Being born in the 80s, I was exposed to the cinema of the 90s during my growing up days. Due to this, I wasn’t interested in watching movies of the 60s or 70s or listening to songs from that era. But a chance encounter with the song ‘Mere Sapno Ki Rani’ and few Rajesh Khanna films made me realize the beauty of that period. Thus, it won’t be wrong to state that it was largely due to Khanna that I started respecting the songs and movies of the yesteryears.
What amazed me was the ease with which the actor had an impressive effect on the audience, even while mouthing the simplest of lines. And talking about the songs he featured in, his special dancing technique made them extra-special. No wonder, he is considered the first superstar of Bollywood. Naturally, when an artist of that caliber leaves us forever, it saddens me to say the least, more so since he was the one who got me exposed to the Golden Era of Indian cinema.
Like all movie buffs, his death brings to memory the climax scene of his evergreen movie Anand. The very last line of the scene and the film acts as a fitting tribute to Kaka – Anand Mara Nahin. Anand Marte Nahin. Rest In Peace Rajesh Khananji!
Have a look at that scene: –
Rajesh Khanna was Hrishikesh Mukherjee’s ‘COMMON MAN’!! It seems, the initial choices for the role of Anand were Shashi Kapoor, Raj Kapoor & Kishore Kumar….However, Shashi ji & KK weren’t too keen to do the role it seems. Raj Kapoor did fit the role, but he himself, thought somebody younger would be a better choice.
Ultimately Kaka bagged the role, and the character of ANAND(HAPPINESS) became ETERNAL!!
Rightly said Pady. Thanks for the info.
u nd to improve ur angrezi, babu
Shashi kapoor has said in an interview how he was signed for anand, but when he went to shoot on the 1st day, he was told that rajesh khanna would be the hero. Hrishida wanted to cast kishore kumar for the title role & even went to his house, but due to a mistaken identity (kishore had fought with a bengali producer & instructed his watchman not to allow the bengali to come to his house. When hrishida came & told his name, the watchman mistook him for the bengali prodcuer & did not allow him into the house).
As for Raj kapoor doing the title role, hrishida could not bear to see his best friend die in the climax in the film & so decided not to cast raj kapoor.
One other interesting sidelight is that raj kapoor had promised to cast kaka as the hero in “satyam shivam sundaram” but then he came to kaka’s house & wept that his family members forced him to take shashi kapoor instead & apoligised to kaka. Kaka however took it in his stride & consoled raj.
Raj kapoor was very close to kaka. I have seen pictures of kaka touching the feet of raj when he had come to the funeral of kaka’s mother “chaiee ji” in aashirwaad.