Widely celebrated as Hindi cinema’s first true superstar, Rajesh Khanna redefined fame in the late 1960s and early 1970s. His popularity was so extraordinary that the word “superstar” became almost synonymous with his identity. But the story behind how he came to be known by that title has an interesting backstory, recently revisited in a resurfaced video featuring publicity agent Tarak Nath Gandhi.Recalling the strategy, Gandhi shared, “After every news, when we sent the lot to him along with Rajesh Khanna, we wrote ‘superstar Rajesh Khanna’. That troubled the journalists a lot. He said, ‘Why should we write superstar Rajesh Khanna?’ He had to understand. Sometimes you would talk to me with love, sometimes you would talk about Samjha, sometimes you would take me out for dinner, sometimes you would give me presents…”
He further explained, “Ek cheez jab baar baar established hoti hai, baar baar jab kaha jaata hai, toh woh woh baat sahi nikalti hai.”The clip, which has resurfaced on Reddit, sparked a wave of reactions from users, many of whom acknowledged that while the title may have been promoted, Khanna’s work ultimately justified it.One person wrote, “Dude, he had a huge stardom irrespective.” Another comment read, “And they made sure he had the title that he deserved.” Someone added, “Exactly, Rajesh Khanna gave 17 back-to-back blockbusters within the span of two years; he deserved the title of superstar.” Someone else wrote, “Of course they curate their image, but it’s far-fetched to think that’s the only reason he got that tag. Delivered crazy success to back it up.“Khanna’s journey began after he won the United Producers Talent Contest in 1965, which paved his way into films. However, it was 1969 that truly transformed his career. The release of Aradhana, opposite Sharmila Tagore, catapulted him to overnight stardom. Songs like Mere Sapno Ki Rani and Roop Tera Mastana became timeless classics.What followed was a historic run of success. Between 1969 and 1971, Khanna delivered an unmatched streak of 17 consecutive hits. Films such as Do Raaste, Kati Patang, Safar, Anand, Amar Prem, and Haathi Mere Saathi cemented his dominance at the box office.His fan following reached a level rarely seen before or since. Stories of admirers writing him letters in blood, kissing his car, and leaving lipstick marks became part of Bollywood folklore. Public appearances often turned chaotic, with massive crowds gathering just to catch a glimpse of “Kaka,” as he was fondly called. At film premieres, fans would throw coins, scream uncontrollably, and wait for hours to see him.Even as generations of stars followed, Rajesh Khanna’s peak remains unmatched in terms of sheer hysteria and the deep emotional bond he shared with his audience.
