ODE TO RAJESH KHANNA- CAPT AJIT VADAKAYIL
Rajesh Khanna , a living legend, passed away today. It is the end of an era.
He was India's ONLY megastar--the phenomenon.
Amitabh Bachchan can never surpass him.
He was lead man in 128 movies, with 15 consecutive super-hits, which is a record which is hard to beat.. He captivated with soft dialogue delivery.
He was the charmer, with a trademark disarming smile--the quintessential romantic. Girls would swoon in a heap on just seeing him.
Old women would turn mushy -- such was his appeal as the ultimate "desi lover", soft-- caring- tender-- sensitive--
Girls married his photos and put blood as sindhur.
His car used to be covered with lip-stick marks.
Girls proposed to him by writing passionate letters in blood.
He was the only Bollywood star who could generate frenzy and mass hysteria. Nothing was stage managed as is usual nowadays.
Kids adored their Haathi mere Saathi uncle. Even today the oldies get goose bumps when they hear the song " roop tera mastana "of Aradhana ( with Sharmila in wet clothes in front of the fire )
From 1969 to 1971, it was a one horse race in Bollywood. Who could race against King Midas?
He was NOT a star son. He had NO god mother like Indira Gandhi , who wrote a recommendation letter for Amitabh Bachchan.
Can there be another, ever again?
When I was in school, plain guys wore his guru shirts and kurta, sported his hair style and they got the best lookin' gals.
ENJOY one of his songs from the 1971 movie Anand.
Here he is dying from blood cancer, yet cheerful.
What's life, its but a puzzle
it makes you laugh and then it makes you cry
Oh heart, keep dreamin', -- don't wake up
follow my dreams
when my dream goes beyond dreams , where do I go?
what's life?
Ye, who organised melas here
who shared happy times and sad times too
Ye who choose to be silent
where will you go?
Tina Munim could NOT marry him, as his first wife Dimple who married him in haste at the age of 16, (above ) would NOT divorce him.
Dimple left him to pursue here own Bollywood career. Estranged wife Dimple was at his bedside when he died--she did take care of him during his final bed ridden days.
Tina Munim after waiting enough, then married Anil Ambani of Reliance , one of this planets richest men. She used to share Rajesh Khanna's toothbrush, when they lived together from 1981 to 1987.
Wonder how she feels today.
RIP Kaka, your music stopped today-- the melody will linger forever!
far away, the day is over
dusk creeps in like a shy bride
in my garden of thoughts
someone lights my lamp of dreams
Often the breath gets heavy
eyes well with tears for no reason
someone unseen touches me
far away, the day is over--
The era of the "angry young man" arrived , when "the king of romance" Rajesh Khanna refused the lead role in Dewaar, unless some changes were introduced.
Amitabh Bachchan was taken instead.
Rest is history.
CAPT AJIT VADAKAYIL
..
Rajesh Khanna , a living legend, passed away today. It is the end of an era.
He was India's ONLY megastar--the phenomenon.
Amitabh Bachchan can never surpass him.
He was lead man in 128 movies, with 15 consecutive super-hits, which is a record which is hard to beat.. He captivated with soft dialogue delivery.
He was the charmer, with a trademark disarming smile--the quintessential romantic. Girls would swoon in a heap on just seeing him.
Old women would turn mushy -- such was his appeal as the ultimate "desi lover", soft-- caring- tender-- sensitive--
Girls married his photos and put blood as sindhur.
His car used to be covered with lip-stick marks.
Girls proposed to him by writing passionate letters in blood.
He was the only Bollywood star who could generate frenzy and mass hysteria. Nothing was stage managed as is usual nowadays.
Kids adored their Haathi mere Saathi uncle. Even today the oldies get goose bumps when they hear the song " roop tera mastana "of Aradhana ( with Sharmila in wet clothes in front of the fire )
From 1969 to 1971, it was a one horse race in Bollywood. Who could race against King Midas?
He was NOT a star son. He had NO god mother like Indira Gandhi , who wrote a recommendation letter for Amitabh Bachchan.
Can there be another, ever again?
When I was in school, plain guys wore his guru shirts and kurta, sported his hair style and they got the best lookin' gals.
ENJOY one of his songs from the 1971 movie Anand.
Here he is dying from blood cancer, yet cheerful.
zindagi …
kaisi hai paheli,
haaye
kabhi to hansaaye
kabhi ye rulaaye
zindagi …
kaisi hai paheli,
haaye
kabhi to hansaaye
kabhi ye rulaaye
kabhi dekho man nahin jaage
peechhe peechhe
sapnon ke bhaage
he kabhi dekho man
nahin jaage
peechhe peechhe
sapnon ke bhaage
ek din sapnon kaa
raahi
chalaa jaaye sapnon
ke aage kahaan
zindagi …
kaisi hai paheli,
haaye
kabhi to hansaaye
kabhi ye rulaaye
jinhone sajaaye yahaan mele
sukh-dukh sang-sang
jhele
he jinhone sajaaye
yahaan mele
sukh-dukh sang-sang
jhele
wahi chunkar
khaamoshi
yoon chale jaaye
akele kahaan
zindagi …
kaisi hai paheli,
haaye
kabhi to hansaaye
kabhi ye rulaaye
[Zindagi ...kaisi hai paheli, haaye
Kabhi to hansaaye
kabhi ye rulaaye] - 2
[Kabhi dekho man nahi jaage
peechhe peechhe sapno
ke bhaage] - 2
Ek din sapno ka raahi
chalaa jaaye sapno se
aage kaha
Zindagi ...kaisi hai
paheli, haaye
Kabhi to hansaaye
kabhi ye rulaaye
[Jinhone sajaaye yaha mele
sukh-dukh sang-sang
jhele] - 2
Wahi chunkar khaamoshi
yu chali jaaye akele
kaha
Zindagi ...kaisi hai
paheli, haaye
Kabhi to hansaaye
kabhi ye rulaaye
What's life, its but a puzzle
Kahin Door Jab Din Dhal Jaye
saanjh Ki Dulhan Badan Churaaye Chupake
Se Aaye
mere Kayaalon Ke Aangan Mein
koi Sapanon Ke Deep Jalaaye Deep Jalaaye
kahin Door Jab
Kabi Yuhi Jab Huyi, Bojhal Saansen
bhar Aayi, Baithe Baithe, Jab Yuhin
Aankhen /2x]
tabhi Machala Ke, Pyaar Se Chal Ke
chhuye Koyi Mujhe Par, Nazar Na Aaye,
Nazar Na Aaye
kahin Door Jab
nice tribute..Even though the Rajesh Khanna phenonmenon was much before i was born. I saw it as a kid still into the 80's.
ReplyDeleteThere was certain charisma he had..not replicated today by any of the Khans or Kapoors!
RIP! Have to say he was lucky to have such a supportive family.
hi aaina,
ReplyDeletewhen is the day of the stork?
capt ajit vadakayil
..
:) oh you remember its fast approaching. sometime in August.Am trying to wrap up work.
ReplyDeleteWhen do u hit the high seas again?
hi aaina,
ReplyDeleteright now i am on a sabbatical.
capt ajit vadakayil
..
what were those expected changes in deewaar?
ReplyDeleteI noticed that films from back then (in bollywood) were showing a LOT of family divisions.
Namaste Ajit sir i got one question for you can you pls tell who is the biological father of Big B is it nehru or Harivansh rai?
ReplyDelete