Rajesh Khanna
Indian actor, film producer and politician (1942–2012)
Who was Rajesh Khanna?
Rajesh Khanna (pronounced [ɾɑːd͡ʒeːʃ kʰənnɑː] ; born Jatin Khanna; 29 December 1942 – 18 July 2012) was an Indian actor, film producer and politician who worked in Hindi films. The same year, romantic family drama Do Raaste opposite Mumtaz also released. Khanna saw his rise to superstardom in 1969 with romantic musical Aradhana starring Sharmila Tagore. The film went to become a massive blockbuster at the box office and made him an overnight sensation. These films turned Khanna into a Superstar and marked the beginning of Rajesh Khanna Mania of the early-1970s.
Historical significance
Regarded as one of the greatest and most successful actors in the history of Indian cinema, he is considered the first Superstar of Hindi cinema. His accolades include five Filmfare Awards, and in 2013, he was posthumously awarded the Padma Bhushan, India's third highest civilian honour. Khanna made his acting debut in 1966 with Aakhri Khat, which was India's first official Academy Awards entry in 1967.
