Remembering Rajesh Khanna: Evergreen Dialogues By 'India's First Superstar' That Touched Our Hearts!

Had Rajesh Khanna been alive, he would have turned 76 today. Born in Amritsar, Punjab as Jatin Khanna, he was adopted by his uncle Chunnilala and aunt Leelawati Khanna at a young age. After winning the 1965 All India Talent Contest, Khanna stepped into the film industry with Aakhri Khat in 1966. On his uncle's suggestion, he changed his name from Jatin Khanna to Rajesh Khanna.

In an interview with a newspaper, he recollected, "Though 'Aakhri Khat' is my first film, I received my first break as a leading actor in Ravindra Dave's, 'Raaz', in 1967. My heroine was Babita, already a popular actress then. Though I had lots of confidence, I was shy in facing the camera initially. In my first three shots, I had to perform with stress on my body language and dialogue delivery. Though I was right with my dialogues, my movements were not up to the mark. Ravindra Dave explained me my scenes and movements very clearly correcting my way of walking."

He went on to star in few more films until 'Aaradhna' happened and India got his first superstar! Over the years, Khanna went on to star in memorable films like 'Amar Prem', 'Anand', 'Kati Patang', 'Daag', 'Namak Haram', 'Haathi Mere Saathi', 'Safar', 'Baawarchi' amongst others.

His enigmatic charm made the women go weak in their knees. In the book, 'Dark Star: The Loneliness of Being Rajesh Khanna' by Gautam Chintamani, Khanna's co-star Sharmila Tagore penned in the foreword, "Rajesh is remembered primarily as a romantic actor. He had a vulnerable, lost air about him that made women of all ages feel very protective. I remember ... long queues of women from nine to 90 outside the studios where we worked. Some garlanded his car, some married his photograph, and others sent letters in blood. The hysteria was unprecedented."

Along with his handsome looks and nifty acting prowess, Rajesh Khanna still holds a special place in our hearts for his iconic dialogues in his films; some of which were major life lessons. On his 76th birth anniversary today, we look back at some of his famous lines-

Anand

"Babumushoi, zindagi badi honi chahiye...lambi nahin."

Amar Prem

"Maine tumse kitni baar kahan hain ki, Pushpa mujhse yeh aanshu dekhe nahin jaate. I hate tears."

Anand

"Babumushoi, zindagi aur maut upar waale ke haath hai ... usse na toh aap badal sakte hai na main ... hum sab to rangmanch ki kathputliyan hai jinki dor upar waale ki ungliyon mein bandhi hai."

Namak Haraam

"Jahan yaar nahi wahan pyaar nahi ... jahan pyar nahi wahan yaar nahi."

Aaradhna

"Ek chota sa zakhm bahut gehra daag ban sakta hai... aur ek choti si mulaqat jeevan bhar ka saath ban sakti hain."

Daag: A Poem Of Love

"Aap, aap kya jaane mujhko samajte hai kya?
Main to kuch bhi nahi.

Is kadr pyar itni badi bheed ka main rakhunga kahan?
is kadr pyar rakhne ke kaabil nahin

Mera dil meri jaan
mujhko itni mohabbat na do doston
mujhko itni mohabbat na do doston
Soch lo doston
is qadr pyar kaise sambhalunga main
Main to kuch bhi nahin

Pyar .. Pyar ik shaks ka bhi agar mil sake to badi cheez hai zindagi ke liye
Aadmi ko magar ye bhi milta nahi ye bhi milta nahi.

Mujhko itni mohabbat mili aapse .. Mujhko itni mohabbat mili aapse .. ye mera hak nahi meri takdeer hai
main zamaane ki nazron main kuch bhi na tha .. main zamaane ki nazron main kuch bhi na tha
meri aankhon main ab tak woh tasveer hai.

Is mohabbat ke badle, main kya nazar doon
Main to kuch bhi nahi.

Izzatain shohratain chahatain ulfatain
koi bhi cheez duniya main rahti nahi
aaj main hoon jahan kal koi aur tha .. aaj main hoon jahan kal koi aur tha
Ye bhi ek daur hai woh bhi ek daur tha

Aaj itni mohabbat na do doston .. Aaj itni mohabbat na do doston
ki mere kal ki khatir na kuch bhi rahe
Aaj ka pyar thoda bacha kar rakho .. Aaj ka pyar thoda bacha kar rakho
mere kal ke liye
Kal - kal jo gumnaam hai .. kal jo sunsaan hai .. kal jo anjaan hai ..kal jo veeran hai

Main to kuch bhi nahi hoon .. Main to kuch bhi nahi."