From a small-town Amritsar boy to Bollywood’s first Megastar, Rajesh Khanna’s journey is nothing short of inspirational. The actor’s larger-than-life character in ‘Anand’ was celebrated across the nation just as much as his hopelessly romantic character in ‘Amar Prem’ which was loved and idolised by many.

Such was his versatility as an actor that he ruled the hearts of millions and had his fans gushing for him. Unfortunately, the Bollywood heartthrob breathed his last on July 18, 2012, leaving his fans heartbroken and desperate to see him once again on the silver screen. The late actor achieved what many could only dream of and so his memories live eternally. 

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On his ninth death anniversary, here are some tales from the superstar’s life, captured by biographer Yasser Usman in his Audible audiobook ‘Rajesh Khanna: The Untold Story of India’s First Superstar’.

“There was a long queue of women from nine to ninety outside the studio where we worked.”

Bollywood actor Sharmila Tagore mentions in the audiobook that women came out in droves to see him. They would root for even a glimpse of Rajesh Khanna and pull at his clothes when they saw him. Khanna was an idol to them, she says in the audiobook.

“There was a long queue of women from nine to ninety outside the studio where we worked. The hysteria was unprecedented,” Sharmila Tagore recalls. “He probably didn’t have the attributes that are normally associated with a hero, what he had was a disarming smile, youthful energy and an innate sense of drama and a well-modulated voice which he used to his fullest advantage,” she adds.

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Hearts were broken and many women went into a state of shock when the actor married another Bollywood Dimple Kapadia. 

“The news of Rajesh Khanna tying a knot ended up becoming the biggest event of the year. Hoards of women were left heart broken, some of them went into a state of shock, while some who previously married his photo decided to wear white to symbolize widowhood.” A magazine titled Devi called his marriage “nothing more but a publicity stunt for whatever it was worth.”

“Rajesh Khanna is finished. If he thinks this third rate shot was great, obviously his mind wasn’t working.”

During the retake of a scene in the film, Rajesh Khanna looked director Shakti Samanta in the eye and said, “isse better performance aapko India mei koi nahi dega.” This later had the director react and say, “Rajesh Khanna is finished. He is dead. If he thinks this third rate shot was great, obviously his mind wasn’t working. Contrary toShakti Samanta’s take on Rajesh Khanna’s proficiency, the film went on to become one of the reasons why he shot to fame. 

In another incident, comic-actor Mehmood revealed that it was tough to work with Rajesh Khanna on the sets of Janta Hawaldar that was released in 1979. “Mehmood even beat up Khanna before the end of filming,” tells Yasser. “Mehmood complained that it was the company that Khanna kept that destroyed his career.”

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“His fascination for whiskey and love for food started showing more than he would have liked.”

The decline of Rajesh Khanna’s career was steered by his love for alcohol and food. “Most filmmakers thought that Khanna’s off-screen troubles seeped into his work. He was popular enough to attract roles but his failures made him a second-round star. Rajesh and his films had ceased to create history.” Yasser mentions in his audiobook available on Audible.in “His fascination for whiskey and love for food started showing more than he would have liked.”

“From the years 1969 to 1972, you will find his name in any discussion for Hindi Cinema as he was the face of mainstream cinema then.”

Rajesh Khanna was just a boy from Amritsar who had a vision and knew he would make it big one day. His real name was Jatin Khanna. The actor impressed cinema lovers across the world and achieved the kind of stardom that still remains a desperate desire for many. This is not to say that he did not face struggles.

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Rajesh Khanna did it the hard way as Yasser tells, “During the United Producers Combine Talent hunt contest (1965), Jatin used his well-modulated voice to engross the judges with each passing line as he delivered a monologue during the finals, which made him beat 10000 participants.” He adds, “Rajesh Khanna’s struggles ended the day signed his contract with the United Producers Combine.”

Here’s to the first star to have a golden jubilee hit in parts of India that did not even speak Hindi. The legendary actor Rajesh Khanna is not just an actor, he’s an everlasting emotion.