Rajesh Khanna Death Anniversary: His journey from being an Amritsar boy to Bollywood’s first superstar

Rajesh Khanna has been one of Bollywood’s most celebrated stars. From his larger than life character in ‘Anand’ to a hopeless romantic in ‘Amar Prem’, Rajesh Khanna has given his fans and a whole generation many moments to remember. Bollywood’s dashing heartthrob, who ruled the hearts of millions, regrettably breathed his last on July 18, 2012. Time passed by, but the memories of Khanna – someone who achieved the fame that no other film star had ever experienced before – still live. On his ninth death anniversary, here are some tales from the actor’s life that biographer Yasser Usman captures in his audiobook ‘Rajesh Khanna: The Untold Story of India’s First Superstar’.

“There was a long queue of women from nine to ninety outside the studio where we worked.”

In the audiobook, Sharmila Tagore, superstar Rajesh Khanna’s favourite co-star, mentions that women came out in droves to see him. She also highlights how they would stand in queues outside the studios to catch a glimpse of him, marry his photographs, pull at his clothes and what not. More than just a heartthrob, Khanna was an idol to them. She says “There was a long queue of women from nine to ninety outside the studio where we worked. The hysteria was unprecedented.” Sharmila also mentions, “He probably didn’t have the attributes that are normally associated with a hero, what he had was a disarming smile, youthful energy and an innate sense of drama and a well-modulated voice which he used to his fullest advantage.”