WHEN RAJESH KHANNA VISITED MOTI LAL NEHRU COLLEGE, in South Campus Delhi University !

The below memorable picture is of 1996 in an annual function with Rajesh Khanna at Moti Lal Nehru College , South Campus, Delhi University. Former MP and an authority in Hindi Ratnakar Pandey was the principal of Moti Lal Nehru college ( morning) then having rejoined after being on long leave for six years while he was Rajya, Sabha MP nominated by Congress party. I had been the president of this college students’ union in 1979-80 n central councillor as well. Later on I had contested the Delhi University Student Union’s election under the banner of Indian Student’s Congress for the post of president and also as Municipal Councillor in 1983 n 1984 as the joint candidate of United Progressive Front, a conglomerate of Democratic Socialist Party, Congress for Democracy, Sanjay Vichar Manch, CPI n CPM, the ticket given to me by then political stalwart and Democratic Party chief, former union minister H. N. Bahuguna from Sewa Nagar constituency. Alongside with me in the picture is senior noted criminal lawyer n the then socio political activist Ramesh Gupta. I was Kaka’s Media Advisor then. There are number of memories still fresh in my mind when Kaka was rubbing the streets of New Delhi Parliamentary constituency on foot while contesting. He was then just a commoner like any common man, easily accessible n to be seen conveniently to the electorates of New Delhi parliamentary constituency. The one time first and original Super Star of Bollywood Rajesh Khanna could be seen waving at his electorates standing in the balconies of their house or on roof tops curiously in large numbers. His padyatra or Jeep Yatra enticed hundreds of his fans and followers rushing towards him to have his glance or if possible shake hands with their on time glamourous super star, evening gardening him and sprinkling flowers and rose petals in him and his cavalcade. The curious women, girls and the youths in desperation thronged in large numbers in his every padyatra and public meetings. New Delhi parliamentary constituency therefore in 1991 and thereafter when he contested for the second time against BJP’s star candidate Shatrughan Sinha had become a star constituency with two bollywood stars fighting against each other trading charges and counter charges. However, Rajesh Khanna won from here defeating Shatrughan Sinha but the election will remain fresh in everyone’s mind, I believe. The media print and electronic, particularly the foreign electronic media always trailed KAKA who remained in the media on daily basis on the front n third pages of national dailies. The role of the star wives viz Poonam Sinha, former beauty queen and Dimple Kapadia Khanna, star actress in extensive campaigning for their respective star husbands is also worth mentioning. Kaka’s daughter and actress Twinkle Khanna was also the star attraction during this historic election, that sent BJP heavy weight Lal Krishna Advani to Gandhi Nagar giving up his New Delhi seat. It may be recalled that Kaka lost the first election in 1991 to BJP stalwart Lal Krishna Advani by merely 1500 votes but since the latter opted for his victorious Gandhi Nagar seat making space for superstar, Kaka contested for the second time against BJP’s Shatrughan Sinha and won by a handsome margin. Kaka had an outstandingly charming personality with fair, reddish face n delicate appearance as a flower but was strong as well as a perfect healthy man said his fans when asked about his being a handsome star. Kaka was too laborious and never gave up during his Padyatras and door to door campaigning under the scorching sun. I remember how he started his Padyatra on the main roads of Cannaught Place under the scorching heat at eleven o’ clock alongwith his supporters and high profile Congress leaders without any ifs and buts and continued till one o clock n thereafter during the evening hours in other localities of New Delhi. Several leaders backed out due to the scorching heat but Kaka would not relent and continued with his padyatra. A super star leading a high profile lavish life style in air conditioned rooms was then a common man with boils under his feet. Kaka never discussed films or film related talks while in politics though discussed them only casually. After winning as New Delhi MP seating Shatrughan Sinha Kaka was more like a politician than an outstanding actor believing in political matters n problems of his constituency. Very few people know that it was Kaka who compelled the then finance minister of India Dr. Manmohan Singh during PV Narsimha Rao’s tenure to enhance the income tax exemption limit to one lakh, making the government employees jubilant, winning their hearts. Kaka was then the MP from high profile New Delhi and his New Delhi constituency comprised of sixty percent of central government employees. I vividly remember a humorous Congress MP Subhash Nayak from Orissa Kalahaandi who used to visit Rajesh Khanna’s residence 81 Lodhi Estate would often narrate in Kaka’s presence how he was a die hard fan of first super star Rajesh Khanna who used to stand in queue in picture halls and watched his every movie sometimes even bunking classes and earning the wrath of teachers and parents, sometimes even borrowing money from friends to see his pictures. Perhaps few people know that Kaka got his entire interior of 81 Lodi Estate renovated and decorated with high quality tiles n marble stone getting personal sofas etc to give it a magnificent look on his own personal expenses knowing very well that he’ll have to vacate it after few years. One Mr. Mehta an architect in NDMC who was Kaka’s,friend assisted the superstar renovate his bunglow with his architectural skills. Mr. Pramod Mahajan, BJP MP n renowned leader had got it allotted after Kaka vacated it losing to then union minister Mr. Jag Mohan from New Delhi. Would also not miss an opportunity to mention how I accompanied Kaka to his historic interview in Aap ki Adalat to a Noida studio anchored n interviewed by a senior journalist Rajat Sharma on the completion of the 50 th episode of this popular show. Then this programmed was aired via Singapore and his cassette was specifically sent there to be telecast. I was one among the audience of this interesting episode telecast several times. Then Rajat Sharma was making this programme for Zee Television.