Answers to the Rajesh Khanna Quiz

[Guest guest]

As usual, Anshu gets 10/10

Answers to the Rajesh Khanna Quiz:

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?

Rajesh Khanna was born in Amritsar, Punjab, but was adopted by his wealthy

relatives in Mumbai. His real name was Jatin Khanna, and he entered an All

India talent competition organized by the United Producers. He pipped Vinod

Mehra to get first rank and was awarded a role in the movie Aakhri Khat and

Raaz. Though Aakhri Khat was his first screened movie, Raaz had its credits

stating " Introducing Rajesh Khanna. "

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?

This one was actually a trick question. There were actually two movies after

these where these two superstars came together. However, in each, the other

had only a small appearance. Rajesh Khanna did a cameo in the Amitabh song:

Jaani Janardhan from Naseeb. And Amitabh did a voice over in the Rajesh

Khanna starrer Bawarchi, the unusual story of a do-good cook.

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?

BR Chopra's crime drama Ittefaq starring Nanda and Rajesh Khanna had some

wonderfully taut moments but not one single song in it. We can see a young

Jagdish Raj as an Inspector in this murder mystery, a role he would essay

umpteen times in later life. So much so, that whenever Jagdish Raj was

spotted by roadside policemen, he would get an automatic salute.

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?

At that time, Sharmila Tagore was already an established star, while Rajesh

Khanna was just a struggling newcomer. She was busy shooting in Kolkatta and

could not give dates to Shakti Samata for his shoot. Unfortunately, the song

shot in Darjeeling could not wait due to weather conditions. So the shooting

of Aaradhana's famous Mere Sapanon ki raani proceeded ironically mouthing

the words 'kab aayegi tu'. Sharmila later acted out her parts in a studio

with a bogus train bogie. The backgrounds do not match but who cares when

the song is so great?

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.

At that time S D Burman was extremely sick. He had already finalized

Mohammed Rafi to sing all the songs of this movie. But as he was sick, his

son, RD or Panchamda, took over. RD not only ghost composed the entire

musical score of Aaradhana, but brought in his favourite Kishore Kumar to

sing for Rajesh Khanna. The song " Roop tera Mastan " heard till today even in

remixes was shot on a circular trolley shot in just one continuous shot.

Yet, despite the lack of external props, the charisma of Sharmila and Rajesh

was enough to hold the audience spell bound. RD Burman's music of Aaradhana

was a super hit, though the entire credit did go to his father SD. (SD did

compose Gun guna rahe hai bhavaren and Safal hogi teri- in his own voice)

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

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

By today's standard, this movie will rank as the tackiest of all. Only a

mustache and goggles can disguise Rajesh Khanna, and a golden blonde wig and

fewer clothes can hide (if that is the word) voluptuous Mumtaz. But Apna

Desh scored not on its script or story, but on star power and that crazy

song, in RD's hoarse voice " Duniya mein, logon ko, dhoka kabhi ho jaata

hai..HHUUUHHH! " RD used the same heavy panting later in his song " Piya tu ab

to aaja from Caravan.

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?

Kudrat had a tribal Rajesh Khanna wooing a village belle Hema Malini

singing " Hame tumse pyaar kitna, yeh hum nahi jaante " . Later in his rebirth

it is Aruna Irani who remembers and sings the song in Parveen Sultan's

voice. It is amazing to hear both the versions: Same yet so different!

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

heroine. Can you name this famous heroine?

Of course, now her family produces the nylon used to make the bristles of

toothbrushes, but in those days Tina Munim was a bindaas lady, who shared

many things, besides toothbrushes with Kakaji.

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?

After giving a continuous string of hits together, they were considered a

pair on and off screen. However, Rajesh sprung a surprise and married the 16

year old Dimple, leaving Mumtaz so heartbroken that she is said to have

finished all her pending films and flown off to marry Mayur Madhwani, the

South African Sindhi businessman. That this marriage did not work out well

is another story.

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?

The film, of course was Haathi Mere Saathi. Though technically produced by

Chinappa Dewar, his son-in-law was the actual producer and director.

Chinappa Dewar had wanted Sanjeev Kumar in this animal saga. However,

Sanjeev Kumar refused. Then Thyagarajan, Chinappa's son-in law, took over

and roped in Rajesh Khanna. This movie went on to become the greatest

grosser till that date in Hindi film history.

-Kishore Shah 1974