7.22 PM Friday, 29 March 2024
  • City Fajr Shuruq Duhr Asr Magrib Isha
  • Dubai 04:56 06:10 12:26 15:53 18:37 19:52
29 March 2024

Bollywood's original superstar Rajesh Khanna is dead

Published

Bollywood's first superstar, Rajesh Khanna passed away this afternoon at his residence in Mumbai. He was 69.

The actor is survived by his estranged wife and actress Dimple Kapadia, along with two daughters Twinkle and Rinki Khanna.

Twinkle is married to superstar Akshay Kumar is his son-in-law. While his younger daughter Rinki is married to Sameer Saran, a businessman.

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

His villa, Aashirwad, on Carter Road in Bandra has been cordoned off by Mumbai police.

Born as Jatin Khanna, the award-winning actor has starred in 163 feature films during his career span in Bollywood, having won three Filmfare Best Actor Awards and having been nominated for it 14 times. 

Kaka, as he was fondly known in the film fraternity, debuted in ‘Aakhri Khat’ (1966), however, his breakthrough performance came a year later in Ravindra Dave’s ‘Raaz’.

Khanna continued his golden run at the box office by delivering 15 consecutive hits, which also earned him the title of a superstar in India.

Of his biggest hits include ‘Amar Prem’, ‘Aradhana’, ‘Ittefaq’, and ‘Anand’.

Ailing star

Barely a day after Kaka, as he was fondly known as, was discharged from Mumbai's Lilavati Hospital, that his condition deteriorated and he was put on ventilator. The 69-year-old actor has been in and out of hospital since June 23 and was being treated for weakness and exhaustion. According to media reports, the actor was suffering from cancer.

His estranged wife, Dimple Kapadia and his younger daughter Rinkie were with him in the hospital. His elder daughter Twinkle Khanna, who is married to actor Akshay Kumar, went to visit him in the hospital.

The actor was last seen in public on June 21 when he appeared on the balcony of his home Aashirwaad. He looked weak and was wearing dark glasses. He waved at his fans and showed them the victory sign. His fans had gathered outside his bungalow when he was said to have stopped eating.