Late veteran actor Rajesh Khanna is touted by many as one of the first superstars of Bollywood. After an illustrious career spanning decades, the actor passed away in 2012, leaving fans across the globe in shock and despair. The veteran actor was last seen on screen in an ad for Havells Fans. Recently, filmmaker R Balki, who directed the ad, recalled how the actor was flown in in an air ambulance before the shoot.
Talking to Radio Nasha, the director said that when he first wanted to cast Rajesh Khanna for the ad, the company was not fully convinced. However, Balki believed, “I don’t think anybody had as many fans as he did, and I don’t think anybody lost as many fans as he did.”
Balki recalled that when he had his first meeting with the actor at his bungalow Aashirvaad, he explained to him that the concept of the ad was a dig at Rajesh’s career. The director revealed that Rajesh Khanna said, “Balki, you think I would have been such a big superstar if I didn’t have a sense of humour.”
However, three days before the shoot, Rajesh Khanna had to be hospitalised. Upon hearing this, Balki opined that the shoot be postponed. However, the actor refused to accept this and “he made sure that he had an air ambulance”.
Recalling the shoot in Bangalore, Balki said, “He went to the room. He said, ‘Balki, I want to rehearse.’ I went to his room. There was a guy holding the drip bottle, there was another guy holding the stand. He was trying to dance in the room. I had tears in my eyes. He said, ‘Tomorrow morning, I am on’.”
Once the shoot began, Rajesh Khanna ripped off the drips and went on to do two takes. However, he was not satisfied and told Balki, “Sorry I would like one more take but can’t do it.” Balki added, “I don’t think he saw the ad when it was done finally because he passed away very soon after that. I didn’t know he was so close to going away on that particular day but he made sure that he came and enjoyed himself. This was a truly truly touching experience.”
Veteran actor Rajesh Khanna passed away at the age of 69 on July 18, 2012, in Mumbai.
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