Biography of Rajesh Khanna

(December 29, 1942 -  July 18, 2012)

Rajesh Khanna was the first superstar of Hindi cinema. His real name was Jatin Khanna. He made his film debut in Chetan Anand's Aakhri Khat' in 1966. His earlier film did nothing for him till Aradhana' came along. Released in November 1969, Aradhana' made Rajesh Khanna a star. Khanna's mannerisms in the film caught the imagination of the audience. The film was supported by the melodious music by S.D. Burman. The same year, Raj Khosla's Do Raaste was released. It also went on to become a superhit.

Thereafter, till 1972, Rajesh Khanna delivered one hit after another. In films like 'Khamoshi', 'Safar' and Anand, he came up with sensitive performances. Anand' saw perhaps his greatest ever performance as a man stricken with cancer but willing to live life to the fullest before his death. Rajesh Khanna formed a brilliant combination with film director Shakti Samanta, music director R.D. Burman and singer Kishore Kumar. In 1990's, with his film career almost over, he entered politics and became an M.P.