RAJESH KHANNA
NO MORE
But, what is Really, Really,
so special about him?
RAJESH KHANNA is
no more. He passed away yesterday, after a prolonged illness.
But, he will live
for a long, long time to come - through his memorable Films. All of us, who loved him in his films, know that.
Rajesh Khanna was Highly attractive.
But was he beautiful or handsome – is difficult to say. There is no
particular definition of Male Beauty. But, Male Handsomeness is more easily
understood. Big Biceps, triceps, all brawn and no fat – sort of thing. The
western Hero is typically that. Indian Heroes are fast becoming that.
Rajesh Khanna was attractive and Glamorous
– and no one could match him in that, during his period, or perhaps, later and earlier too.
It
was a great treat to watch him live his Roles in films like Aradhana; every movement
of every part of his face (especially) was so captivating. His heroines were highly
talented and beautiful – but – in the company of Rajesh Khanna, people watched
Rajesh Khanna more, and his heroines less.
Whether it was romance, love,
sadness, anger or pain, he emoted with such ease that – it was near perfect.
Neither more, nor less. Just what the audience need. Just what the role needs.
His face could show any emotion with such ease. Of course, his body co-operated
well too.
By contrast, today, we find biceps and
triceps and leg muscles acting more – and the FACE muscles acting TOO LESS. I am not against great
muscular Bodies, but face! That’s important too. Or, the most important one. That should act too.
It is not an exaggeration at all to
say that – Rajesh Khanna was absolutely ORIGINAL. There was none who did what he
did on the screen - either earlier or
even later- as effectively as he could. And yet, it was so effortless and so
captivating.
His voice – was his great asset. It was
romantic, slightly husky, extremely malleable and flexible. He could raise his
voice or lower it –to the levels needed - in split seconds. He could make the
blandest of Dialogues, most memorable.
Take that memorable dialogue in
Anand. When, he mouths the dialogue first, it looks comic – almost. We laugh.
But, the same, repeated in the last scene – turns the film so tragic. Most
people weep – at least their eyes get filled with tears invariably.
All other actors and actresses,
including Amitabh Bachhan – were only contributing factors in the movie. It was
all the way Rajesh Khanna – who was the prime cause of success of Anand. Or, of Aradhana. Sharmila’s
performance was superb in Aradhana. Yet, it was Rajesh Khanna whose presence
registers powerfully in audience minds for decades.
Kishore Kumar was an integral part of
Rajesh Khanna. It is difficult to separate the voice of Kishore from Rajesh
Khanna. I think - Kishore Kumar started overshadowing Rafi - starting with his superb
Hits in Aradhana.
Rajesh Khanna’s screen Romance is
perhaps the cleanest Romance I have seen for a long time. Never an overdose can
be seen in his screen Romance – even in his legendary rain song in Aradhana with Sharmila Tagore.
Whether the songs became legendary because of Rajesh Khanna's acting or Rajesh Khanna's acting became legendary because of the songs - or it was both - is difficult to tell. Many times, when a song sequence starts, we will feel, it was actually Rajesh Khanna who was singing. The previous dialogue of Rajesh Khanna so perfectly matches with the song.
Many a time, I felt, Rajesh Khanna could as well be a Great singer.His voice was so good.
His on-screen chemistry with all of his
heroines was beautiful and near perfect – but, in my view, Mumtaz was one actress,
with whom he acted with real ease and closeness. Like in Aap ki Kasam.
Many of his movies had almost no villains.
Just that – the stories were so beautiful. He did not act much in MASALA movies
of today’s Genre – sex-violence-villains -
etc – barring one or two, which any way were not his best movies.
In fact, he faded away later - when Good stories did not come by. This is my strong feeling.
While I am generally averse to
commenting about his personal life – I feel – If Dimple and Rajesh had lived
together, despite their differences , it would have been great for both. It was
good that they were together when he breathed his last. That they remained
single after separation, till the end – also speaks well of both of them. That ensures that his soul will rest in Peace.
He was of course the First Super Star. Such
labels really carry no meaning and have no depth. He was a consummate actor. In
that – there are no comparisons. There are lots of things to learn from Rajesh Khanna’s
success in Films.
Any Film – needs a Good story. Any
Film needs good, relevant, moving, meaningful music. The less, the villains and
villainy, the more, the film, the Hero and other good things of the film will
be remembered for a long time.
Sholay (with Dharmendra and Amitabh) has a
memorable villain – but much, much less villainy than today’s movies. The more
down to the earth the film, the more it will have identification in the minds
of audience. There are many such important lessons to learn - from the success of his films.
All this means – we need Producers
and Directors – with willingness to make Great Movies. If this happens, Great
Actors like Rajesh Khanna and Amitabh Bacchan will come up again. Else, Biceps
and Triceps will be the ACTORS.
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