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Rediff.com  » Movies » WATCH: Rajesh Khanna and his famous leading ladies
This article was first published 11 years ago

WATCH: Rajesh Khanna and his famous leading ladies

Last updated on: July 19, 2012 15:25 IST
Image: Sharmila Tagore and Rajesh Khanna in Aradhana

Rajesh Khanna departed for his heavenly abode after a prolonged illness and left with us, his legacy -- some of the most evocative romantic films, picturesque songs and crackling chemistry with the most successful costars of his time.

Here's looking at some of his most popular leading ladies and the iconic songs that captured the legendary Rajesh Khanna doing what he did best -- making his lovers, both on screen and off it, swoon.

Sharmila Tagore

Rajesh Khanna's winning streak at the box office began with the 1969 Shakti Samanta film Aradhana.

The film proved lucky for both its leads -- while Rajesh Khanna became a phenomenon overnight, Sharmila Tagore won her first and only Filmfare award for Best Actress.

One of the most successfull onscreen pairs, Rajesh Khanna and Sharmila Tagore went on to star in other hit films like Daag, Safar and Amar Prem.

Mumtaz

Image: Mumtaz and Rajesh Khanna in Roti

Rajesh Khanna and Mumtaz worked together in 10 films, delivering hits after hits with memorable roles in Roti, Aap Ki Kasam and Sachcha Jhootha.

The costars first starred together in the 1969 film Bandhan and later in Do Raaste the same year.

Their song Jai Jai Shiv Shankar from the film Aap Ki Kasam and their easy chemistry in the film made it one of the most memorable watches of all time.

The pair went on to give hits after hits together until Rajesh Khanna married Dimple Kapadia. Shortly afterwards, Mumtaz got married to businessman Mayur Madhvani and retired from her film career.

Waheeda Rehman

Image: Waheeda Rehman and Rajesh Khanna in Khamoshi

Remembered for its soulful music and haunting lyrics by Gulzar, Khamoshi was Rajesh Khanna's first film with Waheeda Rehman.

Considered as one of Waheeda Rehman's finest works, it was the only film where she starred opposite the late superstar. The film, a remake of 1959 Bengali film Deep Jwele Jaai, was directed by Asit Sen and it was Rehman who suggested to the director that he cast Khanna, a relative newcomer at the time, in the role.

Asha Parekh

Image: Asha Parekh and Rajesh Khanna in Aan Milo Sajna

Rajesh Khanna did his third Hindi film -- Baharon Ke Sapne in 1967 -- with Asha Parekh.

But it was before his moment of glory arrived, which was in 1969 with Aradhana and so Baharon Ke Sapne was remembered for the large part because of Asha Parekh.

His fortune truly changed when he starred opposite her again in Kati Patang in 1971. They also starred in Aan Milo Sajna, which came out in the same year and later in Dharm Aur Kanoon in 1984.

Hema Malini

Image: Hema Malini and Rajesh Khanna in Mehbooba

But it was Hema Malini whom Rajesh Khanna worked with in the maximum number of films.

The actors starred in as many as 15 films together, most of them super hits.

Their first film together was Ramesh Sippy's 1971 film Andaz and went on to become a big hit.

The song Zindagi ek safar fetched a Filmfare nomination for Kishore Kumar and is one of the most loved Hindi film songs even today.

Hema Malini went on to work in other memorable films like Prem Nagar, Mehbooba and Kudrat with Khanna.

Tanuja

Image: Tanuja and Rajesh Khanna in Mere Jeevan Saathi

Tanuja starred with Rajesh Khanna for the first time in the 1971 film Haathi Mere Saathi.

The film turned out to be the biggest hit of the year and turned the lead stars into a popular onscreen couple.

A complete family entertainer in its truest sense, Haathi Mere Saathi remains a classic even today. Produced by Chinnappa Devar of Devar Films, the film was the biggest hit made by a South Indian producer at the time.

The couple's other film Mere Jeevan Saathi was a hit too.

Rekha

Image: Rekha and Rajesh Khanna in Agar Tum Na Hotay

Rajesh Khanna worked with Rekha when they came together for the film Namak Haraam in 1973.

The Hrishikesh Mukherjee film brought Rajesh Khanna and Amitabh Bachchan back together on screen after the highly acclaimed Anand but people took notice of the chemistry between Khanna and Rekha.

The pair's other films include Agar Tum Na Hotay and Bhola Bhala.

Zeenat Aman

Image: Zeenat Aman and Rajesh Khanna in Ajnabee

The superstar worked with the hottest actress of his time -- Zeenat Aman -- in Ajnabee (1974) for the first time.

The film went on to become a commercial as well as a critical success. They went on to work in films like Chhaila Babu and Aashiq Hun Baharon Ka.

Tina Munim

Image: Tina Munim and Rajesh Khanna in Souten

Rajesh Khanna did his first film with a much younger Tina Munim in the later phase of his acting career.

While they did films like Fifty Fity and Suraag in 1981 and 1982 respectively, it is the song Shayad meri shaadi ka khayal form their 1983 film Souten that this onscreen pair is most remembered for.