October 29, 2010 : Akshay Kumar has made a secret pledge to himself. As soon as the first copy of his retro-homage to the 1970s Action Replayy is complete the first person who will watch the film is his father-in-law Rajesh Khanna.
Arrangements have already been made for the special screening sometime next week. Akshay has clearly told his partner and director-friend Vipul Shah that no one should get to see Action Replayy before Rajesh Khanna.
Ever since Akshay Kumar could remember he has been the hugest fan of Rajesh Khanna. And now the reclusive Khanna has been coaxed out of his ivory tower to view his son-in-law’s latest film which pays a homage to the decade when Rajesh Khanna ruled.
Says Akshay Kumar, “As a kid I was the biggest Rajesh Khnana fan.Who wasn’t his fan in the 1970s?I remember queuing up for hours to watch Aradhana, Amar Prem, Kati Patang. These are among my favorite films of all times.”
Interestingly Akshay married his idol’s daughter in real life.
Marvels Akshay, “Look at what destiny had in store for me I married my idol’s daughter! I still can’t believe it.”
Convincing the reclusive Khanna wasn’t easy. Says Akshay, “But I was determined that he watches the film. The film is set in the era that belongs to my father-in-law. I am so proud of being part of the family now. Yes, Mr Khanna will be the first person to watch the film. I’m determined about that.”
–Sampurn wire
Rajesh Khanna – The Greatest Living Legend and the real & only Super Star of Indian Cinema till date.
There are romantic leading men and there are romantic leading men, but very few have taken cinematic love to legendary heights. While there might be other icons but Super-Star- Actor Rajesh Khanna after four decades, he is the ultimate true romantic legend
Super Star Rajesh Khanna – The Cary Grant of India.
Rajesh Khanna irrevocably impacted Indian cinema and culture like no actor before him. His acting perfection and application of talent were drawn solely from his inward vision. Khanna did not cultivate the phenomenal attributes that created his “superstardom” by reason or will, but through the connectedness to his own persona that the masses then idealized. For he is one who is impervious as to who is ahead and who is behind. Khanna’s inward vision, a special gift from the divine leads him always. Today he is the indomitable and highly respected veteran of one hindred and fifty films. For me, he is like the Cary Grant of India. Both actors are Capricorns that have played the widest variety of roles without ever bankrupting the fascination of the audience. Khanna is the platinum standard for landmark performances and sheer screen presence. Ever since the camera discovered his photogenia it has been having a love affair with it. His Byronic inspirations of romance as autographed elegantly on screen endure. Rajesh Khanna is a lovemark because he kindles our affections at the highest denominators and that is a life nobly lived means.