Had Rajesh Khanna been alive today, he would have turned 70. On the superstar's first birth anniversary, we look back at some of his best films.
Sukanya Verma
in Mumbai
Phenomenon and Rajesh Khanna go hand in hand. He acquainted the Indian Film Industry to the height of wild adulation and heightened stardom with an inexplicable, utterly chaotic impact on the minds and hearts of his worshippers. It's a glorious chapter in the history of Hindi cinema and those who witnessed it can never forget it. Just as the man himself. Khanna or Kaka (Punjabi term of endearment for a young one) as he was fondly addressed by friends and film fraternity, is often attributed to as Bollywood's original superstar for his dazzling charisma, distinct mannerisms and a wonderful aptitude for making absurd appear amusing. While his 1966-2010 filmography is a study in extremes with cinematic gems, giant blockbusters, mindless potboilers and embarrassing drivel, there's much to celebrate and toast about the man who's tasted both -- unprecedented success and dark days of failure. Just five months short of his 70th birthday, the superstar passed away today after fighting prolonged sickness. But luminaries like him neither die nor fade. They live on in public memories, songs, smiles and spectacular silver screen moments. Here's remembering the legend through some of his landmark films. Aradhana, 1969 Although Sharmila Tagore had the author-backed role in this sentimental saga about a woman's struggles, Rajesh Khanna smiled his way into our hearts with his deliciously charming double role as a pilot father, pilot son. Suddenly all the girls in the country and their mothers were plotting ways to become the dreamboat's 'Sapnon ki rani.' Your favourite Rajesh Khanna movie? Write in! Image: Rajesh Khanna in Aradhana Yash Chopra-directed two-protagonist whodunit shows Khanna and Nanda playing a guessing/concealing game around a murder. Despite its experimental tone, not so commonplace back then, the duo's compelling, edgy performance against a taut screenplay engages from start to finish. Image: Rajesh Khanna in Ittefaq Rajesh Khanna's Arun is a hopeless romantic suffering from an emotional breakdown. The man is vulnerable, needy and, most importantly, irresistible. Waheeda Rahman agrees too. And pays a hefty price for conceding in Asit Sen's melancholic, black and white beauty, Khamoshi. Image: Rajesh Khanna and Waheeda Rehman in Khamoshi Raj Khosla's silver jubilee success, a social drama starring Balraj Sahni as a concerned sibling to step brothers Prem Chopra and Rajesh Khanna and the disparity caused after one of them gets married into high society hit a chord with the audience. Not to forget, the effortless chemistry between Khanna and Mumtaz through its breezy song 'n' dance sequences that went on to make numerous hits in the future. Image: Rajesh Khanna in Do Raaste Before Anand, Rajesh Khanna delivered a memorable dying man in Asit Sen's Safar co-starring Sharmila Tagore and Feroz Khan. Although the script has its issues, Khanna tugs your heartstrings with his touching display of magnanimity, tenderness and personal agony. Image: Rajesh Khanna in Safar Be it Aradhana, Khamoshi or Kati Patang, Kaka contributed wonderfully to woman-oriented themes. Lending yet another pitch-perfect support while making his own mark in Asha Parekh vehicle, Kati Patang, Khanna exhibits unusual confidence and charge as a performer. Image: Rajesh Khanna in Kati Patang In this classic Manmohan Desai romp, Khanna plays the dual role of an innocuous band master used as a pawn by his burgling lookalike. With Mumtaz throwing in her brand of glamour and Kalyanji-Anandji's catchy score to go, Sachaa Jhutha packs in a mix of potent masala and pleasant improbability. Image: Rajesh Khanna in Sachaa Jhutha Rajesh Khanna immortalized himself with a career-best performance in Hrishikesh Mukerjee's Anand, a film that celebrates the essence of life and inevitability of death through its inspiring philosophy and remarkable composure. Khanna embodies Anand with such tangible joy and magnitude, it's exactly what draws us to cinema for it makes us laugh, cry and get personal. Bet Babu Moshai agrees too. Image: Rajesh Khanna in Anand Khanna's romantic image boosted his female fan-following enormously. But with Haathi Mere Saathi, the actor won a lot of admiration among kids too. In this Salim-Javed helmed remake of Tamil film Nalla Neram, he plays a zoo owner where his camaraderie with the elephants and other wild beings is its greatest USPs. Image: A scene from Haathi Mere Saathi As an atonement for his folly, Khanna is forced to live under the same roof with the family of the one he has wronged. Dushman's absorbing plotline, while fulfilling the trappings of mainstream setup, permits Khanna to flex his potential as a dramatic actor. Image: Rajesh Khanna in Dushman Nothing run-of-the-mill about this, Shakti Samanta's Amar Prem is a perfect instance of creativity at its peak. Be it the Khanna-Sharmila Tagore chemistry, R D Burman's magnificent soundtrack or Samanta himself. Amar Prem's lingering symbolism and richly-layered characters capture the profundity of undefined relationships through Tagore's quietude and Khanna's cheeky cynicism veiled in jovial conduct. Image: Rajesh Khanna in Amar Prem He may don a gamcha for a cape and khaki in place of spandex but Khanna's Raghu is nothing short of a domestic superhero. From cooking and cleaning to setting things right between a topsy-turvy household with his precious gyaan and ingenious methods, Khanna's larger-than-life persona lends its magic to Hrishikesh Mukerjee's feel-good Bawarchi. Image: Rajesh Khanna in Bawarchi Yash Chopra's bold take on marital relationships made quite a statement for its times. And it took generous portions of Khanna's conviction, a robust moustache alongside pretty ladies -- the ever-reliable Tagore and exciting Raakhee, in an award-winning turn, to make it click. Image: Rajesh Khanna in Daag There's a reason why Rajesh Khanna and Sharmila Tagore worked in so many films. Their chemistry, in romance alone, has untold dimensions. Basu Bhattacharya's Avishkaar exploits this quality with his intimate portrayal of a once besotted, now disgruntled married couple to great success. Image: Rajesh Khanna in Avishkaar
Despite Mohan Kumar's taste for over-the-top sentimentality, Rajesh Khanna valiantly projects a 'proud even in humiliation' Avtaar Kishen, resonating the unflagging senior spirit though abandoned by his self-seeking sons. Avataar works primarily because instead of simply painting a pitiable picture, it shows Khanna resolutely fighting (and winning) for the cause of his age group. Image: Shabana Azmi and Rajesh Khanna in Avtaar by shanay-bafna|created - 21 Jun 2014|updated - 21 Jun 2014| Public
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1.Anand(1971)Not Rated|122 min|Drama
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The story of a terminally ill man who wishes to live life to the full before the inevitable occurs, as told by his best friend. Director:Hrishikesh Mukherjee| Stars:Rajesh Khanna, Amitabh Bachchan, Sumita Sanyal, Ramesh Deo Votes:22,875 2.Aradhana(1969)Not Rated|169 min|Drama, Musical, Romance
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Arun meets Vandana during a vacation and very soon they secretly get married.Arun is a air force pilot an dies in a crash leaving pregnant Vandana heartbroken.As her marriage was never .. See full summary » Director:Shakti Samanta| Stars:Rajesh Khanna, Sharmila Tagore, Sujit Kumar, Farida Jalal Votes:1,417 3.Amar Prem(1972)Not Rated|143 min|Drama, Musical, Romance
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A village woman abandoned by her husband is forced into prostitution in Kolkata and forms nameless yet strong relations with a wealthy patron as well as an abused boy in the neighbourhood. Director:Shakti Samanta| Stars:Rajesh Khanna, Sharmila Tagore, Sujit Kumar, Bindu Votes:1,302 Impossible song download 320kbps. 4.Sachaa Jhutha(1970)143 min|Action, Comedy, Thriller
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A penniless musician is unwittingly forced to trade places with a look-alike diamond merchant/thief causing a comedy of errors by everyone involved. Director:Manmohan Desai| Stars:Rajesh Khanna, Mumtaz, Vinod Khanna, Faryal Votes:200 5.Kati Patang(1970)Not Rated|167 min|Drama, Family, Musical
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A runaway bride promises her dying widowed friend that she will assume her identity and look after her infant child. Director:Shakti Samanta| Stars:Rajesh Khanna, Asha Parekh, Prem Chopra, Bindu Votes:773 6.Haathi Mere Saathi(1971)Not Rated|170 min|Drama, Family, Musical
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Orphaned Raju, in the company of four elephants, has to perform with them at street corners, in order to keep alive. Slowly he amasses a fortune, and is able to build his own private zoo, .. See full summary » Director:M.A. Thirumugham| Stars:Rajesh Khanna, Tanuja, David Abraham, Sujit Kumar Votes:955 7.Ajanabee(1974)Not Rated|139 min|Drama, Romance
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Middle-classed young and dashing Rohit Kumar Saxena falls in love with wealthy and lovely Reshmi, and both decide to get married. Reshmi's dad, the wealthy Diwan Sardarilal is strongly .. See full summary » Director:Shakti Samanta| Stars:Rajesh Khanna, Zeenat Aman, Prem Chopra, Asrani Votes:130 8.Aap Ki Kasam(1974)153 min|Romance, Drama
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Rajesh Khanna plays Mumtaz's jealous husband who begins to doubt her fidelity when his best friend Sanjeev Kumar enters their lives. She is unable to convince Rajesh Khanna that she loves .. See full summary » Director:J. Om Prakash| Stars:Rajesh Khanna, Mumtaz, Sanjeev Kumar, Rehman Votes:343 9.Bawarchi(1972)Not Rated|130 min|Comedy, Musical, Drama
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Squabbling Sharma family has a dubious reputation of not having any cook last there for more than a few months. Word spreads out about this family to such an extent that no person wants to .. See full summary » Director:Hrishikesh Mukherjee| Stars:Rajesh Khanna, Jaya Bhaduri, Usha Kiran, Harindranath Chattopadhyay Votes:3,104 10.Do Raaste(1969)165 min|Drama, Romance, Family
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Navendu was a young motherless boy when his father married again. The step-mother saw the fear and doubt in the eyes of the boy and she promised him that he will be like a real son to her. .. See full summary » Director:Raj Khosla| Stars:Rajesh Khanna, Mumtaz, Balraj Sahni, Prem Chopra Votes:211 This is a list of awards, honours and recognitions of Rajesh Khanna. Khanna was an IndianHindi film actor. He won four Best Actor Awards in the Bengal Film Journalists' Association Awards, and received 25 nominations. He won three Filmfare Best Actor Awards, one Filmfare Special Guest Actor Award in 1973, and received a Filmfare Special Award in 1991, after 25 years in the Hindi film industry. He received the Filmfare Life Time Achievement Award at the 50th anniversary Filmfare award ceremony in 2005. He was posthumously awarded the Padma Bhushan, India's third highest civilian award, in 2013.[1]
Civilian Awards[edit]
Filmfare Awards[edit]Winner
Nominated
Bengal Film Journalists' Association Awards[edit]Rajesh Khanna was nominated for the Bengal Film Journalists' Association Awards Best Actor 25 times, more than any other actor, and won 4 times. Winner
Nominated
Stardust Awards[edit]Winner Top 10 Rajesh Khanna Movies
Dada Saheb Phalke Academy Awards[edit]Winner
International Indian Film Academy Awards[edit]Winner
Tamil Cine World Award[edit]Winner
Pune International Film Festival (PIFF)[edit]Winner
Bollywood Movie Awards[edit]Winner
Zee Cine Awards[edit]Winner
Sansui Film Awards[edit]Winner
All India Critics Association Award[edit]Winner ![]()
Nominated
Apsara Film & Television Producers Guild Awards[edit]Winner
Other Awards[edit]Winner
Kala Ratna Award[edit]
In 1995 Rajesh Khanna was honoured with the Kala Ratna Award by Punjabi Kala Sangam at Delhi by the then Human Resource Development Minister Arjun Singh. References[edit]
External links[edit]
Retrieved from 'https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=List_of_awards_and_nominations_received_by_Rajesh_Khanna&oldid=897383587'
List of the best Rajesh Khanna movies, ranked best to worst with movie trailers when available. Rajesh Khanna's highest grossing movies have received a lot of accolades over the years, earning millions upon millions around the world. The order of these top Rajesh Khanna movies is decided by how many votes they receive, so only highly rated Rajesh Khanna movies will be at the top of the list. Rajesh Khanna has been in a lot of films, so people often debate each other over what the greatest Rajesh Khanna movie of all time is. If you and a friend are arguing about this then use this list of the most entertaining Rajesh Khanna films to end the squabble once and for all. If you think the best Rajesh Khanna role isn't at the top, then upvote it so it has the chance to become number one. The greatest Rajesh Khanna performances didn't necessarily come from the best movies, but in most cases they go hand in hand. The list you're viewing is made up of many different films, like Kyaa Dil Ne Kahaa and Babu. 'This list answers the questions, 'What are the best Rajesh Khanna movies?' and 'What are the greatest Rajesh Khanna roles of all time?'Rajesh Khanna was no stranger to working with popular directors, including Danny Denzongpa, Rishi Kapoor and Mehmood. 1AnandAmitabh Bachchan, Rajesh Khanna, Lalita Pawar
Anand is a 1971 Indian drama film written and directed by Hrishikesh Mukherjee. It stars Rajesh Khanna and Amitabh Bachchan in lead roles, with Khanna playing the title role. The dialogues were ..more
2Sachaa JhuthaRajesh Khanna, Vinod Khanna, Farida Jalal
Sachaa Jhutha is a 1970 Indian Hindi film directed by Manmohan Desai. The movie was a box-office blockbuster. The movie stars Rajesh Khanna as a simple villager, who has a look alike who is a ..more
3Amar PremRajesh Khanna, Sharmila Tagore, Satyendra Kapoor![]()
Amar Prem is a 1972 Hindi drama film directed by Shakti Samanta, based on a Bengali short story Hinger Kochuri by Bibhutibhushan Bandopadhyay about a school boy, who is ill-treated by his step ..more
4AradhanaRajesh Khanna, Ashok Kumar, Sharmila Tagore
Aradhana is a 1969 Hindi language film directed by Shakti Samanta, starring Sharmila Tagore and Rajesh Khanna. It is a remake of the 1946 Hollywood film To Each His Own. It was voted best film ..more
5BawarchiAmitabh Bachchan, Rajesh Khanna, nm2147526
Bawarchi is a 1972 Indian film directed by Hrishikesh Mukherjee starring Rajesh Khanna and Jaya Badhuri with Asrani, A.K. Hangal, Usha Kiran and Durga Khote in supporting roles. In Mukherjee's ..more
6Baharon Ke SapneRajesh Khanna, Madan Puri, Rajendra Nath
Baharon Ke Sapne is a 1967 Hindi movie under Nasir Hussain films banner. It starred Rajesh Khanna, and the Nasir Husain fixture- Asha Parekh. It also had Premnath, Madan Puri and another Nasir ..more
7KhamoshiRajesh Khanna, Dharmendra, Lalita Pawar
Khamoshi is a 1969 black-and-white Hindi drama film directed by Asit Sen, starring Rajesh Khanna and Waheeda Rehman. It especially remembered for its songs with excellent music by Hemant Kumar ..more
8Daag: A Poem of LoveRajesh Khanna, Sharmila Tagore, Kader Khan
Daag: A Poem of Love is a 1973 Bollywood film produced and directed by Yash Chopra in his debut as a producer, which laid the foundation of Yash Raj Films. It is an adaptation of the novel The ..more
9Namak HaraamAmitabh Bachchan, Rekha, Rajesh Khanna
Namak Haraam is a 1973 Indian Hindi drama film directed by Hrishikesh Mukherjee. The music is by R.D. Burman, the screenplay by Gulzar, and lyrics by Anand Bakshi. The film stars Rajesh Khanna ..more
10Hathi Mere SathiRajesh Khanna, Madan Puri, Tanuja
Haathi Mere Saathi is an Indian film from 1971. The movie has a Disneyesque appeal with an Indian twist. Haathi Mere Saathi was the biggest hit of 1971 going by box office collections, and was ..more
11Do RaasteRajesh Khanna, Prem Chopra, Asit Sen
Do Raaste is a 1969 Indian Hindi film directed by Raj Khosla. It stars Rajesh Khanna as the dutiful son and Mumtaz as his love interest. Balraj Sahni and Kamini Kaushal play the eldest son and ..more
12Mere Jeevan SaathiRajesh Khanna, Helen, Bindu
Mere Jeevan Saathi is a 1972 Bollywood romantic comedy film produced by Harish and Vinod Shah. It is directed by Ravikant Nagaich, and it stars Rajesh Khanna, Tanuja, Sujit Kumar, Bindu, Helen, ..more
13Prem NagarHema Malini, Rajesh Khanna, nm2147526
Premnagar or Prem Nagar is a 1974 Hindi drama film produced by D. Ramanaidu and directed by K.S. Prakash Rao. It stars Rajesh Khanna, Hema Malini, Aruna Irani, Ashok Kumar, Kamini Kaushal, Prem ..more
14Prem KahaniRajesh Khanna, Vinod Khanna, Shashi Kapoor
Prem Kahani is a 1975 Hindi film produced by Lekhraj Khosla, and directed and written by Raj Khosla. The film stars Rajesh Khanna, Mumtaz, Shashi Kapoor, Vinod Khanna and K. N Singh. The film's ..more
15Aap Ki KasamRajesh Khanna, nm2147526, Sanjeev Kumar
Aap Ki Kasam is a 1974 Hindi film produced by J. Om Prakash, which also marks his directorial debut. The film stars Rajesh Khanna, Mumtaz, Sanjeev Kumar, Rehman, Asrani and A. K. Hangal. The ..more
16Mehboob Ki MehndiRajesh Khanna, Iftekhar, Jagdish Raj
Mehboob Ki Mehndi is a 1971 Hindi movie produced and directed by H S Rawail. The film stars Rajesh Khanna, Leena Chandavarkar, Pradeep Kumar and Iftekhar. The music is by Laxmikant Pyarelal with ..more
17Kati PatangRajesh Khanna, Prem Chopra, Madan Puri
Kati Patang is an 1970 Indian Hindi movie produced and directed by Shakti Samanta. It was a box office success. The Hindi title of the film translates as 'Cut Kite', a kite whose cord ..more
18KudratHema Malini, Rajesh Khanna, Aruna Irani
Kudrat is a 1981 Indian drama film in Hindi written and directed by Chetan Anand. The film stars Rajesh Khanna and Hema Malini in the main lead roles supported by Raaj Kumar, Priya Rajvansh and ..more
19SafarSachin Pilgaonkar, Rajesh Khanna, Ashok Kumar
Safar is a 1970 Indian Hindi film produced by the Mushir-Riaz duo and directed by Asit Sen, based on a novel by Bengali writer Ashutosh Mukherjee. The film stars Ashok Kumar, Rajesh Khanna, ..more
20DushmanRajesh Khanna, Meena Kumari, Mumtaz
Dushman is a 1972 Hindi film produced by Premji and directed by Dulal Guha. It is based on a novel by Veerendra Sharma. The film stars Rajesh Khanna in the title role and for which he received a ..more
21Agar Tum Na HoteRekha, Rajesh Khanna, nm2147526
Agar Tum Na Hote is a 1983 Indian Bollywood film directed by Lekh Tandon. The film stars Rajesh Khanna, Rekha and Raj Babbar in leading roles.
22AndazHema Malini, Rajesh Khanna, Aruna Irani
Andaz is a 1971 Hindi romantic movie starring Rajesh Khanna, Hema Malini, Shammi Kapoor and Simi Garewal. The film was directed by Ramesh Sippy. The film was a considerable success and important ..more
23Apna DeshRajesh Khanna, Satyendra Kapoor, Madan Puri
Apna Desh is a 1972 Hindi movie. Produced by T.M. Kittu and A. V. Subramaniam and directed by Jambu. The film stars Rajesh Khanna, Mumtaz, Om Prakash, Jagdeep, Mukkamala, Madan Puri and the ..more
24RotiRajesh Khanna, Madhu, Viju Khote
Roti is a 1974 Indian Hindi language film directed by Manmohan Desai which stars Rajesh Khanna, Mumtaz, Om Prakash, Vijay Arora, and Nirupa Roy. The music is by Laxmikant Pyarelal. This film got ..more
Rajesh Khanna Songs List25AvishkaarRajesh Khanna, Sharmila Tagore, Satyendra Kapoor
Avishkaar is a 1974 Hindi movie. Produced and directed by Basu Bhattacharya the film stars Rajesh Khanna and Sharmila Tagore. The film was the part of Basu Battacharya's introspective trilogy on ..more
Sukanya Verma in MumbaiPhenomenon and Rajesh Khanna go hand in hand. He acquainted the Indian Film Industry to the height of wild adulation and heightened stardom with an inexplicable, utterly chaotic impact on the minds and hearts of his worshippers. It's a glorious chapter in the history of Hindi cinema and those who witnessed it can never forget it. Just as the man himself. Khanna or Kaka (Punjabi term of endearment for a young one) as he was fondly addressed by friends and film fraternity, is often attributed to as Bollywood's original superstar for his dazzling charisma, distinct mannerisms and a wonderful aptitude for making absurd appear amusing. While his 1966-2010 filmography is a study in extremes with cinematic gems, giant blockbusters, mindless potboilers and embarrassing drivel, there's much to celebrate and toast about the man who's tasted both -- unprecedented success and dark days of failure. Just five months short of his 70th birthday, the superstar passed away today after fighting prolonged sickness. But luminaries like him neither die nor fade. They live on in public memories, songs, smiles and spectacular silver screen moments. Here's remembering the legend through some of his landmark films. Aradhana, 1969 Although Sharmila Tagore had the author-backed role in this sentimental saga about a woman's struggles, Rajesh Khanna smiled his way into our hearts with his deliciously charming double role as a pilot father, pilot son. Suddenly all the girls in the country and their mothers were plotting ways to become the dreamboat's 'Sapnon ki rani.' Your favourite Rajesh Khanna movie? Write in! Image: Rajesh Khanna in Aradhana Yash Chopra-directed two-protagonist whodunit shows Khanna and Nanda playing a guessing/concealing game around a murder. Despite its experimental tone, not so commonplace back then, the duo's compelling, edgy performance against a taut screenplay engages from start to finish. Image: Rajesh Khanna in Ittefaq Rajesh Khanna's Arun is a hopeless romantic suffering from an emotional breakdown. The man is vulnerable, needy and, most importantly, irresistible. Waheeda Rahman agrees too. And pays a hefty price for conceding in Asit Sen's melancholic, black and white beauty, Khamoshi. Image: Rajesh Khanna and Waheeda Rehman in Khamoshi Raj Khosla's silver jubilee success, a social drama starring Balraj Sahni as a concerned sibling to step brothers Prem Chopra and Rajesh Khanna and the disparity caused after one of them gets married into high society hit a chord with the audience. Not to forget, the effortless chemistry between Khanna and Mumtaz through its breezy song 'n' dance sequences that went on to make numerous hits in the future. Image: Rajesh Khanna in Do Raaste Before Anand, Rajesh Khanna delivered a memorable dying man in Asit Sen's Safar co-starring Sharmila Tagore and Feroz Khan. Although the script has its issues, Khanna tugs your heartstrings with his touching display of magnanimity, tenderness and personal agony. Image: Rajesh Khanna in Safar Best Of Rajesh Khanna Movies 2016Be it Aradhana, Khamoshi or Kati Patang, Kaka contributed wonderfully to woman-oriented themes. Lending yet another pitch-perfect support while making his own mark in Asha Parekh vehicle, Kati Patang, Khanna exhibits unusual confidence and charge as a performer. Image: Rajesh Khanna in Kati Patang In this classic Manmohan Desai romp, Khanna plays the dual role of an innocuous band master used as a pawn by his burgling lookalike. With Mumtaz throwing in her brand of glamour and Kalyanji-Anandji's catchy score to go, Sachaa Jhutha packs in a mix of potent masala and pleasant improbability. Image: Rajesh Khanna in Sachaa Jhutha Rajesh Khanna immortalized himself with a career-best performance in Hrishikesh Mukerjee's Anand, a film that celebrates the essence of life and inevitability of death through its inspiring philosophy and remarkable composure. Khanna embodies Anand with such tangible joy and magnitude, it's exactly what draws us to cinema for it makes us laugh, cry and get personal. Bet Babu Moshai agrees too. ![]() Image: Rajesh Khanna in Anand Khanna's romantic image boosted his female fan-following enormously. But with Haathi Mere Saathi, the actor won a lot of admiration among kids too. In this Salim-Javed helmed remake of Tamil film Nalla Neram, he plays a zoo owner where his camaraderie with the elephants and other wild beings is its greatest USPs. Image: A scene from Haathi Mere Saathi As an atonement for his folly, Khanna is forced to live under the same roof with the family of the one he has wronged. Dushman's absorbing plotline, while fulfilling the trappings of mainstream setup, permits Khanna to flex his potential as a dramatic actor. Image: Rajesh Khanna in Dushman Nothing run-of-the-mill about this, Shakti Samanta's Amar Prem is a perfect instance of creativity at its peak. Be it the Khanna-Sharmila Tagore chemistry, R D Burman's magnificent soundtrack or Samanta himself. Amar Prem's lingering symbolism and richly-layered characters capture the profundity of undefined relationships through Tagore's quietude and Khanna's cheeky cynicism veiled in jovial conduct. Image: Rajesh Khanna in Amar Prem He may don a gamcha for a cape and khaki in place of spandex but Khanna's Raghu is nothing short of a domestic superhero. From cooking and cleaning to setting things right between a topsy-turvy household with his precious gyaan and ingenious methods, Khanna's larger-than-life persona lends its magic to Hrishikesh Mukerjee's feel-good Bawarchi. Image: Rajesh Khanna in Bawarchi Yash Chopra's bold take on marital relationships made quite a statement for its times. And it took generous portions of Khanna's conviction, a robust moustache alongside pretty ladies -- the ever-reliable Tagore and exciting Raakhee, in an award-winning turn, to make it click. Image: Rajesh Khanna in Daag There's a reason why Rajesh Khanna and Sharmila Tagore worked in so many films. Their chemistry, in romance alone, has untold dimensions. Basu Bhattacharya's Avishkaar exploits this quality with his intimate portrayal of a once besotted, now disgruntled married couple to great success. Image: Rajesh Khanna in Avishkaar
Despite Mohan Kumar's taste for over-the-top sentimentality, Rajesh Khanna valiantly projects a 'proud even in humiliation' Avtaar Kishen, resonating the unflagging senior spirit though abandoned by his self-seeking sons. Avataar works primarily because instead of simply painting a pitiable picture, it shows Khanna resolutely fighting (and winning) for the cause of his age group. Image: Shabana Azmi and Rajesh Khanna in Avtaar Comments are closed.
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