14th Death Anniversary of Bollywood’s First Superstar Rajesh Khanna Observed in Delhi with Havan, Music and Charity
SUNIL NEGI
New Delhi: The 14th death anniversary of Rajesh Khanna — the original and first “Superstar” of Indian cinema and former MP from New Delhi — was commemorated with deep emotion and grandeur in the national capital on Saturday.
Like every year, hundreds of fans, admirers and volunteers gathered at “Rajesh Khanna The Treat” in the Diplomatic Enclave, Chanakyapuri, behind Jesus and Mary College, to pay tribute to the actor who ruled the hearts of millions from 1969 to the late 1970s. The venue, chosen by his devoted followers, turned into a celebration of music, memory and service. The entire credit for this unique event goes to Vipin Oberoi.
The day began with a Havan for the peace of the departed soul, followed by distribution of food packets and clothes to construction workers, residents of JJ clusters and people from lower middle-class families. The seva was led by Vipin Oberoi and his wife, who have been organizing the memorial every year.
Several prominent singers including Preeti Dev, Sanjay Nirvan, Bali and Anushka performed live, rendering Kaka’s super-duper hit songs originally sung by the legendary Kishore Kumar and picturized on Rajesh Khanna. From “Yeh Jo Mohabbat Hai” to “Zindagi Ek Safar Hai Suhana” and “Mere Sapno Ki Rani”, the melodies brought back an era when one man’s smile could make an entire nation swoon.
Those present at the Havan and distribution of food packets and garments to the poor included Uttarakhand’s former state minister Dhirendra Pratap, editor of Uknationews and senior journalist n President of Uttarakhand Journalists Forum Sunil Negi, Mr Malik along with Vipin Oberoi, his family, and close friends and well-wishers.
For the attendees, it was not just a remembrance but a re-living of the magic of a star who defined romance, style and stardom for an entire generation.
Born Jatin Khanna on 29 December 1942, Rajesh Khanna was crowned Bollywood’s first true superstar after the release of Aradhana in 1969. What followed was unprecedented. Between 1969 and 1975, he delivered 15 consecutive solo hit films — a record that still stands unbroken in Hindi cinema. From Do Raaste, Safar, Anand, Kati Patang, Haathi Mere Saathi to Amar Prem, Bawarchi and Avtaar he acted in about 195 films, and in most of them carried the film entirely on his shoulders as the sole hero.
His on-screen charm, unique dialogue delivery, and that famous head-tilt became a cultural phenomenon. Women wrote letters in blood, men copied his hairstyle, and his name became synonymous with box-office gold. He was also the first actor to charge a fee of Rs. 1 crore per film, setting a new benchmark for stardom.
Beyond cinema, Rajesh Khanna served as a Member of Parliament from New Delhi between 1992 and 1996, representing the Congress party. Even in politics, the “Kaka” wave followed him, with massive crowds turning up just to catch a glimpse.
In his career spanning over four decades, he won 3 Filmfare Awards for Best Actor for Anand, Avtaar and Amar Prem and received 14 Filmfare nominations — the highest for any male actor at the time. He was also honored with the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award in 2005 and the BFJA Award multiple times.
After his passing on 18 July 2012, the Government of India recognized his immense contribution to Indian cinema by conferring upon him the Padma Shri posthumously in 2013.
He was also given the CNN-IBN Lifetime Achievement Award and remains the only actor to have been called “Superstar” as an official title in India.
For his fans, Rajesh Khanna was never just an actor. He was an emotion. Even 14 years after his death, his songs play at weddings, his dialogues are quoted in homes, and his films are watched with the same devotion.
As the evening ended with “Pushpa I Hate Tears” and “Na Na Karte Pyaar Tumhi Se Kar Baithe” echoing through Chanakyapuri, one thing was clear – the first superstar may have left, but Kaka’s stardom continues to shine, untouched by time.
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