Tributes pour after death of Rajesh Khanna, 'the first Bollywood superstar'
By Harmeet Shah Singh, CNN
updated 2:38 PM EDT, Thu July 19, 2012
Rajesh Khanna waves arrives for the "7th Apsara Awards" during the ceremony in Mumbai, India, on January 25. Khanna's death was anounced Wednesday by his son-in-law, Akshay Kumar. He was 69.
Khanna, center, who was elected to the lower house of the Indian parliament in 1992, shows a victory sign during a Congress Party election campaign meeting in New Delhi in November 2003.
Khanna talks to the media at the Venetian Hotel in Macau after receiving his lifetime achievement award at the 10th International Indian Film Academy in 2009.
A float bearing the coffin of Rajesh Khanna is carried in a procession to the crematorium in Mumbai on Thursday, July 19.
Large crowds gather to watch the funeral procession Thursday.
Fans strive to get a glimpse of Khanna as his body is carried on a float during the funeral procession, Thursday.
Rajesh Khanna, Bollywood superstar
Rajesh Khanna, Bollywood superstar
Rajesh Khanna, Bollywood superstar
Rajesh Khanna, Bollywood superstar
Rajesh Khanna, Bollywood superstar
Rajesh Khanna, Bollywood superstar
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
- His movies are part of Indian "film folklore," the prime minister says
- The actor had been in and out of hospital in recent months
- He is best remembered for the romantic movies he made in the '60s and '70s
- Khanna also spent four years as a lawmaker in the Indian parliament
New Delhi (CNN) -- The Indian actor Rajesh Khanna, who became the first Bollywood superstar, died Wednesday in Mumbai at the age of 69, his family said.
The death of Khanna, who starred in dozens of movies in a career spanning five decades, prompted tributes from fellow actors and the Indian government.
"He was called the first superstar of the Indian cinema and his popularity as a romantic hero in the 1960s and 1970s is a part of our film folklore," Prime Minister Manmohan Singh wrote in a condolence message to Khanna's family.
"Rajesh Khanna taught us how to smile. He added dignity to our concept of romance," the actor Anupam Kher said in a message posted on his Twitter feed. "His songs made us forget our daily struggles of life."
Bollywood legend Rajesh Khanna dies
Khanna had been in and out of the hospital during the past few months, but the nature of his illness and cause of death have not been officially disclosed.
Bollywood star Dev Anand dies at 88
After Khanna's son-in-law, Akshay Kumar, who is also a Bollywood star, announced his death Wednesday, crowds of people gathered outside his Mumbai home. And hundreds of people lined the streets of Mumbai for his funeral Thursday.
Khanna began his movie career in the 1966 film Aakhri Khat (The Last Letter), but his breakout role came three years later in the highly successful Aradhana (Worship), in which he played a dashing pilot.
He went on to star in a string of hit romantic movies, and his shy smile won him legions of devoted admirers. Among his most popular films were Safar (Journey) in 1970; Anand (Bliss) in 1971; and Haathi Mere Sathi (Elephant, My Companion) also in 1971.
The secret of Bollywood's success
His movie career wound down over the course of the 1980s, and he shifted his attention to politics. He was elected to the lower house of the Indian parliament in 1992 by a borough of New Delhi.
After Khanna's time in parliament ended in 1996, his popularity dimmed and his political career faded. He led a more reclusive life and was rarely seen in public.
Bollywood poster painters face extinction in digital age
He appeared in just a handful of films, the last of which was Wafaa (Loyalty) in 2008. He briefly reemerged a few months ago, appearing in a television ad for ceiling fans.
Born as Jatin Khanna in 1942, Khanna married fellow actor Dimple Kapadia in 1973. They had two daughters, Twinkle Khanna and Rinke Khanna.
The couple separated in the 1980s, but his estranged wife was seen with him in recent months after he fell ill.
Part of complete coverage on
Catch up with all the latest news, photos and comments from the London 2012 Olympic Games in CNN's live blog.
updated 10:06 PM EDT, Tue July 31, 2012
From the 200-meter butterfly swim to women's team gymnastics, see the best pictures from day 4 of the Games.
updated 11:51 AM EDT, Mon July 30, 2012
Syria's rebels have transformed themselves into an armed movement capable of attacking the country's two largest cities.
updated 9:00 AM EDT, Tue July 31, 2012
Eric Moussambani swam the worst 100m time in the history of the Olympics. Now 34, 'Eric the Eel' is hoping to return to the pool at Rio 2016.
updated 9:45 AM EDT, Sun July 29, 2012
Israelis and Palestinians in Jerusalem tell CNN which U.S. presidential candidate is better for their cause.
updated 9:24 AM EDT, Sat July 28, 2012
The 140 million Twitter users are creating new challenges at the first "social media Olympics."
updated 4:32 PM EDT, Tue July 31, 2012
Hundreds of millions have been dazzled by the sights and sounds of director Danny Boyle's opening ceremony for the 2012 Summer Games.
updated 11:28 PM EDT, Wed July 25, 2012
For the first time, every country enters a female competitor, and survivors of the Arab Spring will compete. What surprises will London produce?
updated 9:25 AM EDT, Thu July 26, 2012
Forget about the queen and Big Ben -- the Olympic Park is in the East End, long home to London's working and creative classes.
updated 9:01 PM EDT, Fri July 27, 2012
When five teenagers sat down and posed for a picture at Copco Lake in 1982, they didn't plan on making it a tradition. But that's what it became.
updated 7:24 AM EDT, Wed July 25, 2012
The Olympics may have started out as an idealistic showcase of amateur sporting prowess, but now it's a very big business.
updated 9:01 PM EDT, Fri July 27, 2012
When five teenagers sat down and posed for a picture at Copco Lake in 1982, they didn't plan on making it a tradition. But that's what it became.
updated 10:33 AM EDT, Thu July 26, 2012
He's got blue wings, an adventurous spirit and is poised to be the latest film star to come out of South Africa.
updated 11:36 PM EDT, Wed July 25, 2012
Fangshan residents are angry at what they perceive as government indifference to their plight following devastating floods.
updated 3:09 PM EDT, Sat July 28, 2012
Lisa Sylvester reports on Skydiver Felix Baumgartner - who survived a test jump from 96,000 feet, falling at 536 mph.
updated 12:31 PM EDT, Wed July 25, 2012
A team of young documentary makers is hoping to burst the myth of Africa as a dangerous backwater by shining a light on some inspiring projects.
updated 5:06 PM EDT, Mon July 23, 2012
Even after the Colorado shootings, Jonathan Mann says American attitudes and laws concerning guns aren't likely to change much.
updated 5:36 AM EDT, Fri July 27, 2012
Islamic radicals linked to al Qaeda have seized the northern half of Mali, triggering concerns that it could become a terrorist haven.
updated 2:14 AM EDT, Thu July 26, 2012
If you tire of the athletics in London this summer, take a stroll through the city's World Heritage Sites.
updated 8:08 AM EDT, Fri July 27, 2012
A spate of recent suicides caused by bullying prompts Japan to set up a dedicated team to prevent further tragedies.
Most popular stories right now
© 2012 Cable News Network. Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
|