Rajesh Khanna: Biography, Facts and Career

Rajesh Khanna (pronounced [ɾɑːd͡ʒeːʃ kʰənnɑː] ; born Jatin Khanna; 29 December 1942 – 18 July 2012) was an Indian actor, film producer and politician who worked in Hindi films. Regarded as one of the greatest and most successful actors in the history of Indian cinema, he is considered the first Superstar of Hindi cinema. His accolades include five Filmfare Awards, and in 2013, he was posthumously awarded the Padma Bhushan, India's third highest civilian honour. Khanna made his acting debut in 1966 with Aakhri Khat, which was India's first official Academy Awards entry in 1967. Khanna saw his rise to superstardom in 1969 with romantic musical Aradhana starring Sharmila Tagore. The film went to become a massive blockbuster at the box office and made him an overnight sensation. The same year, romantic family drama Do Raaste opposite Mumtaz also released. These films turned Khanna into a Superstar and marked the beginning of Rajesh Khanna Mania of the early-1970s. He continued his domination at the box office in 1970 and 1971 with films, such as – The Train, Sachaa Jhutha, Safar, Aan Milo Sajna, Kati Patang, Mehboob Ki Mehndi, Anand, Andaz, Maryada, Haathi Mere Saathi, Chhoti Bahu and Khamoshi, eventually giving 17 consecutive successes in a span of three years, a record which remains unbroken to date. In 2005, he was honoured with the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award on the 50th anniversary of the Filmfare Awards. He was a Member of Parliament in the 10th Lok Sabha from New Delhi Lok Sabha constituency between 1992 and 1996, elected in the 1992 New Delhi by-election as an Indian National Congress candidate. He married Dimple Kapadia in March 1973, eight months before her debut film Bobby was released and had two daughters from the marriage. Their older daughter Twinkle Khanna is a former actress, who is married to actor Akshay Kumar, while their younger daughter Rinke Khanna is also a former actress. Khanna died on 18 July 2012, after a period of illness.

Quick facts about Rajesh Khanna

• Full name: Rajesh Khanna
• Born: 1942-12-29
• Nationality: India
• Known as: Musician
• Wikidata ID: Q107130

Profile compiled from public Wikipedia and Wikidata data. Details can change over time.