Rajesh Khanna

Infobox actor


imagesize = 150px
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name = Rajesh Khanna
birthname = Jatin Khanna
birthdate = birth date and age|1942|12|29
location = Amritsar, Punjab, India
deathdate =
deathplace =
othername =
years active = 1966 - present
spouse = Dimple Kapadia (1973-1984)
homepage =
notable role =
filmfareawards= Best Actor: Sachaa Jhutha (1971)
Best Actor: Anand (1972)
Best Actor: Avishkaar (1975)
Special Award(1973) (Guest role in Anurag) (1990) (successful completion of 25 years in Film Industry)
Lifetime Achievement Award (2005)

Rajesh Khanna (Hindi: राजेश खन्ना; Punjabi: ਰਾਜੇਸ਼ ਖੰਨਾ) (born Jatin Khanna on December 29, 1942 in Amritsar [http://www.bollywoodgate.com/indian-actors/rajesh-khanna.html Khanna bio] . BollywoodGate.com. Retrieved on 11 October 2008.] ) is an Indian Bollywood thespian and laureate of the Dada Saheb Phalke Legend Golden Actor Award, bestowed on him in 2008. He has also served a five year tenure as an M.P. in the Indian parliament (1991–1996). Also known as Kaka, he is one the first superstars of the Indian film industry. [http://www.upperstall.com/people/rajesh-khanna Profile] . upperstall.com. Retrieved on 11 October 2008.]

Early life

Jatin Khanna was born in Amritsar on 29 December 1942. His parents, who had been married for eighteen years and had three daughters of their own, were very keen on a son, so they adopted him. He was brought up in a very protective environment. [http://www.surfindia.com/celebrities/bollywood/rajesh-khanna.html Rajest Khanna personal profile] . SurfIndia.com. Retrieved on 11 October 2008.]

Khanna's parents had misgivings about Khanna's serious ambitions regarding a professional career in the dramatic arts. His initial foray into cinema with renowned film maker Chetan Anand was not a resounding success. Nonetheless, he persisted and did very well. His previous theatrical background assisted him with the characterization of the personas of the cinema which he portrayed.

Adult life

He debuted in "Aakhri khat" (1966), which was unsuccessful. The films where he was noticed by people were "Aurat" (1967) and "Baharoan ke sapne" (1967). He was christened with "superstar" status after his performance in "Aradhana". He went on to perform in 86 successful films and 31 unsuccessful films in his career of 25 years of starring roles until 1991.

In the 1960s, Khanna dated Anju Mahendroo. The couple drifted apart following his early success and the couple split in the early-1970s. He married Dimple Kapadia in 1973 and has two daughters from the mairrage. [http://www.rediff.com/entertai/2002/sep/13dinesh.htm An article from rediff.com dated 13-09-2002] ] Khanna and Dimple Kapadia separated in 1984, as she was interested in pursuing an acting career and his rigorous schedule kept him away much of the time. In the mid-1980s, after Dimple and Khanna seperated, Tina Munim was romantically linked with Khanna, but the relationship was short-lived. Following a few years of separation, the relationship between Kapadia and Khanna blossomed once again, and remained that of close friends. Their elder daughter Twinkle, an interior decorator, is married to Akshay Kumar and younger daughter Rinkie is married to an entrepreneur, after attending an American University.fact|date=October 2008

Career

Early success (1966–1974)

Rajesh Khanna joined the film industry after winning an All India Talent Contest through a nation-wide selection procedure by panel of judges like Bimal Roy, Chetan Anand, G.P. Sippy, Shakti Samanta and B. R. Chopra. He made his film debut in the 1966 film "Aakhri Khat", followed by "Raaz" opposite heroine Babita, which had noted Tamil actress Pandari Bai. Both films were unsuccessful. He was noticed in the next film "Baharaon ke sapne" followed by "Aurat" (1967) where he played as brother of Padmini, and then in "Khamoshi" where he played a mad man. His meteoric rise to fame came with the 1969 film "Aradhana" which was his first major success. From then on he was established as an exceptionally popular protagonist in the early 1970s, appearing in many romantic and melodramatic films, may of which were hugely successful at the box office.fact|date=October 2008 He was often paired with actresses like Mumtaz or Sharmila Tagore in this period. The Golden and Silver Jubilee hits during this period after "Aradhana" included 34 Blockbusters .fact|date=October 2008

During the peak of his career he would be mobbed during public appearances. According to the actor, fans kissed his car, leaving it covered with lipstick marks. They lined the road, cheering and chanting his name. He also claims female fans sent him letters written in their own blood.

Later career (1976–present)

Post-1976, Khanna had a string of box office flops including "Naukri", "Aaina", "Karm", "Mehbooba", "Tyaag", "Anurodh", "Aaina" and "Naukri". Media reports in late seventies suggested that success perhaps had caused Kaka to be complacent, often turning up late for shoots and throwing tantrums, as well as having a whole entourage of sycophants accompany him for his shoots. This behaviour coupled with the changing trend from romantic and social movies to action oriented multi-star films in the late-1970s and early-1980s caused the decline of Khanna's career in terms of box office rating.fact|date=October 2008

Khanna again met success with critically acclaimed box office hits like "Amardeep"; "Prem Bandhan"; and "Til Til Dalekha" (1979), a Punjabi movie which won the Punjab State Government award for best story writer in 1979. More blockbusters followed with Hindi-like "Thodisi Bewafaii", "Aanchal" (1980), "Kudrat" and "Dhanwaan" (1981). He was also praised by critics for portaying his roles in the unsuccessful "Redrose" (1980) and the successful "Dard" (1981) which, all together, brought his career back in track.fact|date=October 2008 The 1980s saw him test his versatility, performing roles including a college student, a villain, a middle-aged husband, and an old man. Successful pairings included Tina Munim,Jaya Prada, Shabana Azmi, Smita Patil, Poonam Dhillon and again with Hema Malini. He also shared a very close relationship with R.D.Burman and Kishore Kumar. The successful trio, who had a great working relationship, were friends too,fact|date=October 2008 and have together worked in more than thirty films. His most commercially successful films at the box office in this period were "Souten", "Rajput", "Avtaar", "Asha Jyothi", "Fifty fifty", "Agar Tum Na Hote", "Bandhish", "Babu", "Ashanti", "Phir wohi raat", "Maqsad", [http://boxofficeindia.com/showProd.php?itemCat=190&catName=MTk4NA=] "Akhir kyun", "Nishaan" (1983), "Alag alag", "Aawaaz", "Hum dono", "Shatru", "Bewafaaii", "Zamana", "Nazrana", "Dharam Aur Kanoon", "Angaarey", "Vijay", "Amrit", "Ghar ka chirag", and "Swarg".fact|date=October 2008 He starred in 45 films after 1975, and 41 before.

By the early-1990s, he had been out of acting for many years and served as an M.P. of New Delhi Constituency from 1991 to 1996.fact|date=October 2008 During that period, he returned to acting, appearing in "Khudai" (1994). He made a come back as an NRI in "Aa ab laut chalen" (1999) produced by the RK banner, and "Kyaa Dil Ne Kahaa" (2002) where he played elderly father roles. In 2006, he appeared in "Jaana - Let's Fall in Love" which was a direct to video release. In September 2007, he officially announced his planned return to the big screen, signing a contract for several new films.fact|date=October 2008

Television

He is the life member of the International Film And Television Research Centre, the International Film And Television Club, the Asian Academy of Film & Television. In 2001 and 2002, Rajesh played major roles in two television serials: "Aapne Parai" (B4U & DD Metro) and "Ittefaqu" (Zee TV). He signed a TV serial with Creative Eye Banner (Dhiraj Kumar) in 2007. He is also going to perform in a T.V. serial "Bhabhima", with Leena Ganguly as his co-star.

He performed in a video album based on Tagore's immortal songs (Rabindra Sangeet) without payment, and is currently in processing his own music channel viz. R.K. Music Channel.fact|date=October 2008 He has also endorsed a talent hunt programme in 2007 namely "Star se Superstar tak" as the first "superstar" of Indian cinema, under the banner of Red Carpet Entertainment and donated a Gold Trophy of Rs.1 Crore with Ms. Priyanka Chopra.

In its Silver Jubilee Episode, K for Kishore has celebrated Super Star Rajesh Khanna Special, on 14–15 March 2008.

Political career

Between 1991 and 1996, Rajesh Khanna was a member of Parliament for the Congress Party, from the New Delhi constituency. He has since been a political activist for the Congress Party. [http://www.lovemarks.com/nomination/2411 Rajesh Khanna info] . Lovemarks.com. Retrieved on 11 October 2008.]

Awards

Filmfare Awards

Won

* 1970 – Filmfare Best Actor Award for "Sachcha Jhutha"
* 1971 – Filmfare Best Actor Award for "Anand"
* 1973 – Special Award for Guest appearance for "Anurag"
* 1974 – Filmfare Best Actor Award for "Aavishkaar"
* 1990 – Special Award for graceful completion of twenty-five years most successful career in the film industry
* 2005 – Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award

Nominated

* 1969 – Filmfare Best Actor Award for "Aradhana"
* 1969 – Filmfare Best Actor Award for "Ittefaq"
* 1971 – Filmfare Best Actor Award for "Kati Patang"
* 1972 – Filmfare Best Actor Award for "Dushman"
* 1972 – Filmfare Best Actor Award for "Amar Prem"
* 1973 – Filmfare Best Actor Award for "Daag"
* 1974 – Filmfare Best Actor Award for "Prem Nagar"
* 1979 – Filmfare Best Actor Award for "Amar Deep"
* 1980 – Filmfare Best Actor Award for "Thodi Si Bewafai"
* 1981 – Filmfare Best Actor Award for "Dard"
* 1983 – Filmfare Best Actor Award for "Avtaar"

Bengal Film Journalists' Association Awards

* 1971 – Winner BFJA Awards, Best Actor for "Anand" [ [http://www.bfjaawards.com/legacy/pastwin/197235.htm BFJA Awards 1972] ]
* 1972 – Winner BFJA Awards, Best Actor for "Bawarchi" [ [http://www.bfjaawards.com/legacy/pastwin/197336.htm BFJA Awards 1973] ]
* 1974 – Winner BFJA Awards, Best Actor for "Namak Haraam" [ [http://www.bfjaawards.com/legacy/pastwin/197538.htm BFJA Awards 1975] ]
* 1987 – Winner BFJA Awards, Best Actor for "Amrit" [ [http://www.bfjaawards.com/legacy/pastwin/198750.htm BFJA Awards 1987] ]

Filmography

* "Aakhri Khat" (1966) Indrani Mukherjee
* "Raaz" (1967) Babita
* "Baharon Ke Sapne" (1967) Asha Parekh
* "Aurat" (1967) Nazima
* "Khamoshi" (1969) Waheeda Rehman
* " Badnaam Farishte" (1969) Sharmila Tagore
* "Aradhana" (1969) Sharmila Tagore
* "Do Raaste" (1969) Mumtaz
* "Doli" (1969) Babita
* "Bandhan" (1969) Mumtaz
* "Ittefaq" (1969) Nanda
* "Safar" (1970) Sharmila Tagore
* " The Train (1970) Nanda
* "Sachaa Jhutha" (1970) Mumtaz
* "Kati Patang" (1971) Asha Parekh
* "Anand" (1971) Sumita Sanyal
* "Aan Milo Sajna" (1971) Asha Parekh
* "Mehboob Ki Mehndi" (1971) Leena Chandravarkar
* "Maryada" (1971) Mala Sinha
* "Haathi Mere Saathi" (1971) Tanuja
* "Andaaz" (1971) Hema Malini
* "Chhoti Bahu" (1971) Sharmila Tagore
* "Dushman" (1972) Mumtaz
* "Amar Prem" (1972) Sharmila Tagore
* "Apna Desh" (1972) Mumtaz
* "Dil Daulat Duniya" (1972) Sadhana
* "Bawarchi" (1972) Jaya Bhaduri
* "Mere Jeevan Saathi" (1972) Tanuja
* "Maalik" (1972) Sharmila Tagore
* "Joroo Ka Ghulam" (1972) Nanda
* "Shehzada" (1972) Raakhi
* "Anuraag" (1973) Nutan
* "Raja Rani" (1973) Sharmila Tagore
* "" (1973) Sharmila Tagore
* "Namak Haraam" (1973) Rekha
* "Avishkaar" (1974) Sharmila Tagore
* "Prem Nagar" (1974) Hema Malini
* "Humshakal" (1974) Tanuja/Maushmi chetterjee
* "Aap Ki Kasam" (1974) Mumtaz
* "Ajnabee" (1974) Zeenat Aman
* "Roti" (1974) Mumtaz
* "Prem Kahani" (1975) Mumtaz
* "Jinny aur Jonny" (1975) Guest appearance
* "Aakraman" (1975) Rekha Special appearance
* "Sawa Lakh Se Ek Ladaun" (1976) Neetu Singh
* "Maha Chor" (1976) Neetu Singh
* "Bandalbaaz" (1976) Sulakshna Pandit
* "Mehbooba" (1976) Hema Malini
* "Tyaag" (1977) Sharmila Tagore
* "Karm" (1977) Vidya Sinha/Shabana Azmi
* "Chhaila Babu" (1977) Zeenat Aman
* "Chalta Purza" (1977) Parveen Bobby
* "Anurodh" (1977) Simple Kapadia
* "Aashiq Hoon Baharon Ka" (1977) Zeenat Aman
* "Aaina" (1977) Mumtaz - Special Appearance
* "Palkon Ki Chhaon Mein" (1977) Hema Malini
* "Chakravyuha" (1978) Neetu Singh
* "Bhola Bhala" (1978) Rekha/Mausami Chetterjee
* "Naukri" (1978) Zahira
* "Til Til Dalekha" (1979) Punjabi Super Hit
* "Muqabla" (1979) Special appearance
* "Janata Havaldar" (1979) Hema Malini
* "Amar Deep" (1979) Shabana Azmi
* "Prem Bandhan" (1979) Rekha/Mausami Chetterjee
* "Phir Wohi Raat" (1980) Kim
* "Bandish" (1980) Hema Malini
* "Thodisi Bewafaii" (1980) Shabana Azmi
* "Red Rose" (1980) Poonam Dhillon
* "Aanchal" (1980) Rekha
* "Kudrat" (1981) Hema Malini
* "Sundara Satarkar" (Marathi Movie -1981) Guest artist
* "Fifty Fifty" (1981) Zeenat Aman
* "Dhanwan" (1981) Reena Roy
* "Dard" (1981) Hema Malini/Poonam Dhillon
* "Jaanwar" (1982) Zeenat Aman
* "Dil-E-Nadan" (1982) Jaya Prada
* "Ashanti " (1982) Zeenat Aman
* "Suraag" (1982) Special appearance
* "Rajput" (1982) Hema Malini
* "Dharam Kanta" (1982) Sulakshna Pandit
* "Avtaar" (1983) Shabana Azmi
* "Souten" (1983) Padmini Kolhapuri/Tina Munim
* "Agar Tum Na Hote" (1983) Rekha
* "Disco Dancer" (1983) Special extended-appearance
* "Paapi Pet Ka Sawaal Hai" (1984) Jaya Prada/Tina Munim
* "Maqsad" (1984) Sri Devi/Jaya Prada
* "Dharam Aur Kanoon" (1984) Asha Parekh
* "Awaaz" (1984) Jaya Prada
* "Aaj Ka M.L.A. Ram Avtar" (1984)
* "Asha Jyoti" (1984) Rekha/Reena Roy
* "Naya Kadam" (1984)J aya Prada/Sri Devi/Padmini Kolhapuri
* "Zamana" (1985) Ranjeeta
* "Oonche Log" (1985) Salma Agha
* "Naya Bakrra" (1985) Special appearance
* "Masterji" (1985) Shri Devi
* "Insaaf Main Karoonga" (1985) Tina Munim/Padmini Kolhapure
* "Durga" (1985) Hema Malini
* "Aakhir Kyon?" (1985) Smita Patil
* "Nishan" (1985) Poonam Dhillon
* "Bewafai" (1985) Padmini Kolhapure /Meenaxi Seshadri
* "Hum Dono" (1985) Rekha/Reena Roy
* "Alag Alag" (1985) Tina Munim
* "Babu" (1985)Rati Agnohotri
* "Shatru" (1986) Sabiya
* "Mohabbat Ki Kasam" (1986) Jaya Prada
* "Angaarey" (1986) Smita Patil
* "Ghar Pariwar (1986)" Mausami Chetterjee
* "Amrit" (1986) Smita Patil
* "Adhikar" (1986) Zarina Wahab
* "Nasihat" (1986) Shabana Azmi
* "Anokha Rishta" (1986) Smita Patil
* "Sitapur Ki Geeta" (1987) Hema Malini
* "Nazrana" (1987) Shri Devi/Smita Patil
* "Awara Baap" (1987) Madhuri Dixit
* "Avam" (1987) Smita Patil
* "Goraa" (1987) Sulakshna Pandit
* "Woh Phir Aayegi" (1988)
* "Vijay" (1988) Hema Malini
* "Main Tera Dushman" (1989) Jaya Prada - Guest artist
* "Mamta ki Chaon Mein" (1989) Guest artist
* "Ghar Ka Chirag" (1989) Deepika/Neelam
* "Paap Ka Ant" (1989) Hema Malini - Guest artist
* "Swarg" (1990) Madhavi
* "Rupaye Dus Karod" (1991) Amrita Singh
* "Begunah " (1991)
* "Khudai" (1994)
* "Sautela Bhai" (1996)
* "Aa Ab Laut Chalen" (1999) Mousmi Chatterjee
* "Kyaa Dil Ne Kahaa" (2002)
* "" (2006)

References

External links

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