in 2013, recognising his immense contribution to Indian cinema.