Rajesh Khanna Birth Anniversary: Here's Everything You Need To Know About Bollywood's First Superstar

Akshay Kumar's father-in-law, Rajesh Khanna, started his acting career after winning a talent competition in the 1960s. 'Aradhana' made him a star overnight. His stardom was such that girls used to sleep with his pictures under their pillows

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Rajesh Khanna

Bollywood's first superstar, Rajesh Khanna's, birth anniversary is on Dec 29. Born in 1942, the success stories of Akshay Kumar's father-in-law are still famous today.

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Movies

In the All India United Producers Talent competition, Rajesh Khanna was among the eight finalists chosen from over 10,000 contestants. As a prize, he got roles in 'Aakhri Khat' and 'Raaz'.

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Aradhana

Shakti Samanta's 'Aradhana', released in 1969, made him a star overnight. This blockbuster established Rajesh Khanna as a romantic hero. His signature head-tilt style drove audiences crazy.

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15 Solo Hits

Between 1969-1971, Rajesh Khanna delivered 15 solo hits like 'Aradhana' and 'Kati Patang', after which he was declared a superstar. He gave over 10 hits in two years, a record that still stands.

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Stardom

Rajesh Khanna's fan following was unmatched. Girls would 'marry' his photos and his car would be covered in lipstick marks. Achieving his level of stardom is still a dream for any superstar today.