When Legendary Superstar Rajesh Khanna called “Goldie”, from Vikaspuri to his Sarvapriya Vihar house !

There are number of incidents relating to legendary super star Rajesh Khanna aka Kaka while he stayed in Delhi at his Sarvapriya Vihar residence. He stayed here after losing from New Delhi to veteran bureaucrat turned politician, former union minister housing Jagmohan. Kaka had been back to Mumbai shifting his entire luggage as well from his well renovated Bungalow, 81Lodhi estate where lived stalwarts like former union minister n ex CM UP H. N. Bahuguna earlier and Pramod Mahajan later on. When Kaka contested the New Delhi parliamentary election as the Congress candidate he was presented with a brand new white gypsy,1732, perhaps by the proprietor of The Lalit hotel Lalit Suri, as a token of his reverence to his famous superstar whom he too adored too much. His elder brother Sagar Suri of Delhi Automobiles was the family friend of eminent Bollywood legendary star Dilip Kumar Sahib.

Kaka possessed that gypsy till his death. In Delhi he used to travel by it and park it inside his Sarvapriya house periphery ( compound) being very possesive about it. It was sort of his prized possession and considered it lucky.

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This white gypsy was used in Kaka’s both the election campaigns carrying Kaka n his supporters including several top celebrities n politicians and his family members Dimple, Twinkle and Rinki Khanna during his election campaign leading to the superstar’s victory and therefore considered lucky.

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He used to use it on emergency situations when there was non availability of car while in Delhi. Kaka always had luxurious car to travel in Delhi provided by his well wishers, fans and Naresh Juneja, his brother like friend always at his disposal whenever Rajesh Khanna was in Delhi.

While the owner of the eatery “The Treat”, also known as Rajesh Khanna Food Van of delicacies Vipin Oberoi took care of his lunch n dinners and Juneja about Kaka’s comforts, political contacts and finances usually in Delhi, as a mark of their affection for Kaka, their renowned superstar.

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When Kaka came to Delhi after being alloted the Congress ticket to contest from New Delhi parliamentary constituency by former PM Rajiv Gandhi to contest against the BJP heavy weight Lal Krishna Advani, Kaka was arranged a flat in front of Sangam Cinema top class housing society owned by renowned beautician Vandana Luthra of Curls and Curves where the super star stayed and from where he started for his political campaigns every morning. However, his very first central campaign office was 15 Canning Lane, followed by several offices at Lodi Estate Bungalow of the then Maharashtra MP Mr. Bhonsle, thereafter at North Avenue and at former CM Haryana, then MP Bhupinder Singh Hooda’s Willingdon Crescent office. Several MP’s n minister’s were eager to give their offices ( Bungalows) to Kaka, such was their love for their superstar turned Congress politician.

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The R. K Puram well furnished society flat opposite Sangam Cinema was arranged by by Naresh Juneja only who next time gave Kaka his Vasant Kunj Druplex House to stay in, when he contested second time against his counterpart Shatrughan Sinha, after losing to L. K. Advani, till he was finally allotted the official bungalow 81 Lodhi Estate, as a, special case, actually meant for union ministers, not a first time MP as was Kaka.

After Kaka lost to Jagmohan and he shifted to Sarvapriya Vihar on rent accomodation a comparatively small house, whenever in Delhi during evenings, almost every alternative day, Vipin Oberoi, the owner of the Treat Food Van in Chanakyapuri, used to send meals, non veg preparations like seek kabab, sometimes barra meat , rice n rumaly rotis to the superstar, who considered him as his brother.

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Kaka usually visited “The Treat”, in the late evenings and would deliberately stay their for an hour or two to ensure that customers make a beeline at his Food Van, to enhance Vipin Oberoi’s income, by encouraging customers, majority of them Kaka’s fan, buying his delicacies.

This was how he used to repay his genuine followers, especially affectionate Vipin Oberoi. While during the nav ratra season Kaka used to eat the vegetarian “vrat khana” ( FAST FOOD) also supplied from Vipin’s house through Chetan Gaur aka (Goldie).

Goldie was in close proximity to Kaka for several years and was sort of his Man Friday or trouble shooter in helping him in household chores, even sometimes bringing or arranging liquor for him.

Once Kaka want to go somewhere in Delhi in his open Gypsy ( vehicle) which was was out of order. Perhaps its battery was non functional. Kaka called Chetan Gaur aka Goldie on phone and asked him to come to Sarvapriya Vihar immediately. Since Goldie was in his cousin’s house in Vikaspuri, in a marriage function he expressed his inability. But Kaka was adamant. He however, angrily or diplomatically managed Goldie agree.

Chetan Gaur can’t refuse finally. He asked his cousin (who was to be married just two days after) to accompany him to Kaka’s Sarvapriya house. Both of them hired an auto and reached Kakaji’s house said Goldie. Kaka was desperately waiting for them. Chetan Gaur ( Goldie) checked the gypsy and found that its battery has gone. Worried Kaka asked Goldie to arrange a machanic immediately.

When Goldie contacted his mechanic friend at Sarojini Nagar requesting him to come, the machanic asked him to come to Sarojini Nagar and arange for a new battery to be replaced by the defunct older one. Goldie told Kakaji, that he is going to Sarojini Nagar to fetch the machanic and the battery and till then my cousin will stay with you. It was a sort of an assurance to him that since his nephew is with Kaka he won’t go anywhere but come after doing the needful. Kaka said no problem. Chetan Gaur came after an hour with the machanic and the new battery.

Till then his cousin was with Kaka , trembling not knowing what to talk with Kakaji, a legendary super star he had been watching on silver screen all these years now sitting on his side in a sofa. He was though extremely jubilant sitting in a company of a first superstar n ex MP but shivering internally, having cold feet in peak summers out of inferiority complex, despite Kaka trying to interact with him.

The machanic too on seeing Kaka was shocked whom he had never ever thought of watching and conversing from so close quarters. He touched Kaka’s feet and was so happy to be near him that after fitting the battery, he refused to take the money. Kaka however gave him Rs.1000, thanked and blessed him asking Chetan to have the round of Malviya Nagar to check whether the gypsy is functioning properly or not. His cousin, who though was feeling immensely privileged in Kaka’s company but also feeling cold feet, heaved an immense sigh of relief after Goldie returned back and asked Kakaji to bless his cousin, a great fan of his.

Goldie also revealed to Rajesh Khanna that his nephew is going to marry in just two days and it was from his pre wedding ceremony arrangements that I rushed due to your ( Kaka’s) call, with him. Surprised Kaka patted, congratulated him and asked Goldie to take a picture with him so that he can keep it as a memory of my blessings.

Kaka after blessing Goldie’s cousin for a happy marriage, also promised to attend his marriage n bless the couple. He also asked him to take the Gypsy for a test ride to Vikaspuri after seeing off the machanic to Sarojini Nagar and thereafter his cousin.

Goldie did the needful and came back with the Gypsy in the evening, having his full day engagement, at the first superstar’s service. After three days, Kaka had gone in the gypsy to inaugurate an opening of a Shop in Pitampura of one of his acquaintances said Goldie and perhaps this was the reason, why, he was so desperate to get the vehicle rectified and ready.

Kaka was very fond of bettle (paan) after consuming dinner and used to go to India Gate regularly whenever in Delhi after dinner to have the taste of ice creams as well. He used to be there (india gate) for hours together at late nights, enjoying the mesmerising colourful lightening, enjoying families n crowds and soothing atmosphere.

Living alone in a lavish Bungalow in Ashirvad and then at Sarvapriya Vihar Delhi Kaka used to probably go to India Gate after dinner to enjoy the hustle and bustle of the Lutyen’s Zone.

( to continue with a new anecdote)