Rajesh Khanna, (b. 1942)

Originally Jatin Khanna. The first of the late 60s/early 70s Hindi superstars with a big impact on the industry, later equalled only by Bachchan. His late 60s roles were often lowbudget genre films (e.g. Yash Chopra’s thriller Ittefaq). Broke through in two popular love stories made and released simultaneously: Aradhana and Do Raaste, which shaped his film persona, later elaborated by Shakti Samanta. His image is traceable to Gulshan Nanda’s novelettes generated in the context of the industrialisation of 60s Hindi publishing pioneered by Mitra Prakashan’s best-selling journal, Manohar Kahaniyan, in Allahabad, and its numerous imitations aiming serials at less-educated readers. In the 70s, he often played a social orphan (Hathi Mere Saathi) deprived of maternal love and stricken by some existential malaise (Amar Prem) driving him to depravity (Dushman, Kati Patang) from which the heroine and foster-mother rescue him, usually by naming him as their protector. Often partnered by Sharmila Tagore or Mumtaz in his best-known films. His image of the innocent in a big bad world extended also to famous roles as a man who laughs to cover up some internal tragedy (Anand, Andaz). This approach influenced film-makers like Yash Chopra, but it was quickly overtaken in the mid-70s by Bachchan, making Khanna’s style an anachronism in the 80s. Stood for election as a Congress (I) candidate in Delhi, almost defeating the rightwing BJP leader, L.K. Advani. In a by-election he defeated the film star Shatrughan Sinha (who now represented the BJP) and became an MP.

FILMOGRAPHY: 1966: Aakhri Khat; 1967: Baharon Ke Sapne; Raaz; Aurat; 1969: Aradhana; Bandhan; Do Raaste; Doli; Ittefaq; Khamoshi; 1970: Aan Milo Sajna; Anand; Kati Patang; Sachcha Jhutha; Safar; The Train; 1971: Amar Prem; Andaz; Badnaam Farishte; Chhoti Bahu; Dushman; Hathi Mere Saathi; Maryada; Mehboob Ki Mehndi; 1972: Apna Desh; Anuraag; Bawarchi; Dil Daulat Duniya; Joru Ka Gulam; Malik; Mere Jeevan Saathi; Shehzada; 1973: Avishkar; Daag; Namak Haram; Raja Rani; 1974: Aaina; Aap Ki Kasam; Ajnabi; Humshakal; Prem Nagar; Roti; 1975: Akraman; Prem Kahani; 1976: Bandalbaaz; Maha Chor; Mehbooba; Tyaag; Ginny Aur Johnny; 1977: Anurodh; Chalta Purza; Chhaila Babu; Karm; Palkon Ki Chhaon Mein; Tinku; Aashiq Hoon Baharon Ka; 1978: Bhola Bhala; Prem Bandhan; Chakravyuha; Naukri; 1979: Amar Deep; Janata Havaldar; Muqabala; 1980: Bandish; Phir Wohi Raat; Red Rose; Thodisi Bewafayi; Aanchal; 1981: Dard; Dhanwan; Fifty-Fifty; Kudrat; Dil-e- Nadaan; 1982: Ashanti; Dharam Kanta; Rajput; Suraag; Jaanwar; 1983: Agar Tum Na Hote; Avatar; Nishan; Souten; Babu; 1984: Aaj Ka MLA Ramavatar; Asha Jyoti; Awaaz; Maqsad; Naya Kadam; Paapi Pet Ka Sawaal Hai; Durga; Hum Dono; Dharam Aur Kanoon; 1985: Alag Alag; Aakhir Kyon; Awara Baap; Bewafai; Insaaf Main Karoonga; Masterji; Oonche Log; Zamana; 1986: Adhikar; Amrit; Angarey; Anokha Rishta; Mohabbat Ki Kasam; Nasihat; Shatru; 1987: Gora; Awaam; Nazrana; Seetapur Ki Geeta; 1988: Vijay; Woh Phir Aayegi; 1989: Paap Ka Ant; Mamata Ki Chhaon Mein; Main Tera Dushman; Ghar Ka Chirag; 1990: Ghar Parivar; Swarg; 1991: Rupaye Dus Karod.

Actor