Rajesh Khanna was an Indian Hindi film actor. In a career spanning nearly four decades Rajesh appeared in 180 films (163 movies and 17 short films) and played the solo lead hero in 106 films has acted in only 22 two hero films – Checkout his biography, filmoraphy, awards and photos below.

Biography
Rajesh Khanna’s real name was Jatin Khanna. Born on December 29, 1942 in Amritsar, he was raised by his adopted parents, a childless couple, who were distantly related to his biological parents. His early childhood days were spent in Thakoredwar near Girgaum in Mumbai where he did his schooling at St Sebastian’s Goan High School. Interestingly, during his school days, he met and befriended Ravi Kapoor aka Jeetendra who also went on to become a huge star later on. The duo even went to the same college, Kishanshand Chellaram (KC College) in South Mumbai.

Rajesh was always interested in becoming an actor and actively took part in inter-college dramas and theatre festivals. As he began his struggle in Bollywood, one of his uncles suggested that he change his name from Jatin to Rajesh. The name change proved to be very fruitful for him.

In 1965, United Producers and Filmfare announced the All India Talent Contest. Rajesh Khanna was one of the eight finalists shortlisted from over 10,000 contestants and he was ultimately crowned the winner. The prize was a debut in two films, Aakhri Khat directed by Chetan Anand and Raaz directed by Ravindra Dave. The movies didn’t exactly set the box office on fire but he got noticed and biggies like Nasir Hussain and GP Sippy soon signed him on for their movies. His work in Baharon Ke Sapne, Aurat, Khamoshi and Ittefaq further boosted his standing in the industry.

Between the years 1969 and 1972, Rajesh Khanna achieved unprecedented success – a record 15 consecutive hits. In fact, his accomplishments set new benchmarks for superstardom in Bollywood. But his fall was as dramatic as his rise and this is what makes the story of this megastar so fascinating.

Marriage life

In the late 1960s and early 1970s, Khanna fell in love with the then fashion designer and actress Anju Mahendru. They were in the relationship for seven years. Mahendru states that the couple did not speak to each other for 17 years after the breakup. Later Khanna married Dimple Kapadia in March 1973, six months before Dimple’s debut film Bobby released and has two daughters from the marriage. Khanna and Dimple Kapadia separated in 1984 as his schedule kept him away much of the time and Dimple became interested in pursuing an acting career, and thereafter lived separately, but did not complete the divorce proceedings. In the eighties Tina Munim was romantically involved with Khanna till the time she decided to leave the industry to pursue her higher studies. Years of separation brought about mutual understanding between Rajesh Khanna and Dimple Kapadia. Reporter Dinesh Raheja stated that “the bitterness between Rajesh and Dimple washed away”, noting that they are seen together at parties and that Dimple campaigned for Khanna’s election and also worked in his film Jai Shiv Shankar. Their elder daughter Twinkle Khanna, an interior decorator and a former film actress, is married to actor Akshay Kumar while their younger daughter Rinke Khanna, also a former Hindi film actress, is married to a London-based investment banker Samir Saran.

Filmography
Khanna worked in about 160 films including. Here is his filmography:

1960s

  • 1966 “Akhri khat”
  • 1967 “Raaz”
  • 1967 “Baharo Ke sapne”
  • 1967 “Woman”
  • 1968 “Shrimanji”
  • 1969 “Khamoshi”
  • 1969 “Doli”
  • 1969 “Bandhan”
  • 1969 “Aradhana”
  • 1969 “Ittefaq”
  • 1969 “Do Raaste”

1970s

  • 1970 “Safar”
  • 1970 “Kati Patang”
  • 1970 “The Train’
  • 1970 “Sachaa Jhutha”
  • 1970 “Aan Milo Sajana”
  • 1971 “Mehboob Ki Mehandi”
  • 1971 “Maryada”
  • 1971 “Guddi”
  • 1971 “Dushman”
  • 1971 “Andaz”
  • 1971 “Anand”
  • 1971 “Haathi Mere Saathi”
  • 1971 “Choti Bahu”
  • 1972 “Shehzada”
  • 1972 “Mere Jeevan Saathi”
  • 1972 “Malik”
  • 1972 “Dil Daulat Duniya”
  • 1972 “Bawarchi”
  • 1972 “Apna Desh”
  • 1972 “Anuraag”
  • 1972 “Amar Prem”
  • 1972 “Joroo Ka Ghulam”
  • 1973 “Daag: A Poem of Love”
  • 1973 “Raja Rani”
  • 1973 “Bombay Superstar”
  • 1973 “Namak Haraam”
  • 1974 “Badhti Ka Naam Dadhi”
  • 1974 “Aap Ki Kasam”
  • 1974 “Prem Nagar”
  • 1974 “Ajanabee”
  • 1974 “Avishkaar”
  • 1974 “Roti”
  • 1975 “Prem Kahani”
  • 1975 “Aakraman”
  • 1976 “Maha Chor”
  • 1976 “Ginny Aur Johny”
  • 1976 “Bundal Baaz”
  • 1976 “Mehbooba”
  • 1977 “Tinku”
  • 1977 “Karm”
  • 1977 “Chalta Purza”
  • 1977 “Anurodh”
  • 1977 “Tyaag”
  • 1977 “Aaina”
  • 1977 “Chhailla Babu”
  • 1977 “Hatyara”
  • 1977 “Palkon Ki Chhaon Mein”
  • 1977 “Aashiq Hoon Baharon Ka”
  • 1978 “Chakravyuha”
  • 1978 “Bhola Bhala”
  • 1978 “Naukri”
  • 1979 “Muqabla”
  • 1979 “Janta Hawaldar”
  • 1979 “Bebus”
  • 1979 “Amar Deep”
  • 1979 “Prem Bandhan”

1980s

  • 1980 “Bandish”
  • 1980 “Red Rose”
  • 1980 “Phir Wohi Raat”
  • 1980 “Aanchal”
  • 1981 “Bharosa”
  • 1981 “Dushman Dost”
  • 1981 “Kudrat”
  • 1981 “Sundara Satarkar”
  • 1981 “Dhanwan”
  • 1981 “Dard”
  • 1981 “Fiffty Fiffty”
  • 1982 “Rajput”
  • 1982 “Ashanti”
  • 1982 “Dil-E-Nadaan”
  • 1982 “Dharam Kanta”
  • 1982 “Ayaash”
  • 1982 “Jaanwar”
  • 1983 “Avtaar”
  • 1983 “Souten”
  • 1983 “Agar Tum Na Hote”
  • 1984 “Asha Jyoti”
  • 1984 “Dharam Aur Qanoon”
  • 1984 “Awaaz”
  • 1985 “Zamana”
  • 1985 “Hum Dono”
  • 1985 “Masterji”
  • 1985 “Bewafai”
  • 1985 “Aakhir Kyon?”
  • 1985 “Alag Alag
  • 1985 “Babu”
  • 1985 “Awara Baap”
  • 1986 “Angaaray”
  • 1986 “Amrit”
  • 1986 “Anokha Rishta”
  • 1987 “Sitapur Ki Geeta”
  • 1987 “Nazrana”
  • 1988 “Vijay”
  • 1989 “Main Tera Dushman”
  • 1989 “Ghar Ka Chiraag”

1990s

  • 1990 “Jai Shiv Shankar”
  • 1990 “Dushman”
  • 1990 “Swarg”
  • 1991 “Ghar Parivaar”
  • 1991 “Begunaah”
  • 1994 “Khudai”
  • 1999 “Aa Ab Laut Chalen”

2000-2008

  • 2001 “Pyaar Zindagi Hai”
  • 2002 “Kyaa Dil Ne Kahaa”
  • 2008 “Wafaa”

As Producer:

  • 1985 “Alag Alag”
  • 1989 “Police Ke Peeche Police”
  • 1990 “Jai Shiv Shankar”

Awards

List of awards and nominations received by Rajesh Khanna

Filmfare Awards

Won

  • 1971 – Filmfare Award for Best Actor for Sachaa Jhutha
  • 1972 – Filmfare Best Actor Award for Anand
  • 1973 – Filmfare Special Guest Actor Award for Anuraag (1973 film)
  • 1975 – Filmfare Best Actor Award for Avishkaar
  • 1991 – Filmfare Special Award for completing 25 years in the Indian Film Industry as the main male lead hero with 101 films as the solo lead hero and starring in just 21 two hero films till 1991.
  • 2005 – Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award (Golden Jubilee function)

Nominated

  • 1970 – Filmfare Best Actor Award for Aradhana
  • 1970 – Filmfare Best Actor Award for Ittefaq
  • 1972 – Filmfare Best Actor Award for Kati Patang
  • 1973 – Filmfare Best Actor Award for Dushman (1971 film)
  • 1973 – Filmfare Best Actor Award for Amar Prem
  • 1974 – Filmfare Best Actor Award for Daag: A Poem of Love
  • 1975 – Filmfare Best Actor Award for Prem Nagar
  • 1980 – Filmfare Best Actor Award for Amardeep
  • 1981 – Filmfare Best Actor Award for Thodisi Bewafaii
  • 1982 – Filmfare Best Actor Award for Dard (1981 film)
  • 1984 – Filmfare Best Actor Award for Avtaar

Bengal Film Journalists’ Association Awards

Rajesh Khanna has been nominated for Bengal Film Journalists’ Association Awards Best Actor for the maximum number of times -

25 times (a record) and won 4 of them.

  • 1972 – Winner BFJA Awards, Best Actor for Anand
  • 1973 – Winner BFJA Awards, Best Actor for Bawarchi
  • 1974 – Winner BFJA Awards, Best Actor for Namak Haraam
  • 1987 – Winner BFJA Awards, Best Actor for Amrit (film)

Pride of the Film Industry Award

  • 2005 Rajesh Khanna was awarded the `Pride of Film Industry Award’

Dada Saheb Phalke Academy Award

  • 2008 Phalke Legendary Golden Actor Award at Mumbai on the occasion of Dada Saheb Phalke Birth day celebration.

IIFA Award

  • 2009 Lifetime Achievement Award for Super Star Rajesh Khanna in Macau, China

Tamil Cine World Award

  • 2009 All India Film Workers Association Life Time Achievement Award

International Pune Film Festival Award

2010 Life Time Achievement Award

Bollywood Awards

  • 2004 Lifetime of Glamour award at the Kingfisher Bollywood Fashion Awards
  • 2004 Lifetime Achievement Award at the Bollywood Awards held in US

Zee Cine Awards

  • 2001 Zee Cine Lifetime Achievement Award for Contribution to Indian Cinema

Sansui Film Awards

  • 2001 Lifetime Achievement Awards at the Third Sansui Film Awards held at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium

All India Critics Association Award

  • 1982 All-India Critics Association (AICA) Best Actor Award in 1982 at Calcutta for Kudrat
  • 1985 All-India Critics Association (AICA) Best Actor Award in 1985 at Calcutta for Aaj Ka M.L.A. Ram Avtar

Apsara Awards

  • 2012 Lifetime Achievement Award for Major Contribution to Indian Cinema by the Film and Television Producers Guild Association

Other Awards

  • 1982 – Winner Lions Club, New Delhi– Best Actor Award for Dard
  • 1994 – Winner Russian Film Festival, Ujvegistan- Best Actor for Khudai
  • 2003 Maharashtra State Government’s Raj Kapoor Awards presented on April 30, 2003
  • 2006 Yugantar Gaurav Puraskar 2006 awarded by Chandibai Himmatmal Mansukhani (CHM) College as part of the Gaurav Diwas celebrations on 4 February 2006
  • 2006 Award for Outstanding contribution to Indian cinema at the 2006 Bollywood Movie Awards held on June 10, at the Centre of Excellence, Macoya
  • Khanna was a recipient of the Glory of India Award by IIFS, London
  • Khanna was awarded Mother Teresa Award
  • Rajesh Khanna won Bharat Jyoti National Award

Kala Ratna Awards

  • 1995 – Winner Kala Ratna Award

In 1995 Rajesh Khanna was honoured with the Kala Ratna Award by Punjabi Kala Sangam at Delhi by the then Human Resource Development Minister Arjun Singh.

Photos

email