Remembering Rajesh Khanna on his birth anniversary: A look at his iconic movies

Rajesh Khanna was referred to as the first superstar of Indian cinema. In his career spanning over 25 years, he has several blockbusters to his credit and he infused life in the characters on screen with his brilliant performances. He was also a film producer and politician.
Rajesh Khanna starred in 15 consecutive solos hit films in the period 1969 to 1971, which is still an unbreakable record. He received the Filmfare Best Actor Award three times, and was posthumously awarded India's third highest civilian honour Padma Bhushan.

On April 30, 2013, he was officially bestowed with the title The First Superstar of Indian cinema at Dadasaheb Phalke Academy Awards.

On Rajesh Khanna’s birth anniversary, let’s take a look at some of his iconic films.

Amar Prem (1972)
Cast: Rajesh Khanna, Sharmila Tagore, Sujit Kumar
Director: Shakti Samanta

The award-winning musical drama shows how Pushpa is abandoned by her husband. She then goes home, but she is disowned by her mother and sold to a brothel in Kolkata by her uncle.

Anand (1971)
Cast: Rajesh Khanna, Amitabh Bachchan, Sumita Sanyal, Ramesh Deo and Seema Deo
Director: Hrishikesh Mukherjee

The film narrated the story of Anand, a terminally ill man, who sets out to live his last days to the fullest. His doctor, Bhaskar, decides to write a book on Anand seeing his optimism. It won several awards, including the Filmfare Award for Best Film in 1972.

Kati Patang (1971)
Cast: Rajesh Khanna, Asha Parekh, Prem Chopra
Director: Shakti Samanta

On the day of her marriage, Madhavi runs away from her home to be with her lover. Her life takes an unexpected turn when her friend Poonam dies in an accident and requests Madhavi to assume her identity and take her baby.

Haathi Mere Saathi (1971)
Cast: Rajesh Khanna and Tanuja
Director: M. A. Thirumugam

Raju is very attached to his four elephants as they saved his life. However, his wife tells him that he must choose between the animals and his family as she fears for her child.

Aradhana (1969)
Cast: Sharmila Tagore, Rajesh Khanna and Sujit Kumar
Director: Shakti Samanta

The romantic drama revolves around two lovers, Arun and Vandana, who secretly elope. However, Arun dies in an air crash and no one accepts their marriage due to which Vandana is forced to give up her child for adoption.

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