Rajesh Khanna Allowed His Stardom To Slip, People Began To Mock Him, Says Sharmila Tagore
Rajesh Khanna, India's first superstar, rose quickly but couldn't sustain fame. Sharmila Tagore revealed he failed to adapt to changing audiences.
Late actor Rajesh Khanna was regarded as one of India's first superstars. His charming personality, good looks and film choices in the early days of his career catapulted him to fame almost overnight. Khanna also enjoyed a robust fan following, especially from females. His hairstyle became a trend, and 'Kaka' became almost synonymous with sensation. Unfortunately, Rajesh Khanna's downfall was as swift as his success. Sharmila Tagore, his co-star in many films, revealed why the late superstar couldn't grasp his own success.
Sharmila Tagore wrote the foreword to Rajesh Khanna's biography, Dark Star The Loneliness of Being Rajesh Khanna, penned by Gautam Chintamani and published by Rupa Publications. In the prologue, she reflected on why her co-star couldn't hold on to his fame. She wrote in the book, 'Like his friendships, Kaka didn't nurture his stardom and allowed it to slip from his grasp. He failed to notice that the audience was changing, and that the roles he had been doing were becoming less and less relevant. Kaka either couldn't or didn't reinvent himself to remain contemporary; so much so that he became almost a caricature of himself, and people began to mock him."
Tagore also observed that Khanna was too generous with some of friends. He would splurge them with expensive gifts, even giving them flats. 'But, in return, he expected far too much which ended up putting a strain on the relationship," the Aradhana actor further penned.
The veteran actor, in all honesty, wrote about what she didn't like about everyone's beloved Kaka. 'But what affected me personally was his habit of coming late to work. I went to the studios at 8.00 a.m. and wanted to be back with my family by 8.00 p.m. But this was impossible, since Kaka never arrived before 12.00 noon for a 9.00 a.m. shift. And we could never finish on time. As a result, the entire unit would pressurize me to work overtime and complete the schedule. This became the norm, and since I had many films with Kaka, I found myself in a quandary," she wrote.
The Safar actor further penned, 'So, I opted to work with other actors more and more despite the fact that our pairing had been so successful. Probably even Kaka felt it was not such a good idea to have so many films with one actress—one runs the risk of becoming stale. Whatever it was, we found ourselves working together in less and less films. And I must confess, it was a huge relief."
Rajesh Khanna and Sharmila Tagore were one of Hindi cinema's most iconic on-screen pairs, delivering a string of memorable films in the late 1960s and 1970s. Their chemistry lit up classics like Aradhana (1969), Amar Prem (1972), Daag (1973), and Avishkaar (1974).
First Published:
July 14, 2025, 15:51 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.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
India.com
a few seconds ago
- India.com
Kriti Sanon rejected THESE 5 films which helped build career of other actresses, the films are....
Kriti Sanon rejected THESE 5 films which helped build career of other actresses, the films are.... Kriti Sanon is considered one of the most versatile actresses in the industry. For over a decade, the actress has been winning hearts with her captivating performances and incredible screen-presence. She started her acting career with Telugu movie 1: Nenokkadine , and stepped into Hindi film industry the same year with Heropanti , alongside Tiger Shroff. Over the years, Kriti has worked in several notable films like Mimi, Bareilly Ki Barfi, Dilwale, Crew and more. However, there were few projects she turned down, that went on to become hits. Below, we have curated a list of movies Sanon rejected. Take a look! Lust Stories Before Kiara Advani, Kriti Sanon was first offered to be a part of Netflix anthology, Lust Stories. In one of the episodes of Koffee With Karan Season 7, director-producer Karan Johar had opened up about the difficulties he faced while casting someone to play Kiara's role in film, 'I had offered it to Kriti Sanon and she said that her mom didn't allow her. I thought everybody's mom would stand in line, not allowing their daughters,' Johar said. While, Sanon refused the role, Advani accepted it and gave a memorable performance. Malang According to News 18, Director Mohit Suri's first choice was Kriti Sanon to play the lead role opposite Aditya Roy Kapoor in Malang . However, the actress had to turned down the offer as she was already committed to two other projects at the time (Panipat and Housefull 4). The portrayal of Sara Nambiar then went on to Disha Patani, leaving audiences impressed with her performance in Suri's action thriller.
News18
10 minutes ago
- News18
Young Composer Bags Big Break In Puri Jagannadh's Star-Studded Project
Last Updated: Telugu filmmaker Puri Jagannadh returns with a social drama starring Vijay Sethupathi and Tabu. Mahati Swara Sagar will compose the soundtrack. After facing a string of underwhelming releases, including Liger and Double iSmart, Telugu filmmaker Puri Jagannadh is back on set with a new social drama featuring Vijay Sethupathi and Tabu. In the latest update, Puri has enlisted Mahati Swara Sagar, son of celebrated music composer Mani Sharma, to helm the soundtrack for the film. The announcement has drawn mixed reactions, especially considering Mahati's absence from the limelight in recent years and the lukewarm reception of his last outing, Bholaa Shankar. However, Puri's longstanding association with Mahati's father may have played a role in the decision, suggests reports. The duo has previously collaborated on several iconic soundtracks, including the successful iSmart Shankar. Their strong creative rapport appears to have extended into a new generation, with Mahati already having completed two songs for the upcoming film. Reports suggest that he is now working on the background score, with the project expected to wrap filming in the next two months. Adding further intrigue to the film is Tabu's character, which insiders say is a negative role. Known for delivering intense and memorable performances in films such as Drishyam, De De Pyaar De, and Ninne Pelladata, the National Award-winning actress is expected to surprise audiences once again. Puri's new venture, which is being co-produced with Charmee on a modest budget, promises to carry the kind of sharp social commentary the filmmaker is known for, delivered with a satirical edge. Vijay Sethupathi, meanwhile, will be seen in a central, author-backed role designed to anchor the film's core message. More details about the yet-to-be-titled project are expected to be unveiled in the coming weeks. Puri Jagannadh made his directorial debut with Badri (2000), starring Pawan Kalyan. His 2006 blockbuster Pokiri premiered at the 7th IIFA Film Festival in Dubai and was later remade in multiple Indian languages, gaining him nationwide fame. Puri entered Bollywood with Shart: The Challenge (2004) and went on to direct Bbuddah… Hoga Terra Baap (2011) starring Amitabh Bachchan, which was archived by the Oscar library. He co-owns production houses including Puri Jagannadh Touring Talkies, Vaishno Academy, and Puri Connects with actress Charmme Kaur, and also runs his own music label, Puri Sangeet. Known for delivering box office hits, his notable films include Itlu Sravani Subramanyam, Idiot, Amma Nanna O Tamila Ammayi, Pokiri, Desamuduru, Businessman, Temper, and iSmart Shankar. First Published: 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.
News18
10 minutes ago
- News18
Ankush Bahuguna Brings Desi Cool To Tomorrowland In A Checkered Lungi And Tee
Last Updated: Ditching the usual music festival glam, Ankush Bahuguna rocked the desi lungi with a white t-shirt at Tomorrowland. At Tomorrowland 2025, amidst a sea of neon, glitter, and techno beats, Indian content creator Ankush Bahuguna made a striking style statement that was as rooted as it was radical. Trading in conventional festival wear for a reimagined version of the lungi, Ankush served a look that was equal parts nostalgic, global, and unapologetically personal. Taking to his Instagram, Ankush Bahuguna shared a few pictures from Tomorrowland. The social media personality was seen letting his hair down and enjoying himself at the music festival. Dressed in a lungi and a statement t-shirt, he brought India with him on the global stage. Sharing the pictures, he wrote, '@tomorrowland is a whole new world out there! Can't wait for Day 2 & 3 (if I still have feet by then)." Take a look at the pictures here. Standing tall against the industrial backdrop of the iconic festival stage, Ankush wore a crisp white oversized HUEMN T-shirt emblazoned with the words 'Wear your opinion on your sleeve." And he did exactly that, blending fashion with quiet activism, cultural storytelling, and sheer individuality. But it was the lower half that truly stole the show. Instead of shorts or cargo pants typical to festival fashion, Ankush wrapped a blue-and-teal checkered lungi around his waist, cinched and pleated to fall just below the knee. Styled with classic black socks and chunky white sneakers, the outfit radiated comfort while defying expectations. His accessories added depth: a bold silver chain, a red bracelet, and a few layered rings, and gave the look a curated edge. The visual contrast between his outfit and the mechanical architecture of Tomorrowland's stage setup created a powerful image: a desi boy grounded in his identity, boldly standing in one of the world's most celebrated multicultural spaces. What makes this look more than just 'cool" is its intent. Ankush didn't wear the lungi as a gimmick; he wore it as a statement of heritage. A reminder that fashion isn't always about newness, but about how you reinterpret the old. In a world obsessed with fast fashion and trends, this was a moment of rooted reinvention. Whether grooving to beats or pausing for a candid photo, Ankush's Tomorrowland look was proof that when you dress from a place of authenticity, you don't just wear fashion, you move it forward. view comments 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.
