Latest news with #JubileeKumar:TheLifeandTimesofaSuperstar
Time of India
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Rajesh Khanna turned into an overnight superstar after living in this Mumbai building
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 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 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 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 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 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 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.
Time of India
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
How Rajesh Khanna's Carter Road bungalow became the heart of Bollywood's golden era
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 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 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 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 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 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 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.
Time of India
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Bollywood's 'haunted' home: Rajesh Khanna's iconic bungalow was abandoned by every star who lived there. Was it cursed?
Located on the once quiet Carter Road in Bandra, Mumbai, a sea-facing bungalow came to be known over the years not just for its grandeur, but for the supposed curse attached to it. Known famously as 'Aashirwad', this house witnessed the rise and fall of some of Bollywood's most celebrated stars. Before it became a landmark, the property was reportedly in a dilapidated state and considered haunted. Journalist Ali Peter John recalls that in the 1960s, the bungalow was avoided by most due to these eerie rumors. Despite the stigma, actor Rajendra Kumar showed keen interest in the property when it went on sale for Rs 65,000. In Jubilee Kumar: The Life and Times of a Superstar by Seema Sonik Alimchand, Rajendra Kumar recounted how he could initially only afford Rs 10,000. He turned to producer B.R. Chopra, with whom he was discussing payments for upcoming films Dhool Ka Phool and Kanoon. Eventually, Chopra agreed to pay Kumar Rs 1.75 lakh, part of which Kumar used to finalize the bungalow deal. Dimple to Aashirwad: Changing Hands Rajendra Kumar renovated the bungalow and named it 'Dimple' after his daughter. Ignoring the haunting tales, he moved in after performing a puja. The actor's career flourished soon after, earning him the title 'Jubilee Kumar'. However, by the late 1960s, his films began to fail, and he decided to sell the house. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Join new Free to Play WWII MMO War Thunder War Thunder Play Now Undo The buyer was none other than Rajesh Khanna, a rising star at the time. As per Alimchand's book, Kumar advised Khanna to rename the bungalow. Respecting his wishes, Rajesh Khanna called it 'Aashirwad'. According to Gautam Chintamani's Dark Star: The Loneliness of Being Rajesh Khanna, the actor embraced the grandeur of the house, transforming it into a symbol of his superstardom. Fans gathered in thousands outside its gates, while industry insiders waited long hours for a meeting with the actor. The Curse Strikes Again However, the narrative around Aashirwad soon darkened. Reports from Financial Express and other sources pointed out that Khanna wasn't the first to face setbacks after moving in. Bharat Bhushan, a 1950s star known for his performances in Baiju Bawra and Mirza Ghalib, was the original celebrity owner. After moving in, Bhushan faced a string of flops and financial troubles, which ultimately forced him to sell the house. Rajendra Kumar, too, faced a downward spiral in his career after settling in the bungalow. Then came Rajesh Khanna, who enjoyed immense fame in the 1970s, with hits like Anand, Haathi Mere Saathi, and Kati Patang. But as Amitabh Bachchan's popularity surged, Khanna's stardom began to fade. His separation from Dimple Kapadia and his reclusive lifestyle in Aashirwad further reinforced the property's cursed image. Ali Peter John noted that Khanna later spent most of his time at his Linking Road office and only returned to the bungalow to sleep. Rajesh Khanna passed away in 2012, marking the end of Aashirwad's association with Bollywood royalty. In 2014, industrialist Shashi Kiran Shetty bought the property for Rs 90 crore, a dramatic rise from the Rs 3.5 lakh that Khanna had paid decades earlier. Despite its original valuation being around Rs 225 crore, its infamous legacy perhaps played a role in its reduced selling price. The house has since been demolished, and a new structure stands in its place.
Time of India
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Once said to be haunted, this 'cursed' Mumbai building made Rajesh Khanna into an overnight superstar, was sold for Rs 90 cr
What was once deemed to be one of the most haunted houses of Mumbai became a good luck charm for India's first superstar, Rajesh Khanna . In the 1960s, the scenic Carter Road in Bandra bore little resemblance to its glamorous present-day avatar. It was a sleepy, serene neighborhood populated mainly by Anglo-Indians and Parsis. Nestled among its coastal homes stood a battered, decaying bungalow that no one wanted—rumored to be haunted and untouched even by the desperate. A Ghost Story and a Dreamer's Eye Journalist Ali Peter John remembers the property as an abandoned structure—its crumbling walls scaring off potential buyers, despite being sold at a price almost too good to be true. It was this very home that caught the attention of a young and hopeful Rajendra Kumar, who had just started making a name for himself in Bollywood. Though his bank balance didn't support such a purchase, he was enchanted by the idea of owning a sea-facing home. According to Seema Sonik Alimchand's biography 'Jubilee Kumar: The Life and Times of a Superstar' the property was up for grabs for Rs 65,000—a modest price even for the time. Rajendra, however, had only Rs 10,000 on hand. Eager not to lose the opportunity, he immediately wrote out a cheque for that amount and handed it over to the broker. Now short by Rs 55,000, he turned to someone he trusted—filmmaker B.R. Chopra. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 15 Most Beautiful Female Athletes in the World Click Here Undo A Bold Ask and a Generous Reply Rajendra had recently been cast in two Chopra productions, Dhool Ka Phool and Kanoon, though negotiations for his fee had yet to be finalized. He approached Chopra with honesty and urgency, explaining that he needed an advance to complete the home purchase. In the book, he recalls: 'Shastri, the Chopra production manager, had offered me Rs 1.5 lakh for both films. I was asking Rs 2 lakhs, which was in line with what others were paying me.' Chopra, known for his generosity, settled on a compromise. 'He agreed to pay me Rs 1.75 lakh in total, provided Rs 50,000 was given to me upfront,' Rajendra remembered. The filmmaker handed over the money on the spot, allowing the actor to pay the remaining Rs 55,000 and claim his dream home. Tales of Spirits and Superstition Despite the rumors surrounding the bungalow, Rajendra wasn't one to believe everything he heard. The broker casually dismissed the ghost stories, suggesting they were a tactic by the current tenant to delay eviction. 'The man hasn't paid rent in months. He's spreading stories to scare away potential buyers,' the broker remarked. Still, Rajendra sought advice from his friend, actor Manoj Kumar. Manoj advised him not to let superstition dictate his decisions and suggested a housewarming puja, just to be safe. Rajendra restored the bungalow and named it 'Dimple' after his newborn daughter. His career soon skyrocketed, earning him the nickname 'Jubilee Kumar' for his string of box-office hits. A Home of Destiny Passes On As fate would have it, a young aspiring actor named Rajesh Khanna was also dreaming of stardom around the same time. Hearing that Rajendra Kumar wanted to sell the Carter Road house, Rajesh decided to buy it, hoping the good fortune associated with the home would follow him too. He purchased the bungalow for Rs 3.5 lakh, but Rajendra had one condition—he could not keep the name 'Dimple'. 'That name belongs to my daughter. We've named our new bungalow after her too. But you have my blessings,' Rajendra told him. Rajesh renamed the home 'Aashirwad'—a blessing that lived up to its name. A Legacy Carved in Stone and Stardom Rajesh Khanna's life transformed after moving into Aashirwad. He became India's first true film superstar, drawing hordes of fans outside his sea-facing sanctuary. As Gautam Chintamani wrote in Dark Star: The Loneliness of Being Rajesh Khanna, 'Once he moved into Aashirwad, the illusion of royalty was complete.' Following his passing in 2012, the house was sold for Rs 90 crore to businessman Shashi Kiran Shetty. Today, a towering structure stands where the haunted bungalow once did—its spectral past buried beneath the legacy of two legends.
Indian Express
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Rumoured to be haunted, Rajesh Khanna's ‘cursed' sea-facing bungalow Aashirwad was purchased for just Rs 3.5 lakh; it was sold for Rs 90 crore
In the 1960s, Carter Road in Bandra, Mumbai, wasn't the hotspot that it is now. It housed mostly Parsis and Anglo-Indians. Among the row of houses at the seafront was a bungalow rumoured to be haunted. According to journalist Ali Peter John, the house was in a dilapidated state, and nobody was willing to buy it, even at dirt cheap prices. The existence of the house was brought to the attention of actor Rajendra Kumar, who was then just starting out in Hindi films. Excited by the opportunity to live in a bungalow with a view of the sea, he was determined to purchase it, even though he didn't have the money to. According to Seema Sonik Alimchand's book Jubilee Kumar: The Life and Times of a Superstar, the house was put on sale for Rs 65,000. But Rajendra Kumar could only spare Rs 10,000. He said, 'I immediately signed a cheque for Rs 10,000 and sent it to the broker. Now I had to pay fifty-five thousand more, which I didn't have in my account. So I went to Mr BR Chopra, who, a few days earlier, had offered me two films — Dhool ka Phool and Kanoon. While I had accepted both, we had yet to come to an agreement over the payment for each film.' Also read – Javed Akhtar bought 4,000 sq ft bungalow on Bandra Bandstand for Rs 5 lakh in 1970s, reveals Sahir Ludhianvi was paid in prime real estate by BR Chopra Rajendra Kumar told the kindhearted BR Chopra that he would do both films, but would need to be paid in advance. They reached an agreement. He said, according to the book, 'The consolidated fee they were offering for both films was not acceptable to me. So CVK Shastri, the Chopras's production controller, and I were still wrangling over it when this beautiful bungalow came into the picture. I told Chopra Saab, 'Shastriji and I have reached an impasse regarding my fee. So could we please finalize the amount?' Chopra Saab asked, 'How much has Shastri offered you?' Rs 1,50,000 for both films,' I told him. 'And I hove asked for Rs 2 lakhs, as I am charging other producers more than a lakh per movie.' He said, 'All right, I will pay you Rs 1,75,000 for both.' I agreed immediately, but laid down the condition that he should pay me Rs 50,000 then and there. And the magnanimous B.R. Chopra immediately handed me the money. I paid Rs 55,000 to the owner of the bungalow on Carter Road that I had set my eyes on.' But the matter of the haunting remained. According to Alimchand's book, the broker Rajendra Kumar met with dismissed the rumours. 'Apparently, this gentleman hasn't paid the rent for months, and now that the landlord has given him an ultimatum he's probably spreading rumours to drive off prospective buyers and tenants. Otherwise, why would he continue to live in a haunted house?' he told the actor. According to Ali Peter John, Rajendra Kumar consulted actor Manoj Kumar, and told him about the rumours. Manoj Kumar advised Rajendra not to pay heed to them, and to perform a puja if necessary. Rajendra renovated the place and gave it the name Dimple, after his newborn daughter. His career took off, and soon, he earned the moniker 'Jubilee Kumar'. He was able to buy another bungalow, which he named Dimple as well. It was around this time that another young actor was taking his first steps in the industry; his name was Rajesh Khanna. He heard that Rajendra Kumar was looking to sell his Carter Road bungalow, and decided to purchase it, hoping that some of the star's good fortune would rub off on him. According to Peter John, Rajesh bought the bungalow for Rs 3.5 lakh, but because he wasn't allowed to keep the name 'Dimple', he named it 'Aashirwad'. 'You must change the name. Dimple is my daughter's name. We had named the Carter Road bungalow after her and we have now named our new home 'Dimple' too. But you have my blessings for your new home. May it bring you immense luck and prosperity,' Alimchand's book quoted Rajendra Kumar as saying. Rajesh's fortunes indeed changed. He became the first 'superstar' of Hindi cinema, and hordes of fans would throng the streets outside Aashirwad. According tot he book Dark Star: The Loneliness of Being Rajesh Khanna by Gautam Chintamani, once Rajesh moved into Aashirwad, 'the facade of being a king was complete.' 'Khanna made tens of producers wait endlessly outside the fabled durbar, granting audience only once they had done time. He would emerge in his famous silk lungi-kurta and take his position at a chair that was conspicuously placed a little higher than the others to differentiate between the king and his subjects. Only a select had access to the inner sanctum, and many a times, those waiting outside would tell the ones who passed by to put in a good word… Inside, copious amounts of whisky would flow endlessly through the night and those present would sing praises of King Kaka… Those who didn't agree with him or presented a somewhat contrarian point of view even for the sake of argument, were often shown the door. The manner in which Khanna supposedly banished people from his court was nothing less than high theatrics; he would weigh the words that didn't meet his approval and proclaim, 'Aapko humara durbar chhodna padega'. However, Rajesh's career famously sank after the arrival of Amitabh Bachchan. According to Peter John, 'Finally, this one-time haunted house started haunting him and he spent most of his time in his office on Linking Road, going home only to sleep in a tiny bedroom in a corner.' Rajesh Khanna died in 2012. Following his death, Aashirwad was sold for Rs 90 crore to Shashi Kiran Shetty, founder and chairman of AllCargo Logistics. A highrise stands on the land today.
