A tribute to
Rajesh Khanna
~ Immortal Prince of
Romance In Hindi Cinema ~
Millions love ‘Action’ cinema,
but Billions love ‘Romantic’ cinema. Children
and abnormal adults are fans of ‘Action’ cinema, whereas decent, gentle,
soft-natured people are the fans of ‘Romantic’ cinema. Both categories of cinema has Superstars, but
judge for yourself who between the two has true long-lasting value.
Rajesh Khanna, the all-time most
popular romantic hero in the history of Indian cinema (Bollywood ), passed away
on Wednesday, July 18, 2012 after a brief illness. He is said to be the first Superstar of Hindi
cinema. Being the ‘first’ is always
special. The feat makes a person
immortal. History will always remember
him. Just like Sunil Gavaskar, the first
man to reach 10,000 runs mark in Test cricket.
Scores of cricketers will come and go and even make more runs, but he
will always be remembered to be the ‘first’ to reach there. His immortality is guaranteed. Same thing about Rajesh Khanna whom his fans lovingly called 'Kaka' .
Yes, I myself have grown up watching his films. Stylish bending of neck while singing, and his eyes winking at the heroine
mischievously but meaningfully, those were his trademark acts.
Best storylines, memorable songs,
beautiful heroines and his stunning
performance as a romantic hero ensured that his films were smash
hits. One thing we must accept is that without Kishore Kumar signing for
him it might not have been possible to become the first Superstar of Indian
cinema for Rajesh Khanna. Song is
important in Indian cinema. Often we like to remember our favourite hero associating him with some hit
songs in the films he had acted. No one can ignore this fact.
The difference between
today’s Superstars and Rajesh Khanna, or
for that matter romantic movies of today and those made during his times, is that
he reigned in an era when soft,
tender romance in movies was loved, appreciated and cherished by the spectators
whereas today what goes in the name of love or romance on screen is actually ‘violent love’. For example, in a song
sequence you will see the hero suddenly lifting the jeans-clad actress on his shoulders, the
actress also jumping, bending like she has no bones , one of her legs rising upto his
thighs and enticing them like serpents, and start gyrating
etc. etc. But violent
love has violent ending, as the saying goes. People watch today’s romantic Bollywood movies just to quench
their erotic thirsts and, once quenched, throw them away and forget
forever. Not the same case with Rajesh Khanna-starrer romantic movies. They are
diamonds. And they’re forever
! They are classics, and they’re formal
! Actually, romance in movies reflect
the manners of people of that time. 50 years
from now people will wonder, watching Rajesh Khanna’s movies, how decently they
loved, how dignified were the women of that time. And
that’s why, I think, his movies will never fade away. For romantic movie lovers, they are like treasured
jewels.
I would mention just a few of his
movies I have watched and still cherish watching again. They are: (1)Kati Patang,(2) Aradhana, (3)Aap Ki
Kasam, (4)Prem Nagar, (5)Roti. I think Kati
Patang and Aradhana are two of his best movies
I have ever watched. I like Mumtaz and Asha Parekh as his heroines.
Thank you ‘Kaka’ for entertaining
us. You will long continue to live in
our romantic hearts. Oh yes, we know what you said in a song in
one of your movies …
“zindagi ke safar mein ….. woh, phir nahin aatein”. Yes, you won’t come back again, but you have
left behind some unforgettable memories of on-screen romance.
.
