Rajesh Khanna turned into an overnight superstar after living in this Mumbai building

Time of India

22-05-2025

Rajendra Kumar's Purchase and Rise to Fame
Rajesh Khanna's Ownership and Legacy
During the 1960s, the area around Carter Road in Bandra, Mumbai, was far from the vibrant neighborhood it is today. It was mainly home to Parsis and Anglo-Indians, with a line of modest sea-facing houses. Among these was a bungalow in poor condition. According to journalist Ali Peter John, the house was so rundown that no one was willing to buy it, even at very low prices. This neglected bungalow eventually caught the attention of actor Rajendra Kumar, who was just beginning his journey in Hindi cinema.Eager to own a bungalow with a sea view, Rajendra Kumar was determined to buy the property despite lacking sufficient funds. As described in Seema Sonik Alimchand's biography Jubilee Kumar: The Life and Times of a Superstar, the bungalow was priced at Rs 65,000, but Rajendra Kumar could only manage Rs 10,000 upfront. He immediately wrote a cheque for Rs 10,000 to secure the deal but still needed Rs 55,000 to complete the payment.To raise the remaining amount, Rajendra Kumar turned to filmmaker B.R. Chopra, who had offered him roles in two films, Dhool Ka Phool and Kanoon. He requested an advance payment before committing to the projects. During negotiations, Rajendra Kumar asked for Rs 2 lakhs for both films, while the producers initially offered Rs 1.5 lakhs. After some discussion, B.R. Chopra agreed to pay Rs 1.75 lakhs, with Rs 50,000 given immediately. Rajendra Kumar used this advance to pay the full Rs 65,000 for the bungalow.Rajendra Kumar then renovated the bungalow and named it 'Dimple' after his newborn daughter. His career flourished, earning him the nickname 'Jubilee Kumar' due to the success of his films.Soon, Rajendra Kumar decided to sell the Carter Road bungalow. An emerging actor at the time, Rajesh Khanna, heard about the sale and bought the property hoping it would bring him good luck. Rajesh Khanna later became the first superstar of Indian cinema, marking an era of tremendous success.However, Khanna's career declined after Amitabh Bachchan entered the industry. Rajesh Khanna passed away in 2012 and the bungalow was sold for reportedly Rs 90 crore. There was also a legal dispute that arose after the death of Rajesh Khanna, specifically involving his alleged live-in partner, Anita Advani, and his family, including his wife Dimple Kapadia and son-in-law Akshay Kumar. The core issue was Advani's claim to a share in Rajesh Khanna's estate, including his palatial bungalow, and her allegations of being evicted from the property and facing domestic violence.Today, a high-rise stands in place of the iconic bungalow, marking the end of an era for the historic property that once witnessed the rise of two Bollywood legends.