Rajesh Khanna was the “heartthrob of India”

Bollywood actor Rajesh Khanna, aka “KAKA” has passed away. He was ailing for quite some time and in the last month alone, was twice admitted to the Hospital. He passed away at home on Wednesday at the age of 69.

Family:

He is survived by his estranged wife and actress Dimple Kapadia and two daughters, Twinkle Khanna and Rinki Khanna, also a former actress.

Career:

Khanna began his career in the 1966 film, “Aakhri Khat” but his breakout role came three years later in the highly successful film, “Aradhana”, in which he played a dashing pilot. He made his name playing romantic leads in a string of films which were massive hits in the 1970s. He made his mark with roles in cult films like Anand (1971) and Amar Prem (1972). His shy smile won him legions of devoted admirers not only in India but also the world.

Khanna won three Filmfare Awards for Best Actor, and was honored with the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award in 2005. He worked in more than 160  films from which 73 films were golden jubilees. He will be always remembered for his remarkable work. In the 1990s he moved into politics, serving as a Member of Parliament in New Delhi until 1996.

Funeral: The funeral procession began from Aashirwad, the actor’s home. Thousands of fans braved the monsoon rain in Mumbai to pay homage as his body was driven through the city in a glass coffin wrapped in white flowers. Many celebrities joined in the funeral. Rajesh Khanna was adored by millions.

 Words said by bollywood celebrities:

Amitabh Bachchan posted on his blog that as he sat in his home that fateful afternoon to pay his respects, soon after learning of his passing away, a close aide of his came up to him and told him in a choked voice that his last words were – ‘time ho gaya hai [time is up]! Pack up!’

He said he became famous only because of “working with Rajesh Khanna in Anand.”

The actor Anupam Kher posted on his Twitter, “His songs made us forget our daily struggles of life.”

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh wrote in a condolence message to Khanna’s family, “He was called the first superstar of Indian cinema and his popularity as a romantic hero in the 1970s is a part of the Indian film folklore.”

Shabana Azmi said, “He was a SUPERSTAR like no other.”

Public:

Rajesh Khanna taught us how to smile. He was affectionately called “Kaka” by his fans and won a host of industry awards during his long career. He was very recently seen in his very first and unfortunately the last television commercial.

During the peak of his popularity, there were reports of his female fans marrying his photographs and writing him love letters in blood.

Fans of Indian cinema shared the sadness of Kaka’s death and his fond memories.