When stardom became worship: Remembering Rajesh Khanna’s golden reign

By Harsh Thakor* 

Rajesh Khanna virtually redefined Bollywood, carving out a path-breaking era. No actor in the history of Hindi cinema had ever triggered such a magnetic effect on audiences. It felt as though a comet had arrived or a new world order had been born. Mystically, a man of ordinary build and a face marked with pimples hypnotized an entire nation.

In India’s cinematic history, no other star had so deeply captured the collective mind and psyche of the nation as Rajesh Khanna. At a time when India was undergoing social transition, and issues like unemployment and inflation were rampant, Khanna offered a welcome escape. The phenomenon that lifted him to mythical heights is something sociologists ought to explore.

Born in Amritsar on December 19, 1942, Rajesh Khanna was adopted by a childless couple who were close to his biological parents and was raised as a pampered child. He won the United Producers Talent Contest in 1966 at the age of 23, which led to his debut in Aakhri Khat, where he compellingly portrayed a city-based sculptor in love with a village girl, showcasing emotions like tenderness, anxiety, guilt, and frustration.

In his next three films—Raaz, Baharon Ke Sapne, and Aurat—he gave little indication of the magic to come. But then came Aradhana in November 1969, a film that exploded like lightning from nowhere. With a blend of drama, romance, and unforgettable music, it became a superhit. Khanna stirred the nation's soul, charming young women in his black Nepali cap and capturing the hearts of middle-aged viewers as a flight lieutenant. A month later, in Do Raaste, he delivered a nuanced performance, blending passion with restraint. These two films sparked what became known as the Rajesh Khanna phenomenon.

He followed this with a streak of superhits: Bandhan, Sachaa Jhutha, Aan Milo Sajna, Kati Patang, Safar, The Train, Anand, Haathi Mere Saathi, Dushman, Maryada, Andaz, and Amar Prem. The music of these films carried their soul, with Khanna projecting emotions through his signature style—shaking his head, gently lowering his eyelids, and lifting his hands in the air.

Rajesh’s acting was a unique blend of Dev Anand’s charm and playfulness with a touch of Dilip Kumar’s intensity, infused with his own style. With nuance, he could portray deep emotion without being overbearing. He convincingly played a range of characters—a sensitive lover, a playful yet reliable husband, a caring brother—whether urban or rural. His characters often belonged to the upper-middle class, like the forest officer in Kati Patang, the flight lieutenant in Aradhana, and the Bengali gentleman in Amar Prem. But he also portrayed working-class characters: a cook in Bawarchi, a clerk in Apna Desh, a mill worker in Namak Haraam, a rustic musician in Sachaa Jhutha, and an unemployed youth in Baharon Ke Sapne. As a jovial cancer patient in Anand, Khanna made the role larger than life.

In 1973, his unmatched run was disrupted by Amitabh Bachchan in Zanjeer and Namak Haraam, marking the arrival of the "angry young man." Bachchan’s emergence overshadowed Khanna, particularly in Namak Haraam, where Amitabh’s portrayal of an industrialist took center stage.

In 1974, Khanna bounced back with memorable roles: a playboy prince in Prem Nagar, a fugitive in Roti, and a suspicious husband in Aap Ki Kasam. But from 1975, his career began to decline, especially with the rise of action-centric films like Sholay and Deewaar. His film Prem Kahani, where he played a freedom fighter entangled in love, flopped, as did Mehbooba. These failures marked the end of his golden run at the box office.

Perhaps ego kept him from joining multi-starrers like Dharamveer or Amar Akbar Anthony, though he did hold his own in ensemble films like Kudrat and Rajput. Just when it seemed his career was over, Khanna made a noteworthy comeback with Amardeep, portraying a reformed playboy, followed by Phir Wohi Raat, Thodi Si Bewafai, Ashanti, Red Rose, and Aaj Ka MLA Ram Avtar.

By 1985, his cinematic reign came to a close, although he still delivered fine performances in Zamana, Aakhir Kyon, and Swarg. Turning to politics, he joined the Congress in 1991. In a closely fought contest, he lost to BJP’s L.K. Advani by just 1,589 votes in the Delhi Lok Sabha constituency. In June 1992, he decisively defeated fellow actor Shatrughan Sinha by a margin of over 28,000 votes.

Assessment

Rajesh Khanna’s onscreen energy, charm, flamboyance, melodious expressiveness, and sensitivity had few equals in Bollywood. I believe he was a powerhouse of talent—perhaps even more so than Amitabh Bachchan—and on his day, could transcend realms of intensity, emotion, and expression rarely explored in Hindi cinema.

Yet, he eventually became a prisoner of his own mannerisms. After 1975, he failed to adapt his style to the changing cinematic landscape, relying too much on his established persona. He had bitter relationships with scriptwriters like Salim-Javed and was known to have friction with co-stars. In my view, Khanna was sometimes overly self-conscious as an actor, indulging in overacting, repeating familiar expressions, and not always fully inhabiting his characters. While more flamboyant and expressive than Amitabh, he lacked Bachchan’s discipline and ability to evolve with the times.

Though he played progressive, humanistic roles, he was also prone to relying on his smile and intuition to win audiences over. Whether Rajesh Khanna deserves to be counted among the truly great or consummate actors is complex. But in terms of raw talent, he was certainly among the very best.

Best Acting Performances of Rajesh Khanna

1. Anand (1971) – A deeply moving portrayal of a terminally ill man who faces death with infectious optimism and grace, celebrating life even in adversity.

2. Avishkaar (1974) – A masterclass in restraint and emotional depth, portraying an egoistic husband navigating the strains of modern marriage.

3. Amar Prem (1972) – In a heartrending tale of love and redemption, Khanna delivers a soul-stirring performance, especially in the film’s climactic scenes.

4. Safar (1970) – A subtle, layered performance of a man silently battling cancer while grappling with complex human emotions.

5. Avtaar (1983) – A powerful performance of a father abandoned by his sons, capturing dignity, rage, and resilience.

6. Amardeep (1979) – As a man confined to a wheelchair who rediscovers purpose, Khanna portrayed deep personal transformation with grace.

7. Bawarchi (1972) – In one of his most charming roles, Khanna plays a cook who helps mend a fractured family with love and simplicity.

8. Aradhana (1969) – Iconic dual roles that displayed romance, duty, and emotional range, cementing his superstardom.

9. Khamoshi (1969) – A deeply sensitive portrayal of a man with mental health struggles, filled with empathy and restraint.

10. Namak Haraam (1974) – A compelling transformation from an opportunist to a principled trade union leader, with powerful dialogues and emotional heft.

11. Do Raaste (1969) – As a dutiful son upholding family values, Khanna infused the role with warmth and sincerity.

12. Sachaa Jhutha (1970) – A brilliant double role blending comedy and drama, showcasing his versatility and impeccable timing.

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Freelance journalist