Rajesh Khanna was a legendary actor often referred to as the ‘First Superstar’ of Indian cinema. He played a pivotal role in shaping the landscape of Bollywood during the late 1960s and early 1970s. His charismatic presence, remarkable acting skills, and an impressive string of successful films earned him immense fame and a dedicated fan following. His female fans used to put sand in their maang, and even people worshipped the late actor like a god. It might surprise you to know that Rajesh Khanna had, on one particular occasion, asked his then-partner Anju Mahendroo to fall at his feet just like other female fans.
Anju Mahendroo made this startling revelation in Yasser Usman’s book titled ‘Rajesh Khanna: The Untold Story of India’s First Superstar,’ which was published in 2014. In one of the chapters, Anju revealed that Rajesh wanted her to fall to his feet, but she was not ready to do this. Anju said, “He wished for me to dote on him just as countless others did, constantly revering him. However, I cherished him differently. I couldn’t adopt an exaggerated admiration. For me, he was Jatin or Justin—someone I loved, not Rajesh Khanna, the Superstar, or the Phenomenon.”
Anju Mahendroo also disclosed that she made a conscious decision to prioritize Rajesh’s wishes over her own career aspirations, ultimately sacrificing her own professional career. She shared in the book, “As much as I could, I had submerged my individuality, my personality, and my identity into his—to make him happy. He wanted me to give up modelling at a time when I was paid very highly. I did.”
Rajesh Khanna and Anju reportedly engaged in a deep and committed relationship, residing together for a span of seven years. Later, the actor entered into matrimony with Dimple Kapadia in 1973. However, their marital journey encountered challenges, and they eventually separated in 1982, after Dimple left her acting career for him. For those unversed, Rajesh Khanna passed away on July 18, 2012, following an extended period of illness.
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