Latest news with #RajeshKhanna
Indian Express
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
How furious Rajesh Khanna reacted as Sohail Khan wanted to buy his home Aashirwad, Salman Khan offered to work in his film for free: ‘Mujhe sadak pe lana chahta hai'
Rajesh Khanna was among the first superstars of Hindi cinema, but while the highs of Khanna's career were monumental, his lows were equally steep. Gautam Chintamani's biography Dark Star: The Loneliness of Being Rajesh Khanna mentions one such incident from the twilight of his career when the actor faced financial constraints. At that time, it was Salman Khan's younger brother Sohail Khan who expressed interest in buying Khanna's iconic bungalow, Aashirwad. As rumours and speculation about Rajesh Khanna's financial ruin began to circulate, talk also began about the possibility of the actor selling Aashirwad. 'For a better part of the early years of the first decade of the new millennium, troubled clouds had taken over almost every small pocket of sunshine in Khanna's life. His financial state went from bad to worse and there were murmurs that he was finally on the lookout to sell Aashirwad,' an excerpt from the book reads. The book also recounts how a notice from the income tax department — demanding unpaid dues of 'over a crore and a half rupees' — further damaged Khanna's public image and added credibility to the rumours. During this time, screenwriter Rumi Jaffery received a call from Salman Khan, expressing Sohail Khan's desire to purchase Aashirwad. To convince Rajesh Khanna to let go of the bungalow, the Khan family extended several lucrative offers. Along with offering to pay any amount for the property, Salman and his family also agreed to settle Khanna's outstanding income tax dues. On top of that, Salman even offered to act in a Rajesh Khanna production free of cost. Rumi Jaffery, acting as the messenger, took all these offers and approached Rajesh Khanna. However, the veteran actor's reaction was far from welcoming. The book recounts Khanna's response to Rumi's proposal. The screenwriter recalled in the book, 'When Khanna finally spoke, he asked him how he could even think of suggesting such a thing and accused him of stabbing him in his back. 'Kakaji said, 'I consider you a son-in-law aur tu mera ghar bikwana chahta hai… Sadak par lana chahta hai!' I had a tough time explaining that I was merely a postman delivering Sohail Khan's message.'' For Rajesh Khanna, Aashirwad was more than just a bungalow—it was a symbol of his superstardom and legacy. He believed it held emotional value not just for him, but also for his fans. The book mentions, 'He would often be quoted saying, 'A king is a king whether on throne or in exile.'' He considered Aashirwad his legacy. 'He even mused that he would die some day but Aashirwad would live on forever; and till such time, the world would never forget Rajesh Khanna,' the book notes. Years later, when Rajesh met Sohail Khan, he scolded him for trying to 'buy him out' through Jaffery. Rajesh Khanna continued living in Aashirwad alone, as he and his wife Dimple Kapadia were living separately. He breathed his last in 2011 in the beloved bungalow. Later, an industrialist bought the property and demolished it to make way for a high-rise building.
India.com
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- India.com
'Mera ghar bikwana…'; Rajesh Khanna once refused to sell his 'Aashirwad' bungalow to this actor, even during..., he is…
Bollywood's first superstar, Rajesh Khanna was popular for his films, controversial life, and his bungalow. You'd be surprised to note that Rajesh Khanna also went through a financial crisis. Yes, it is the same bungalow whose name was 'Aashirwad'. Originally, this bungalow was first bought by Bharat Bhushan, and he became a very big star by living in that bungalow. How did Rajesh Khanna end up buying the Aashirwad bungalow? In Rajesh Khanna's biography, 'Dark Star: The Loneliness of Being Rajesh Khanna', written by Gautam Chintamani, reveals how Bollywood's first superstar bought the magnificent Aashirwad bungalow. But even during his financial crisis, he refused to sell it. Initially, the property was owned by Rajendra Kumar. He then became a jubilee star of the film industry by living in it. His relative was Ramesh Bahl, and he was making a film named 'The Train' with Rajesh Khanna. Interesting story behind Rajesh Khanna's property One day, Rajesh Khanna was going from Carter Road. When he saw the crowd in front of the bungalow, he asked why there was such a crowd. On this, his driver said that this is Rajendra Kumar's bungalow. That's it, from that day onwards, that bungalow settled in Kakaji's mind. Rajesh Khanna asked Ramesh Bahl to get this bungalow for him somehow. On this, Ramesh Bahl told Rajendra Kumar that there is a lot of noise of vehicles here. People keep coming and going. There is no such thing as privacy; pollution is also very high. There is another bungalow behind this. It is quite big and very peaceful too. In this way, Ramesh Bahl convinced Rajendra Kumar, and then Rajendra Kumar sold that bungalow. Rajesh Khanna took this bungalow from him. Rajesh Khanna named this bungalow Aashirwad. When Rajesh Khanna faced a financial crisis After the sale of this bungalow, Rajendra Kumar's stardom started fading and Rajesh Khanna's started increasing. Seeing this, Rajendra Kumar also felt that along with the bungalow, his luck also went to Rajesh Khanna. Well, it was in 1999, 2000, and 2001 that Mr Khanna faced financial trouble. He got a notice of one crore, one and a quarter crore rupees from Income Tax. When Salman Khan was interested in buying Rajesh Khanna's property Meanwhile, one day Rajesh Khanna got a call from Salman Khan. He asked Rumi Jaffery that he had an important work with Rajesh Khanna. Salman Khan requested Rumi to help him purchase Rajesh Khanna's property. It was Sohail Khan who was interested in buying Rajesh Khanna's property. Sohail heard that Rajesh Khanna was selling his bungalow, and he was interested in buying it. Whatever price Rajesh Khanna quoted, Sohail Khan was ready to purchase it. Sohail assured that there will be no negotiation from his side. When Rajesh Khanna came to know about Sohail Khan's plan on buying Aashirwad Rumi further revealed, 'When Khanna finally spoke, he asked him how he could even think of suggesting such a thing and accused him of stabbing him in his back. 'Kakaji said, 'I consider you a son-in-law aur tu mera ghar bikwana chahta hai… Sadak par lana chahta hai!' I had a tough time explaining that I was merely a postman delivering Sohail Khan's message.'
News18
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- News18
'Mera Ghar Bikwana…': When Rajesh Khanna, In Debt, Refused To Sell His Aashirwad Bungalow To Sohail Khan
Rajesh Khanna faced financial ruin and rumours had it that he was considering to sell his Carter Road bungalow, Aashirwad. Sohail Khan offered to buy it, but Khanna refused. Rajesh Khanna, regarded as one of India's first superstars, saw success like no one. From his stupendous stretch of 17 superhit films, robust fan following and wealth, there was a time when Rajesh Khanna had it all. Unfortunately, his descent was swifter than his ascent. And there came a time in life when the Aradhana actor fell into a massive debt. Talks began that the superstar was planning to sell off one of his most prized possessions – his Carter Road bungalow, Aashirwad. And guess who made an offer to buy it? Salman Khan's younger brother, Sohail Khan. In Rajesh Khanna's biography, Dark Star The Loneliness of Being Rajesh Khanna, penned by Gautam Chintamani and published by Rupa Publications, an excerpt about his financial status back then read: 'For a better part of the early years of the first decade of the new millennium, troubled clouds had taken over almost every small pocket of sunshine in Khanna's life. His financial state went from bad to worse and there were murmurs that he was finally on the lookout to sell Aashirwad. Like most rumours emanating from the world of Hindi cinema, no one knew how real the reports about his house being up for grabs were, but people believed them because Khanna looked troubled. The news that the income tax department had slapped a notice for arrears of over a crore and a half rupees on him finally made it all too true." That's when screenwriter Rumi Jaffery remembered that Salman Khan was one of the firsts to call him and say that Sohail Khan was interested in buying Aashirwad. Sohail assured that Khanna could name any price he wished, and not only would the Khans pay it, but they'd also settle the pending IT dues. On top of that, Salman even offered to act in a film for Rajesh Khanna's production house completely free of charge. The Khans roped in Jaffery to help facilitate the deal, and he believed it was the perfect solution for everyone involved. Jaffery couldn't contain his excitement and told Khanna about the offer the Khans made, instead, he was greeted by 'stoic silence". 'When Khanna finally spoke, he asked him how he could even think of suggesting such a thing and accused him of stabbing him in his back. 'Kakaji said, 'I consider you a son-in-law aur tu mera ghar bikwana chahta hai… Sadak par lana chahta hai!" I had a tough time explaining that I was merely a postman delivering Sohail Khan's message,' Jaffery says," read a part of the book. 'He even mused that he would die some day but Aashirwad would live on forever; and till such time, the world would never forget Rajesh Khanna," read another line. It was in the same house that Khanna lived until the end of his time, alone. 'He would often be quoted saying, 'A king is a king whether on throne or in exile,' and in that context believed that Aashirwad wasn't anything less than his legacy that would outlast his lifetime. Jaffery was never allowed to forget the incident as long as Khanna was alive, and he recalls that even Sohail Khan—who bumped into the actor a few years later and introduced himself as Salim Khan's youngest son—was castigated by Khanna for sending Jaffery to buy him out," read another excerpt. Filmmaker Johny Bakshi once said that remembers the day he saw a solemn Rajesh Khanna looking at the waves of the Arabian Sea hitting the edge of the road across his home. 'That day's newspapers carried an IT department notice regarding an auction of Aashirwad and Khanna was all but broken. Bakshi knew Vinay Kumar Sinha, a former IT officer who later joined Abdul Gaffar Nadiadwala's production house and went on to produce Andaz Apna Apna (1994). He asked Khanna if he wanted him to seek some advice on the matter. 'He just nodded his head and said, 'Gal kar…'", he said. Who were the past owners of Rajesh Khanna's 'haunted house'? Carter Road, where Aashirwad was located, was largely home to Parsi and Anglo-Indian families. They sold off the house to Rajendra Kumar, who named the bungalow after his daughter, Dimple. The house was infamous for granting beginners luck, only to rob them of it later. In fact, Rajendra Kumar's career grew after he moved into the house, and he got the nickname 'Jubilee Kumar.' Soon after, he faced a string of flops. The house then went to Rajesh Khanna, who bought for it Rs 3.5 lakh, and changed its name from 'Dimple' to 'Aashirwad.' However, Khanna, too, met the same fate as Kumar. His stardom began to fade and the-then superstar faced insurmountable financial losses. However, he refused to sell it and lived there until his passing in 2012. An industrialist bought Rajesh Khanna's Aashirwad in 2014 and had it demolished two years later – along with it, a golden era of history was buried beneath a pile of debris. First Published: July 21, 2025, 17:55 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
India.com
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- India.com
This actor once called Rajesh Khanna an average actor, claimed that Amitabh Bachchan never did any great films, his name is...
There are many senior actors in Bollywood who are considered examples for all the newcomers out there. These actors are some of the finest stars in the industry and are also called veterans. Similarly, an actor who is now regarded as a veteran star once took a jibe at Rajesh Khanna and Amitabh Bachchan. He called Rajesh an 'average star' and claimed that Amitabh Bachchan never did good movies. Yes, you read that right! Scroll down to know the name of this actor. Actor Who Criticised Amitabh Bachchan and Rajesh Khanna This actor started his career in 1973 with Shyam Benegal's film Nishant, in which Shabana Azmi played the lead role alongside him. If you are wondering who we are talking about, this actor is none other than Naseeruddin Shah. After his debut, Naseeruddin Shah went on to do many movies, including Jaane Bhi Do Yaaron, Masoom, Aakrosh, Ijaazat, Ardh Satya, Sarfarosh, Ishqiya, and A Wednesday. All these films left a lasting impact on audiences. Whether it was the role of a sensitive father in Masoom, a terrorist poet in Sarfarosh, a photographer in Jaane Bhi Do Yaaron, or a common man in A Wednesday, Naseeruddin brought life to every role. Be it action, romance, drama, or comedy, he left his mark in every genre. Naseeruddin Shah Criticised Amitabh Bachchan and Rajesh Khanna In an interview in 2010, he questioned Amitabh Bachchan's filmography and said that Amitabh had not done any great film. He also described the classic Sholay as just entertaining, not great. Similarly, in 2016, he termed Rajesh Khanna an 'average actor' and said that the 70s was an average era of Hindi cinema, and despite Rajesh Khanna's success, his acting ability was limited. However, after criticism from Rajesh Khanna's daughter, Twinkle Khanna, he apologized for this comment.
India.com
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- India.com
This actor gave 17 back-to-back hits, Kishore Kumar was his voice in most of the films, name was…, not Amitabh Bachchan, Dilip Kumar, Dev Anand, Vinod Khanna
Home Entertainment This actor gave 17 back-to-back hits, Kishore Kumar was his voice in most of the films, name was…, not Amitabh Bachchan, Dilip Kumar, Dev Anand, Vinod Khanna This actor gave 17 back-to-back hits, Kishore Kumar was his voice in most of the films, name was…, not Amitabh Bachchan, Dilip Kumar, Dev Anand, Vinod Khanna Even decades after his stardom, no one has come close to breaking Kaka's golden streak at the box office. From Dilip Kumar to Amitabh Bachchan, Bollywood has seen many legends. But he was the first to be called a superstar. When the actor appeared on screen, audiences were spellbound. His delivery of lines like 'Babu Moshai, zindagi aur maut upar wale ke haath mein hai' from Anand still echoes through cinema history. People didn't just watch him, they felt him. Yes, we are talking about Rajesh Khanna! His presence was electric. His dialogue delivery, full of rhythm and emotion, created a unique connection with viewers. Fans called him Kaka, with love, and rightly so. Rajesh Khanna's 17 consecutive hit films He delivered 17 consecutive hit films, a record that no actor has touched to this day. At a time when stardom depended only on talent and public love, Kaka stood tall without the crutches of aggressive PR. And it wasn't just him. His films featured the timeless voice of Kishore Kumar, perfectly complementing Rajesh Khanna's romantic aura. Songs from Amar Prem, Kati Patang, and Mere Jeevan Saathi still rule retro playlists. Who was the man behind the star? Born on 29 December 1942 in Amritsar, Rajesh Khanna rose to unmatched heights but also saw career lows. Yet, he never gave up. He married actress Dimple Kapadia when she was just 16 and a fan. While their relationship faced rough patches, he remained in the public eye, acting, producing under RK Films, and later entering politics as a Congress MP. Those who knew him during his political career remember him as yaaron ka yaar, always ready to help, never saying no. Why is 'Anand' still considered his masterpiece? In Anand (1971), he portrayed a man living joyfully despite a terminal illness. That role didn't just touch hearts, it immortalised him. Rajesh Khanna passed away on 18 July 2012 after a long illness. But even in absence, his work continues to inspire. His charm, his smile, his head-tilt, they remain iconic, making Kaka an eternal star of Indian cinema. For breaking news and live news updates, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter and Instagram. Read more on Latest Entertainment News on
