The first Superstar
My very first movie starred Rajesh Khanna. The movie was ‘Hathi mere Sathi’ and I was more enamoured with the cute elephant than the movie itself. I must have been 3-4 years then and ‘chal chal chal mere sathi oh mere hathi…’ was on my lips for a long time, so I am told by my mother. In those days movie watching was a luxury for us middle class people and we did not watch many movies in the theatres, though Sunday movie on Doordarshan was a favourite pastime later on. As I grew older, Amitabh Bachchan had made his mark on celluloid as well as in the minds of the fans. But it was Rajesh Khanna who was the first Superstar. A very cherubic face, ideally suited for romantic roles. But he proved himself in a suspense thriller like ‘Ittefaq’. He was equally proficient in comic roles, watch ‘Bawarchi’. The way he endears himself to the eccentric family was a treat to watch. And what can one say about the movie ‘Aradhana’!. The greatest partnership, not between the Superstar and his heroine, but with his playback singer, the iconic Kishore Kumar. Evergreen and blockbuster songs, one following the other. Followed up by ‘Sacha Jhutha’ which was a big hit and then came ‘Kati Patang’. That partnership with Kishore again giving memorable songs, in this film the focus was more on Asha Parekh. If anyone had any doubts about his acting caliber, all doubts were overcome when ‘Anand’ came along. The songs were again a super hit but this movie belonged to Rajesh Khanna. A terminally ill person who lives life to the fullest, his easy camaraderie with Amitabh Bachchan was an endearing highlight of the movie. Equally memorable was his scenes with Johnny Walker, especially the dialogue, “hum sub rangmanch ki kathputhli hai jahanpanah aur hamari dor uparwale ki hath mein…”. And when he finally breathes his last, followed by ‘Babumoshai…”, the entire nation cried silent tears. Immediately followed up with ‘Amar Prem’ , another movie with extraordinary songs, “Chingari koi Bhadke…” and that eternal dialogue, “Pushpa, I hate tears…”. ‘Namak haram’ was the movie where The Angry Young man of Amitabh showed his first glimpse but the songs picturised on Rajesh Khanna backed by the powerful vocals of Kishore, stayed with you long after the movie was over. There are few more movies where Rajesh Khanna mesmerised the cine goers and he will always remain in our hearts.
Yatindra Tawde
My very first movie starred Rajesh Khanna. The movie was ‘Hathi mere Sathi’ and I was more enamoured with the cute elephant than the movie itself. I must have been 3-4 years then and ‘chal chal chal mere sathi oh mere hathi…’ was on my lips for a long time, so I am told by my mother. In those days movie watching was a luxury for us middle class people and we did not watch many movies in the theatres, though Sunday movie on Doordarshan was a favourite pastime later on. As I grew older, Amitabh Bachchan had made his mark on celluloid as well as in the minds of the fans. But it was Rajesh Khanna who was the first Superstar. A very cherubic face, ideally suited for romantic roles. But he proved himself in a suspense thriller like ‘Ittefaq’. He was equally proficient in comic roles, watch ‘Bawarchi’. The way he endears himself to the eccentric family was a treat to watch. And what can one say about the movie ‘Aradhana’!. The greatest partnership, not between the Superstar and his heroine, but with his playback singer, the iconic Kishore Kumar. Evergreen and blockbuster songs, one following the other. Followed up by ‘Sacha Jhutha’ which was a big hit and then came ‘Kati Patang’. That partnership with Kishore again giving memorable songs, in this film the focus was more on Asha Parekh. If anyone had any doubts about his acting caliber, all doubts were overcome when ‘Anand’ came along. The songs were again a super hit but this movie belonged to Rajesh Khanna. A terminally ill person who lives life to the fullest, his easy camaraderie with Amitabh Bachchan was an endearing highlight of the movie. Equally memorable was his scenes with Johnny Walker, especially the dialogue, “hum sub rangmanch ki kathputhli hai jahanpanah aur hamari dor uparwale ki hath mein…”. And when he finally breathes his last, followed by ‘Babumoshai…”, the entire nation cried silent tears. Immediately followed up with ‘Amar Prem’ , another movie with extraordinary songs, “Chingari koi Bhadke…” and that eternal dialogue, “Pushpa, I hate tears…”. ‘Namak haram’ was the movie where The Angry Young man of Amitabh showed his first glimpse but the songs picturised on Rajesh Khanna backed by the powerful vocals of Kishore, stayed with you long after the movie was over. There are few more movies where Rajesh Khanna mesmerised the cine goers and he will always remain in our hearts.
Yatindra Tawde
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