Twinkle and Rajesh khanna inaugurate Prithvi Soni exhibition

Rajesh Khanna who ruled bollywood for a substantial time has friendly looks, smiles which reach his eyes, unique way of dialogue delivery and endearing mannersims. Who can forget his evergreen movies which made one choke with tender emotions? Who can forget those unforgettable songs picturised on him in some of the most beautiful locales? And his heroines with whom he was so at ease?

Shakti Samantha’s Aradhana with Sharmila Tagore is easily one of the best films with the best songs which is evergreen and everlasting. The lusty Roop tera mastana and the misty Kora kagaz sa ye man mera stand out like two bright stars. Anand, where he rubbed shoulders with the mega star Bachchan, made us fall in love with cancer and the patient. Zindagi aisi to paheli, the waves, the carefree Rajesh Khanna. Oh, what a heart achingly lovely film by Hrishikesh Mukherjee?

Amar prem, again by Shakti Samantha, is one of the most beautiful tales told about a fallen woman’s love for the Devdas type hero. This devdas buried his sorrows in his smiles and large heartedness. He made the name Pushpa memorable for generations. In Kati Patang, he readily became second to the heroine Asha Parekh and grooved to Ye Jo Mohabbat like as only he can. In Joroo ka Ghulam, he showed his comic genius with petite Nanda and another comic legend Omprakash. In Daag, he managed two heroines with ease. Ittefaq and The Train showed his serious but controlled histrionics. Safar, where he paired again with Sharmila, is a tragic and serious movie with memorable performances by him and Feroz Khan. Prem Kahani is again a tragic story where he was punished for his supicions and where he punished himself. Andaaz had a small role for him with the pretty Hema Malini and he easily overshadowed the ageing hero Shammi kapoor. Yes, he had the best song with the best girl in that movie. Do Raaste, Khamoshi, Aan Milo Sajna are his other films made considerable impact. Haathi mere Saathi is Khanna with elephants more than with the heroine. His Thodisi bewafaii is a poignant film with Shabana Azmi playing the female lead. Khanna’s Souten and Red Rose with younger heroines made some mark. His later day Avtaar and Amrit are much more realistic than the later day Bhagbaan with somewhat similar story. And who can forget Bawarchi, the lovable cook?

His earlier films are far more memorable. No one can replace him. He gave us pure entertainment in his unique and inimitable style. He was so effortless in those films and he rarely portrayed the larger than life roles. He was and is a common man’s romantic hero who made disease, poverty and sorrows, romantic and desirable.