Rajesh Khanna. Usually Anand. Kabhi Kabhi Gum. Made blockbusters out of living life for others. Became the First Superstar and encouraged the Next Superstar big time. Shows his large-heartedness at the time. Gave Musical mileage to Kishore Kumar, RD Burman and lyricists. His taste for music was so great that his solo songs with melancholic touch are still playing at cocktail parties and get-togeth...ers with karoake mikes. His band of music goes magically well with nostalgia and single-malt whiskey parties. Without an iota of remix temptations - so much for his blend of music. Rajesh Khanna. Anybody with such a rich timber-sounding filmy name ought to have a whole generation of fresh graduates, housewives and self-employed abide by his name. And so it was with many in my family - my parents and closer elders included. He has taken the pre-liberalisation era of limited opportunities to new cinematic highs by taking a dagger to the hearts of men - and endeared himself to the ladies as a forlorn lover. Of course, this may have encouraged alcoholism and primitive brands of Teacher's whiskey - jocularly called "preacher's whiskey". Rajesh Khanna - also pushed the door open for South-Indian producers and directors and artists (other than heroines) who are not usually mobile. He was also protective of his persona till the very last - similar to Shobanbabu in Tollywood - not acting much in roles below that of the main protagonist. He has his lows in personal life but the highs make it a life worth being celebrated and remembered for. RIP.
