Dev Anand was my inspiration: Rajesh Khanna

Hindustan Times
New Delhi, December 09, 2011

The 50s was the era of black and white classics, and the ruling stars included Dilip Kumar, the thespian, Raj Kapoor, the serio comedian and Dev Anand, the eternal romantic. Each had his own distinct style and fan following. I was an ardent admirer of Dev Anand from my teens.

I clearly remember watching and loving him in Funtoosh, Baarish, Kala Pani and Love Marriage. He had the best looks and smile of his era and his puff was legion.

There was no better romantic actor than him. With his unique style and fluidity, he matched every top female actor — from Geeta Bali to Madhubala to Nutan to Waheeda Rehman. He had the rare ability to lip songs effectively for any singer be it Mohd. Rafi, Talat Mehmood, Hemant Kumar, Kishore Kumar or even Manna De.

According to me, the abundance and versatility he displayed whilst lipping the number, Dene Wala Jab Bhi Deta, in Funtoosh remains a lesson in acting.

Unlike Akshay Kumar, his father-in-law left an indelible impression as an Air Force officer in the 1969 Shakti Samanta movie.

If in Andaaz, Kumar Sanu-voiced numbers became an emblem of mediocrity in music, Aradhana's Mere Sapno Ki Rani turned out to be a signature Rajesh Khanna tune of the late 1960s and early 1970s.

In a famous double role, Khanna flies high. Literally. Couldn't he have given a tip or two to his rather handsome son-in-law?


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Rajesh Khanna gets it from Kamal
The ninth All-India Film Employees Federation Conference began amidst much fanfare in Chennai’s Trade Centre today (October 9th, 2009). The event was marked with the Bollywood actor Rajesh Khanna being awarded the prestigious Lifetime Achievement award. This award was presented by Ulaganayagan Kamal Haasan. Earlier, Rajesh Khanna lit the traditional lamp to mark the beginning of the three-day conference and cultural fest.The Deputy Minister of Information &Broadcasting Jagathrakshakan, director K Balachandar and a host of other technicians and actors were present at the venue during the inaugural ceremony.