The legendary actor Rajesh Khanna passed away in 2012, but the last project he worked on was an advertisement for Havells Fans. In a recent interview, director R Balki, who directed the ad, shared the challenges Rajesh Khanna faced during the shoot.
In a conversation with Radio Nasha, R Balki recounted, “I don’t think anybody had as many fans as he did, and I don’t think anybody lost as many fans as he did.” He also recalled his first meeting with Rajesh Khanna at his bungalow, Aashirvaad. Balki clarified that the ad was essentially a playful take on Kaka’s superstardom. Upon hearing this, the actor said, “Balki, do you think I would have been such a big superstar if I didn’t have a sense of humour?”
Just three days before the shoot, the actor was hospitalized, and observing this, Balki contemplated postponing the shoot. However, the veteran actor insisted, saying, “Balki, I am coming.” In the span of three days, he made sure to arrange an air ambulance. The ad was shot in Bangalore, and Rajesh Khanna arrived on the set directly from the airport. Balki shared, “He went to his room, and he said, ‘Balki, I want to rehearse.’ When I went to his room, there was a guy holding the drip bottle, and another one holding the stand while he tried to dance in the room. I had tears in my eyes.” He continued, “He said, ‘Tomorrow morning, I am on.'”
On the day of the shoot, the actor removed all his drips and exclaimed, “Come on, action!” Rajesh Khanna gave two takes, and after that, he said, “Sorry, I would like one more take, but I can’t do it.” The director mentioned that the entire ad was filmed within an hour and a half, and immediately after wrapping up, the veteran actor left.
Balki further recalled that Rajesh Khanna didn’t get the chance to see the ad, saying, “I don’t think he saw the ad when it was finally done because he passed away very soon after that. I didn’t know he was so close to the end on that particular day, but he made sure to come and enjoy himself. It was a truly touching experience.”