Bollywood’s first superstar, Rajesh Khanna He created a never-seen-before phenomenon in Indian cinema from the late 1960s all the way through to the early 1970s. With his lovely smile, romantic dialogue delivery, and brilliant roles, Rajesh Khanna gave a formidable hit chart that did wonders to make him a superstar. He is one of the top filmmakers even decades after he passed away who contributed to Hindi cinema.
This biography of Rajesh Khanna covers his early life, age, family, career, wife/girlfriend name, children’s names (son and daughter), hit movies list, achievements & awards, salary and income source, net worth 2022, death cause/ date (funeral) biodata, and interesting facts about him.
Rajesh Khanna Biography
| Details | Information |
| Full Name | Jatin Khanna |
| Popular Name | Rajesh Khanna |
| Profession | Actor, Film Producer, Politician |
| Nickname | Kaka |
| Date of Birth | 29 December 1942 |
| Birthplace | Amritsar, Punjab, British India |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Zodiac Sign | Capricorn |
| Religion | Hindu |
| Debut Film | Aakhri Khat (1966) |
| Active Years | 1966–2012 |
| Political Party | Indian National Congress |
| Date of Death | 18 July 2012 |
| Age at Death | 69 Years |
Rajesh Khanna Early Life
Rajesh Khanna, born Jatin Khanna[1] (29 December 1942 – 18 July 2012), was an Indian actor and film producer. Later, he was adopted by relatives and brought up in Mumbai. He saw himself as an actor from a young age and was involved in school and college theatre productions.
The actor pursued his education at K.C. College, Mumbai, where his passion for acting blossomed further. He got his big break after winning the All India Talent Contest, which was conducted by United Producers and Filmfare; this was to be a life-changing event for him as it launched him into Bollywood.
Rajesh Khanna Age
Rajesh Khanna was born on 29 December 1942. He died on 18 July 2012, aged 69, after a long illness.
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Rajesh Khanna Family
| Family Member | Name |
| Birth Name | Jatin Khanna |
| Wife | Dimple Kapadia |
| Daughter | Twinkle Khanna |
| Daughter | Rinke Khanna |
| Son-in-law | Akshay Kumar |
Rajesh Khanna married actress Dimple Kapadia in 1973. Although the couple later separated, they never officially divorced.
Rajesh Khanna Education
Rajesh Khanna completed his schooling in Mumbai before attending K.C. College. During his college years, he became actively involved in stage performances, which helped shape his acting skills.
Rajesh Khanna Physical Appearance
| Attribute | Details |
| Height | 5 feet 8 inches (173 cm) |
| Weight | Around 75 kg |
| Eye Colour | Dark Brown |
| Hair Colour | Black |
Rajesh Khanna Film Career
Rajesh Khanna was launched in Bollywood with Aakhri Khat (1966). His initial films were moderately successful, but he gained national recognition with Aradhana (1969).
He became the biggest movie star ever in India over a stretch from 1969 to 1972, with 15 solo hit films is regarded as a legendary record among veteran Bollywood stars. He was so popular that fans littered letters written with blood, kissed his car, and sometimes waited hours outside his home.
They vaulted him to the status of India’s first true superstar with his passionate expression, and already all-time evergreen songs were a vision for posterity.
Rajesh Khanna Best Movies
| Year | Movie |
| 1969 | Aradhana |
| 1969 | Do Raaste |
| 1970 | Safar |
| 1970 | Sachaa Jhutha |
| 1971 | Anand |
| 1971 | Kati Patang |
| 1971 | Haathi Mere Saathi |
| 1972 | Amar Prem |
| 1972 | Bawarchi |
| 1973 | Daag |
| 1983 | Avtaar |
| 1984 | Aaj Ka M.L.A. Ram Avtar |
Rajesh Khanna’s Record of Consecutive Hits
One of Rajesh Khanna’s greatest achievements was delivering an unprecedented run of blockbuster films.
| Record | Achievement |
| Consecutive Solo Hits | 15 |
| Peak Stardom | 1969-1972 |
| Nickname | First Superstar of Bollywood |
This remarkable achievement established him as one of the greatest actors in Indian cinema.
Rajesh Khanna Awards
Rajesh Khanna received numerous honors throughout his career.
| Award | Details |
| Filmfare Best Actor | Anand |
| Filmfare Best Actor | Avishkaar |
| BFJA Awards | Multiple Wins |
| Padma Bhushan | Awarded posthumously in 2013 |
| Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award | Honoured for his contribution to Indian cinema |
Rajesh Khanna Political Career
Rajesh Khanna also ventured into politics during the early 90s, besides films. He was with the Indian National Congress, and he was a Member of Parliament representing New Delhi from 1992 to 1996.
Rajesh Khanna Net Worth
However, estimates of Rajesh Khanna’s net worth at the time of his death differed considerably; it was reported to be around ₹400–600 crore (equivalent to ₹580–870 million or US$7.2–10.5 million in 2023). Of this value, some comes from Aashirwad, which he has never sold since purchasing it in 1976. The car collection includes a Mercedes-Benz E-Class sedan, an Audi Q7, and many other vehicles, with his film earnings and investments having been added as well. Estimates vary as there was no official announcement to the public.
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Rajesh Khanna Death
Rajesh Khanna died due to ill health on 18 July 2012 in Mumbai. The actor’s funeral saw an outpouring of public sentiment, with thousands of fans attending to pay their respects.
Rajesh Khanna Legacy
Rajesh Khanna transformed Bollywood forever. He was the first actor in India to command national mass mania before Potty stars became commonplace. His romantic roles, his inimitable songs, and his emotional performances still inspire generations of actors and filmmakers.
Several of his classics still capture audiences on television and streaming, thus ensuring the legacy lives on.
Interesting Facts About Rajesh Khanna
- Jonathan Khanna was his original name.
- His movie career started with an audience award in the United Producers Talent Contest.
- He was widely known as Kaka.
- I Rajesh Khanna outperformed his 15 solo hits in a row, which is unmatched.
- At the time of his highest fandom, he was quite well known for having letters written to him from fans in blood.
- At the age of 16, he married actress Dimple Kapadia.
- His daughter, Twinkle Khanna, a former actress and now a bestselling author.
- His son-in-law is Akshay Kumar, an actor.
- He had been an MP after his career in politics.
- For his huge contribution to Indian cinema, he was awarded the Padma Bhushan posthumously.
Conclusion
The story of Rajesh Khanna travelling from Jatin Khanna to Bollywood’s first superstar is one of the rags-to-riches tales ever in Indian cinema. His charisma is unprecedented, his performances are unforgettable, and no one comes close to accomplishing what he has achieved. Be it Anand, Aradhana, or Amar Prem, Rajesh Khanna is one of the most iconic legends in Indian cinema.
FAQs about Rajesh Khanna
1. Who was Rajesh Khanna?
Rajesh Khanna was an Indian actor, producer, and politician who is widely recognized as Bollywood’s first superstar.
2. What was Rajesh Khanna’s real name?
His birth name was Jatin Khanna.
3. Who was Rajesh Khanna’s wife?
Rajesh Khanna was married to actress Dimple Kapadia.
4. How many children did Rajesh Khanna have?
He had two daughters, Twinkle Khanna and Rinke Khanna.
5. Which is Rajesh Khanna’s most famous movie?
Some of his most famous films include Aradhana, Anand, Amar Prem, Kati Patang, and Haathi Mere Saathi.
6. When did Rajesh Khanna die?
Rajesh Khanna passed away on 18 July 2012 at the age of 69.
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