Goodbye Anand!

[Guest guest]

Goodbye Anand!

My formative years were spent hearing the melodious wooing of heroines by

Rajesh Khanna. He truly was a superstar in the sense that nothing he could

do was wrong.

Who can forget the twinkle in his eyes while singing Yeh Shaam mastaani in

Kati Patang? This pimply faced young actor from Punjab was just struggling

with his initial Aakhri Khat (which ironically was his first film) and Raaz,

when he suddenly struck box office gold with Aaradhana. This movie with his

first ever double role went on to become a lasting money spinner with its

tremendous score. The audience was caught by surprise by the nodding head of

this fresh face.

At the height of his stardom, he suddenly caught everyone by surprise by

whisking off Bobby (Dimple) and marrying her, in the process, breaking many

hearts; male and female. He returned from his honeymoon to act in the first

Yash Chopra film, Daag, in a mustachioed avatar.

Though many consider Anand his best film as the tragic dying but cheerful

patient, my personal favourite is Ittefaq. I can watch this movie any number

of times, and even though I know the suspense, I hold my breath every time

Rajesh Khanna enacts how exactly the murder took place.

Until the blitzkrieg of the Bachchan phenomenon swept him suddenly off his

feet, Rajesh Khanna was truly the king of all he surveyed. In his tribute,

here is a small quiz that I have put together. Let's see how many you get

right.

1. This first question is a simple one. Rajesh Khanna was chosen from an all

India talent contest to act in the films. However, he had not entered as

Rajesh Khanna. What was his name then?

2. Amitabh and Rajesh Khanna famously did not get along well together.

However, their films were memorable. Anand was a super tear jerker in which

Rajesh Khanna dies. Namak Haraam was a second film which followed. However

there is a third film that these two bosses did together. Can you name it?

3. Rajesh Khanna films are known for their melodious music. However, this

super hit did not have even one single song in it. Can you name this great

film?

4. This was one of the greatest hit romantic songs which was filmed on this

famous pair. However, the heroine was not available, so this song was

actually picturized only with Rajesh Khanna. The heroine was later added by

interposing studio shots in between the outdoor shots of the song. The

effect was quite tacky, but the song was so great that it became an

overnight sensation. Which was it?

5. The entire song was filmed with just one continuous take on the camera.

Name this evergreen song, whose first words were used to make another film.

6. A mustached Rajesh Khanna in jazzy clothes and Mumtaz shimmering in a

golden blonde wig. Which movie had RDs voice for Rajesh Khanna?

7. This song of rebirth of Rajesh Khanna and Hema Malini was sung by two

different artists. One was Kishore Kumar. Who sang the other version?

8. Rajesh Khanna famously claimed to have shared a toothbrush with some

heroine. Can you name this famous heroine?

9. It is claimed that when Rajesh Khanna married Dimple, this heroine was so

heartbroken that she wound up her films, married a non-filmi guy and went

off. Who was this lady?

10. No one wanted to act in this movie, which had animals as heroes.

However, Rajesh Khanna took up the challenge and overshadowed the animals.

Can you name the south producer of this famous film?

-Kishore Shah

(Send your answers here. Let's see how many you get right.)