At one time, a superstar reigned supreme in Bollywood—an actor who delivered 15 back-to-back hit films during his career, and became the first superstar of Bollywood. Not only that, but producers would line up to sign him for their movies.
Did you know who was the first superstar of Bollywood, even before Shah Rukh Khan and Amitabh Bachchan? True stardom was experienced by that very actor, outside whose home producers would queue up just to secure his dates. Over the course of his career, this actor delivered 15 consecutive superhit films. So, today, let us tell you all about Bollywood’s first superstar.
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Who was the first superstar of Bollywood?
The superstar we are referring to is none other than Rajesh Khanna. Yes, indeed—Rajesh Khanna was the first superstar of Bollywood. He holds the record for delivering 15 back-to-back hit films spanning from the 1960s through the 1970s—a feat that remains unbroken to this day.
Rajesh Khanna’s Bollywood Debut
Rajesh Khanna, often hailed as the first Superstar of Bollywood, was born on December 29, 1942, in Amritsar, Punjab. Throughout his acting career, he delivered a string of blockbuster films, each surpassing the last.
Rajesh Khanna made his Bollywood debut in 1966 with the film Aakhri Khat. Subsequently, in 1969, Shakti Samanta’s film Aradhana turned him into an overnight superstar. He then delivered 15 consecutive superhit films between 1969 and 1971.
He became a superstar by delivering 15 consecutive superhit films
Rajesh’s list of solo hit films includes Aradhana (1969), Doli (1969), Bandhan (1969), Ittefaq (1969), Do Raaste (1969), Khamoshi (1969), Safar (1970), The Train (1970), Kati Patang (1970), Sachcha Jhutha (1970), Aan Milo Sajna (1970), Mehboob Ki Mehndi (1971), Chhoti Bahu (1971), Anand (1971), Haathi Mere Saathi (1971), Maryada (1971), and Andaz (1971).
First superstar of Bollywood, Rajesh Khanna’s Fees
Notably, during his early phase in the 1970s, Rajesh Khanna charged approximately ₹10 lakh per film. During the peak of his superstardom (1974–77), his fees ranged from ₹20 lakh to ₹27 lakh. Subsequently, in the 1980s, his remuneration ranged from ₹50 lakh to ₹70 lakh. Interestingly, he would halve his fee exclusively for Hrishikesh Mukherjee, as the latter was his favourite director.
Rajesh Khanna’s Love Story
In his heyday, Rajesh Khanna reigned over the hearts of every young woman. It is said that to express their love, girls would send him letters written in their own blood. Yet, Rajesh Khanna’s heart beat for only one girl. Rajesh Khanna dated actress Anju Mahendru for seven years, but they eventually broke up in 1972.
Meanwhile, following the breakup, Rajesh Khanna married actress Dimple Kapadia. It is also said that Rajesh deliberately took his wedding procession past Anju’s house. Notably, at the time of their marriage, Rajesh Khanna was 32, while Dimple was 17. Rajesh Khanna and Dimple Kapadia have two daughters, Twinkle Khanna and Rinke Khanna. In the early 1980s, Rajesh Khanna and Dimple Kapadia separated due to a strain in their relationship.
It is worth noting that he breathed his last on July 18, 2012, at his Mumbai bungalow, ‘Aashirwad’. He had been battling cancer for a long time. Notably, Rajesh Khanna was last seen in the film Riyasat.
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