Recently I read somewhere that Rajesh Khanna was/is poor man's Dev Anand. I think it was more of a magic of Kishor Kumar's voice than Rajesh Khanna himself which created the romantic image. The songs are timeless and faceless. Even now it can stir a heart or two when you hear those songs, without evoking any memory of the person it was filmed on. Having said that, Rajesh Khanna did bring that relief to cinemas, not over dramatic though deadpan most of the times and hugely wrong on his mouch and belt in later years. But even then, 'mere dil main aaj kya hai' became a hit song.

Rajesh Khanna was a far bigger star and better actor than Dev Anand ever was. As for Kishore Kumar, the fact is as great a singer he was, it was Rajesh Khanna that shot him to the top. Before Rajesh Khanna, Kishore Kumar was relegated to only Navketan films and as a third or fourth choice for playback singer. Ofcourse it is also true that Kishore Kumar's singing helped Rajesh Khanna attain the heights that he did.

KK, RD, Anand Bakshi did wonder to R Khana's career with their memorable tunes!

Feather in the cap was his co star Sharmila and Director Shakti Samantha. Who believed in the actor and tried to pull him away from his comfort typified roles.

Rajesh Khana was not an actor like Sanjev Kumar, nor as versatile as Amitabh Bachan, but had his good times! being darling of the masses.

Director Gulzar tried to make an actor out of Jeetendra with very limited success. Some how he never worked with Rajesh!

Rajesh Khanna can be classifies ad a Super Star but not a Super Actor like Amitab or Dev Anand.
How come Amitab is still a sought after star and where is Rajesh Khanna today..

And he's now doing soft porn like Wafaa......... obviously a true legend.......

Rajesh Khanna's acting skills compared to Amitabh maybe debatable, but you must be kidding to even compare Dev Anand's acting skills, or maybe even the lack of any, to Rajesh Khanna.


How did Amitabh and/or his popularity become a part of this discussion. Rajesh Khanna's superstardom is mutually exclusive from that of Amitabh Bachchan. Having said that, although it's a fact that Amitabh is definately far ahead in terms of longevity of career, but there are many reasons for that other than just 'talent' or popularity. Bottom line is, that Rajesh Khanna burnt his bridges while he was at the top, while Amitabh nurtured deep relations with those who mattered in the industry. Ironically some of these are people who Rajesh Khanna helped to the top. Of course the role played by today's media in over hyping the popularity of Amitabh and the rest of the Bachchalan clan, should not be overlooked. Makes one wonder what would have happened if this media had been around during Rajesh Khanna's hey days. Specially considering that Amitabh himself is quoted to having said that Rajesh Khanna's popularity at his peak was far greater than his own.

Even 'legends' can fall. Obviously you are totally oblivious to some of the utter crap that Amitabh has featured in over the years.

Firstly, I hadn't mentioned AB at all so far - I wasn't comparing him to anyone.

Secondly, how is it so obvious to you from the one line I typed that I'm oblivious? I'm not at all oblivious to the crap AB has done. I went to the cinema to watch Mrityudaata, and having seen almost all of his films, I know how much crap he has made. I agree that Rajesh Khanna was a superstar in his time, and I like a lot of his older films, with Khamoshi being a personal favourite. But in my opinion, in the 80s, he did films like Alag Alag where he was trying to regain his youth, and nowadays, he is doing embarrassing C-grade films like Wafaa (and there was another one advertised a few years back with Nigar Khan, the name of which I can't recall). My hope was rekindled somewhat when he played his age in Aa Ab Laut Chalen, and I would like to see him in more decent roles, but he appears to be interested in only working in sleazy films nowadays.

Where did u watch that? Piccadilly?

I was not trying to bring amitab into the discussion.
Some of Rajesh's most popupular movies
Haathi Meri Saathi-Based mostly on the Elephants
Aradhana-Sharmila's role was the life of the movie
Aap Ki Kasam-Mumtaz had the bigger role
And here comes the Shocker-Rajesh Khanna refused the role in Mukti because the heroine was married-was a run a way hit.
Do Raaste-What was his role other than window dressing.

No actor is an island. Even charismatic actors have seen failures. For me, an impactful perosna is one whose absence will create an irreplacable void. I was terribly saddened by the demise of Amrish Puri, for it indicated that he will no longer bring a new character to life again. Rajesh Khanna will always be remebered for his romantic image, but he cannot be compared to Cary Grant. Cary Grant carried the entire movie as a one man show. Even now you pick any of his movies and you will be all smiles, the movie will not feel dated. Whereas Rajesh Khanna's movies are taken forward by his leading lady, music and story. I loved to watch Rajesh Khanna in Aakhir Kyoun, and looked forward to more such warm heart filling roles. His intensity in Khamoshi, his pain in Safar, or the 'Anand' - all irreplacable. But these were not the romantic roles either. The point is, he is much more than a simple romantic hero but viewers got distracted by a host of completely avoidable roles that he picked up and that he refused to age gracefully.

Yep, in the good old days when cinema tickets were extortionate - £8 each I think!!

Lmao Bhaskar! I remember them days, weekends at Piccadilly

Now, no one asks about Piccadilly