There has been no other star in the film industry who saw such a meteoric rise within such a short span of time. He starred in 15 consecutive solos hit films from 1969 to 1971, still an unbroken record. He was the first Hindi actor whose films ran to full houses for months on end in non-Hindi speaking areas.
He had substance as well as charisma. The innocence and freshness we can see in his performances, that vulnerable, lost look-all created a persona that gave joy to hearts and romance that made hearts skip a beat.
Rajesh Khanna (29 December 1942 – 18 July 2012) made his debut in 1966 with Aakhri Khat. During his career, he appeared in more than 168 feature films. It was the 1969 film Aradhana, he rose to "instant national fame" and film critics referred to him as the first superstar of India. In 1971, he acted in Haathi Mere Saathi, which became that year's highest-grossing film and the biggest grosser ever till then. He had all the films hits except Badnam Farishte in 1971 that was the first film flopped at the box office since his consecutive 17 hits from 1969.
.During the peak of his career he would be mobbed during public appearances. Fans kissed his car, which would be covered with lipstick marks, and lined the road, cheering and chanting his name. Female fans sent him letters written in their blood.
Music remained one of the biggest attractions of all Rajesh Khanna films throughout his career. His films were always known for the music with chartbuster soundtracks. The reason for this was that Khanna used to personally sit in music sessions with music directors such as Kalyanji Anandji, R. D. Burman, Shankar Jaikishen, Lakshmikant Pyarelal, S.D. Burman, Bappi Lahiri and select tunes for duets and solo songs in his films. He used to be personally present for the recording of the solo songs to be picturised on him.
Rajesh Khanna was indeed a Superstar, but we’re sure he wouldn’t have been the same without Kishore Kumar. Kishore Kumar who usually sang for Dev Anand and for himself in the films took the permission from Dev Anand to sing for Rajesh Khanna in Aradhana songs. It was the music of Aradhana that created two sensations in Bollywood one was Rajesh Khanna and the other was Kishore Kumar.
Song of Aradhana 1969
Song of Aradhana 1969
Song of Aradhana 1969
Song of Sachaa Jhutha 1970
Song of Kati Patang 1970
Song of Kati Patang 1970
Song of Amar Prem 1972
Song of Mere Jeevan Saathi 1972
Song of Aap Ki Kasam 1974
Song of Mehbooba 1976
Song of Agar Tum Na Hote 1983
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