19 august 2024 : Rajesh Khanna emerged as one of the most prominent stars of the 1970s, captivating a vast audience. His fanbase was so fervent that female admirers would adorn his car with lipstick, compose letters in blood, and even engage in symbolic marriages with his photographs. He is often regarded as India’s inaugural superstar. His influence extended beyond Bollywood, garnering a significant following in the South despite linguistic differences. Nevertheless, the actor experienced a decline in his career. He remarked, “Falling from that height has bruised me and left me internally bleeding.” Over the years, there have been several initiatives to document his life, yet a definitive biography remains absent. Recently, a video featuring Rajesh’s daughter, Twinkle Khanna, surfaced online, in which a journalist inquires whether she would consider writing her father’s biography. She promptly declined, stating, “No.”
Twinkle elaborated, “I am drawn to narratives that possess depth and complexity. While it is commendable to write about an individual, such stories must have layers and convey a meaningful message.” Her remarks elicited a variety of responses. One user commented, “In all fairness, it would be uncomfortable for a daughter to reveal the complete truth about her father, especially regarding the intricacies of her parents’ romantic life.” Others suggested that Twinkle Khanna lacked a true understanding of her father. A comment noted, “Can Twinkle write anything about Rajesh Khanna? No. She never comprehended him, never cared for him, and was never close to him. Rajesh was a solitary figure; no family can truly grasp his essence. His fans stood by him, while his family has seemingly forsaken his memory.”
Rajesh Khanna himself was once approached to pen his biography, but he declined, stating, “If I reveal the truth about my life, I would compromise the dignity of many. I cannot do that.”
He remarked, “My life resembles a narrative filled with numerous highs and lows. The public primarily recognizes me through my films and the film industry publications, and I wish for them to understand the other facets of Rajesh Khanna. However, I have yet to decide on writing a biography, as I desire it to be completely truthful. This honesty would necessitate mentioning individuals and recounting events that involve others. If I were to be candid about my experiences, it could potentially cause pain to some individuals, which I wish to avoid.”