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29 March 2024

RIP Rajesh Khanna: Indian PM, celebs pay tribute

Published

Bollywood actor Rajesh Khanna, often called India's first superstar, died in Mumbai on Wednesday. Khanna, 69, a popular actor in the 1970s, had been unwell for several months and had been discharged from hospital earlier this week.

His funeral is scheduled for Thursday morning in Mumbai, a spokeswoman for Khanna's son-in-law, actor Akshay Kumar, told Reuters.

Khanna made his acting debut with "Aakhri Khat" but shot to fame three years later, playing a dashing young pilot in the 1969 hit "Aradhana".

He featured in successful films such as "Amar Prem" and "Anand" over the next decade.

Celebrities paid their last respects and conveyed their condolences. Indian Prime Minister led from the front.

Dr Manmohan Singh : The Prime Minister condoles the passing away of cinema personality, entertainer and former Member of Parliament, Shri Rajesh Khanna.

Amitabh Bachchan: T 809 - What can one say when a colleague, a most important member of the fraternity, younger than you passes away..Rajesh Khanna no more !

T 809 - I stand mute in front of his still body, with nothing crossing my mind ... just disbelief, and a reverence to his departed soul !!

T 809 - The word 'superstar' was invented for him, and for me it shall ever remain his, and no others .. !!

T 809 - His generation and the generations that follow, shall never be able to describe, or understand his phenomena .. !!

T 809 - Just the mere mention of his name 'Rajesh Khanna' sent myriad images of fanfare, awe, and reverential mention !!

T 809 - At his home earlier today, someone close came up and told me, his last words were 'time up ho gaya - pack up !!'

Narendra Modi: With his unique persona, Rajesh Khanna ji made a special & unforgettable place in the hearts of Indians! May his soul rest in peace.

Shah Rukh Khan: To live with intention & walk to the edge. Play with abandon, choose with no regret. Smile & made us do the same.Sir,u defined our era.RIP

Anupam Kher: Rajesh Khanna gave us a crash course in Romance. He introduced us to a special twinkle in the eye that made us feel good about ourselves.RIP

Gulzar: Aye Babu Moshaye....zindagi badi honi chahiye, lambi nahi ! Goodbye Kaka. You will live forever in our hearts through your cinema.

Shilpa Shetty: Jus heard the sad news,heartfelt condolences & prayers 2 the family 2 cope with this irreparable loss,R.I.P Rajesh Khanna,a Superstar always

Farah Khan: Just hrd the saddest news.the 1st Superstar of india is no more.bt the legend that was Rajesh khanna will live eternally thru his films.

Arshad Warsi: RIP KAKA.... God bless n have mercy on his soul....

Ken Ghosh: RIP Rajesh Khanna - "Nafrat ki duniya ko chod ke Pyaar ki duniya mein, Khush rehena mere yaar...." Haathi Mere Saathi

Manoj Bajpayee: Nafrat ki duniya ko chod ke pyar ki duniya me khush rahena mere yaar!still remember hathi mere sathi .saw it as a child.we will miss you sir

Tusshar Kapoor was the first to tweet: “Rajesh Khanna, our first superstar is no more. I worked with him in ‘Kyaa Dil Ne Kaha and learned a lot just talking to him. May his soul rest in peace.” His father, Jeetendra, also a veteran actor was Rajesh Khanna's school friend.

Coincidentally, Kapoor’s father, actor Jeetendra and Khanna went to school together and pursued a similar path to stardom.

Actress Neha Dhupia also took to Twitter to say: “RIP Rajesh Khanna. You are stardom, your magic will live forever.”

Dia Mirza recited lines from Khanna’s famous films, adding: “Anand, Kati Patang, Bawarchi and many more... What a legacy you’ve left behind. RIP Rajesh Khanna.”

Director Madhur Bhandarkar ‏said: “The epitome of superstardom is no more amongst us. There was none, there is none and there won’t be any like you Kakaji. You will be missed.”

Bollywood producer/director and choreographer Farah Khan said: “Just heard the saddest news. The first Superstar of India is no more. But the legend that was Rajesh Khanna will live eternally through his films.”