Raju Shrestha, affectionately known as Master Raju, has unveiled more stories that paint a vivid picture of Rajesh Khanna’s legendary ego. This time, the anecdotes involve his son-in-law, the popular actor Akshay Kumar. According to Shrestha, even within the family, Khanna maintained a strict sense of hierarchy, underscoring his larger-than-life persona.
Khanna’s Reaction to Akshay Kumar’s Visit
In a recent conversation, Raju Shrestha recounted an incident that exemplifies Khanna’s unwavering attitude. When Akshay Kumar visited his father-in-law at home, Khanna reportedly refused to come downstairs to greet him. Shrestha told Siddharth Kannan, “I have heard another instance about him when Akshay Kumar went to his home to meet him, and Rajesh Khanna was sitting upstairs in some room, and somebody informed him that Akshay Kumar has come to meet him. His reaction was,
‘Main uska sasur hoon, woh aayega mere paas, main kyun jaoon (I am his father-in-law, he will come to me, why should I go?)’
” Akshay Kumar married Twinkle Khanna, the daughter of Rajesh Khanna and Dimple Kapadia, in 2001.
Professional Encounters: A Consistent Attitude
Raju Shrestha also shared his personal experiences with Khanna, highlighting a similar demeanor in professional settings. Despite having worked with Shrestha as a child artist, Khanna did not acknowledge him during their later collaborations. Shrestha recalled, “Rajesh Khanna worked in a serial, and I worked in the direction team of that show, so I would meet him regularly at his office. Still, he refused to recognise me. After a year of working with him, one day, he called me by my name.” This moment of recognition surprised Shrestha. “I was surprised that he knows my name, and when I asked the director about it, he confirmed that the veteran actor recognises me, and he also often talks about me and how he has worked with me when I was a child artist, but Rajesh Khanna never showed this to me.”
Shrestha attributed Khanna’s behavior to a belief system rooted in stardom and authority. “He had this attitude. I don’t know why, but he would think that why should I talk nicely to this person or why should I give him respect?”
On-Set Tantrums: A Star’s Prerogative
Khanna’s on-set behavior was no different. During the filming of Palkon Ki Chhaon Mein, his starry tantrums were evident. Raju Shrestha shared, “During the shooting of the film, Palkon Ki Chhaon Mein at China Creek, that area at that time was outside Bombay and there was a single dirt track that went to that area. All the actors, including Hema Malini, and myself would reach in the morning.” However, Khanna would only arrive if personally fetched by the producer. “Rajesh Khanna was the lead actor of the film, so the producer used to go to his house to fetch him up. We used to keep sitting and waiting for him.”
Shrestha added an intriguing detail about how the crew could predict Khanna’s arrival. “Also, we got to know whether Rajesh Khanna is coming to the set by the speed of the car. If the speed is high, that means that Rajesh Khanna is coming behind, and if the speed is slow that means Khanna is not coming today and the producer is bringing this bad news, and he’s going to declare pack up.”
Legacy of Stardom and Authority
These anecdotes illuminate the complex personality of Rajesh Khanna, a superstar whose ego was as legendary as his cinematic contributions. His behavior, both within his family and on professional sets, reflects a bygone era of Bollywood where stardom often dictated personal interactions and professional conduct.
As the film industry evolves, such stories serve as a reminder of the changing dynamics between actors and their colleagues. While Khanna’s legacy as a cinematic icon remains intact, these personal anecdotes offer a glimpse into the man behind the legend, highlighting the nuanced interplay of authority and stardom that defined his life.
