PremiumRajesh Khanna death anniversary: Revisit Babumoshai's finest performances that prove his versatility
Rajesh Khanna asked his fans to live life king size and so, what better way to remember him than watching his films?
Shaheen Irani
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India’s first superstar Rajesh Khanna once said, “Zindagi badi honi chahiye … lambi nahi” and he stood true to his words, for this actor has been a part of films which are passed down and fondly remembered across generations. Often known as Kaka (among many other things), Rajesh Khanna has given the viewers some brilliant performances through his movies. He made them laugh, pulled them in with his characters and left a void when he died, both on and off screen. However, since this ‘Shehzada’ believed that one should live life to the fullest, what better way to remember him than celebrate his movies? So, catch up on these movies on OTT right away to pay your tributes to the legendary actor on his death anniversary…
1
Anand
Now this is one movie which every single Indian knows about. Rajesh Khanna is synonymous with Anand – a film that broke everyone’s heart because of how much love Anand had in his own heart. This film, also starring Amitabh Bachchan, is available on MX Player.
2
Haathi Mere Saathi
Does this one need any introduction? Many people’s love for elephants began after seeing this movie. Even those who are not fond of animals generally (we don’t know how they survive but that’s for another time) will fall in love with the storyline and execution of this film. This movie is available on Jio Cinema, Zee5 and Amazon Prime Video.
3
Bawarchi
You know an actor is versatile when he can pull of an Anand and a Bawarchi and make them his most iconic films. This Hrishikesh Mukherjee directorial is a comedy-drama film that is an all-time entertainer. Apart from being remade in various languages (and being a remake of Tapan Sinha’s Galpo Holeo Satti itself), this movie was also a source of inspiration for Govinda’s Hero No 1. Need we say more? Bawarchi can be streamed on MX Player, Sony LIV, Amazon Prime Video and YouTube.
4
Aradhana
Apart from giving us iconic songs like Roop Tera Mastana or Mere Sapnon Ki Rani, Aradhana was a movie that inspired many to take up acting. Late Tom Alter was among one of those. Another fun fact about the film is that it was not only a blockbuster in India but also Soviet Union, something that very rarely happens today. Currently, the film can be streamed on YouTube and Amazon Prime Video.
5
Namak haraam
When Hrishikesh Mukherjee and Rajesh Khanna collaborate once again, you just know that the magic is going to repeat. Of course, magical it was when the viewers got to see the masterpiece called Namak Haraam. You can also experience this magic on Disney+Hotstar, Amazon Prime Video and YouTube.
6
Kati Patang
Everything about Kati Patang was impressive. From flawless acting to music that makes you sway (Yeh Shaam Mastani, Pyar Deewana Hota Hai among others), Kati Patang is a delightful watch even today. It is fulfilling as a story and for its performances too. This film is also available on Amazon Prime Video and YouTube.
7
Amar Prem
Based on the Bengali film Nishi Padma, Amar Prem won over the viewers even in Hindi cinema. It was the era when songs would convey more than a scene could and thus, Chingari Koi Bhadke became as iconic as the film itself. Amar Prem can be viewed on Amazon Prime Video and YouTube.
8
Avtaar
Rajesh Khanna was giving back-to-back hits in 1973. While he gave many hits even after that, Avtaar remains his biggest in terms of Box Office collection. The movie was both critically and commercially acclaimed and a dialogue from the film also particularly impressed the viewers. That dialogue was, “Bada aadmi toh woh hota hai joh doosron ko chota nahi samajhta.” Avtaar can be streamed on Jio Cinema.
9
Safar
Asit Sen remade his Bengali film Chalachal into Hindi as Safar. The film was acclaimed and still remains so. Safar is among the 17 consecutive hits that The Original King Of Romance gave between 1969 and 1971. This movie is available on Zee5.
10
Ittefaq
A special mention goes to Ittefaq which was iconic on its own. The movie was the first Hindi film without any interval. It also did not have any songs in it and despite all of that, Ittefaq managed to remain intriguing. The movie was a semi-hit but is considered as one of Rajesh Khanna’s iconic films and performances till date. The film can be viewed on Amazon Prime Video.
