Chapter 22: Female Co-Stars

In his 42 years long career graph Rajesh Khanna has worked with all the topmost heroines of Bollywood and South film industry. The first movie for which he was signed was with Babita in Raaz which was her debut movie. However, Rajesh Khanna’s first release was with Indrani Mukherji in Aakhri Khat. The next release of Rajesh Khanna and Babita was Doli.

Being a King of romance, his onscreen pair with all the leading ladies of his movies looked appealing. Amongst the lot, Rajesh Khanna’s pair with 5 heroine’s Sharmila Tagore, Mumtaz, Hema Malini, Tina Munim and Shabana Azmi became very successful and people loved to watch them again and again on screen, especially Mumtaz, Sharmila Tagore and Hema Malini. The only two famous heroines of Hindi cinema with whom Rajesh Khanna wasn’t seen in any movie were Vyjanthiimala and Saira Banu. Though with Saira Banu, Rajesh Khanna was offered Chhoti Bahu, but somehow things didn’t worked out Sharmila Tagore did Chhoti Bahu.

To begin with Asha Parekh who initially appeared with Rajesh Khanna in Baharon Ke Sapne which was a flop, but the songs of the movie were big hits like ‘Aaja piya’ and ‘Chunari Sambhal Gori’. When Rajesh Khanna had signed Baharon Ke Sapne, Asha Parekh was a very big star and was charging 3 lakhs and when she knew a new artist is her hero she refused to work, but after lot of explanation by films director Nasir Hussain she agreed to work with Kaka.

After 4 years, their next release was a super hit Kati Patang and by that time Rajesh Khanna had already become a superstar. After Kati Patang, Rajesh Khanna and Asha Parekh worked together in Aan Milo Sajna which too was a super success. Then years later both were once again seen in Dharam aur Kanoon which was an above average.

The other heroines who were seen seldom with Rajesh Khanna were Nanda in The Train and Joroo Ka Ghulam.

Tanuja was co-star in Haathi Mere Saathi, Mere Jeevan Saathi, Humshakal, Bandish, Mohabbat Ki Kasam, Adhikaar, Nasihat and Anokha Rishta.

Waheeda Rehman in Khamoshi Maqsad, Dharam Kanta and Baye Haath Ka Khel (unreleased).

Mala Sinha worked with him in Maryada and Babu.

Sadhana had only one release Dil Daulat Duniya.

Rakhee was opposite Kaka in Shehzada, Daag: A Poem of Love, Aanchal, Majnoon (shelved) and Waapsi (unreleased).

Moushami Chatterji had couple of release with Kaka and their first film together was Anurag, and subsequent releases were Humshakal, Bhola Bhala, Prem Bandhan, Aa Ab Laut Chale and Ghar Pariwar.

Rajesh Khanna-Rekha had also many releases like Namak Haram, Aanchal, Prem Bandhan, Asha Jyoti, Bhola Bhala, Muqabla (sp. in qawaali), Palko Ki Chaon Mein (sp), Agar Tum Na Hote and Waapsi (unreleased).

Zeenat Aman and Rajesh Khanna pair also looked ravishing especially in films Ajanabee, Chhaila Babu and Aashiq Hoon Baharon Ka. The other movie comprised Ashanti, Jaanwar and Jaana…Lets Fall in Love.

Sulakhshana Pandit had three releases with Rajesh Khanna Goraa, Bundalbaaz and Dharam Kanta (opp. Jeetendra).

It was surprising that Rajesh Khanna had just two releases with Parveen Babi which were Ashanti in which Kawaljeet was opposite her and Chalta Purza. Though they were suppose to do movie called Chamatkar but it was shelved.

Rajesh Khanna and Leena Chandawarkar were seen in Mehboob Ki Mehndi and Mamta Ki Chhaon Mein.

As one knows Sharmila Tagore pair was immensely successful and loved. Aradhana became a blockbuster which made Rajesh Khanna instantly a superstar. The other ones were Chhoti Bahu, Maalik, Amar Prem, Safar, Tyaag, Daag: A Poem of Love, Aavishkar, Raja Rani, Badnaam Farishte and Naseeb both in (sp).

Mumtaz was also a lucky mascot for Kaka right from the release of Bandhan, followed by Do Raaste, Bandhan, Dushman, Apna Desh, Sachaa Jhutha, Aap Ki Kasam, Roti, Prem Kahani and Aaina.

Dreamgirl Hema Malini was regularly seen on screen with Dharmendra, Dev Anand, Jeetendra and Shashi Kapoor, but one might be surprised that she has worked in 16 movies with Rajesh Khanna. The first in the list was a super-hit Andaz and ensuing releases were Mehbooba, Prem Nagar, Bandish, Palko Ki Chhaon Mein, Rajput, Kudrat, Janta Hawaldar, Tinku, Dard, Babu, Hum Dono, Vijay, Sitapur Ki Geeta, Paap Ka Ant and Durgaa.

Neetu Singh and Rajesh Khanna had three releases Maha Chor, Chakravuha and Sawaa Lakh Se Ek Ladaun (regional) in which both were in guest appearance.

Reena Roy was a fan of Rajesh Khanna since her college days. Both appeared in films Asha Jyoti, Dharam Kanta, Dhanwan, Muqabla (sp.) Dushman Dost (unreleased) and Hum Dono.

Shabana Azmi was also a fortunate heroine for Rajesh Khanna when his career was in topsy-turvy state. Their hit list includes Nasihat, Ashanti, Thodisi Bewafaii, Amar Deep, Ashanti and Avtaar. The only films failed were Karm and Aaj Ka M.L.A. Ram Avtaar. In Suraag, Rajesh Khanna was in a special appearance.

Yogita Bali also appeared on screen with Rajesh Khanna in Mehbooba, Jaanwar and Janta Hawaldar.

Rajesh Khanna and Dimple worked in Jai Shiv Shankar, but film wasn’t released due to some reason.

Poonam Dhillon worked with Kaka in Dard, Zamana, Red Rose, Nishan, Awam and Jai Shiv Shankar (unreleased).

Rati Agnihotri was a part of Rajesh Khanna’s Paapi Pet Ka Sawaal Hai, Babu and Jaanleva Black Blood (unreleased).

Anita Raj was with Rajesh Khanna in Masterji and Mohabbat Ki Kasam (sp.)

Padmini Kolhapure appeared on screen with Kaka in Naya Kadam, Bewafaai, (Dushman Dost), Insaaf Mein Karoonga and Souten.

Ranjeeta Kaur’s movies with Rajesh Khanna were Rajput, Zamana and Dard (sp.).

Dipika did Khudai with Rajesh Khanna.

Mandakini was supposed to do Ramsay Brothers Om, but film failed to proceed after some scenes.

Zaheera worked with Rajesh Khanna in Naukri. She was also signed with Rajesh Khanna for Bebus, but that film wasn’t start with Kaka as he was too busy in 1979.

Tina Munim did Suraag (guest app), Paapi Pet Ka Sawaal Hai, Fifty Fifty, Rajput, Souten, Bewafaai, Adhikar, Insaaf Mein Karoonga, Alag Alag, Aakhir Kyon (opp. Rakesh Roshan) Surag (sp.) and Baye Haath Ka Khel (unreleased).

Zarina Wahab was paired opposite Rajesh Khanna in Amrit and Adhikar.

Dipti Naval acted in Rajesh Khanna’s Soutela Bhai.

Smita Patil was a very intense actress like Sharmila Tagore, Shabana Azmi and when these two highly talented actors appeared on screen, naturally, outcome was going to be positive. The combination of Rajesh Khanna and Smita Patil sparkled in movies Anokha Rishta, Awam, Nazrana, Amrit, Dil-E-Nadaan, Angaarey and Aakhir Kyon.

Shridevi list of movies with Kaka were Naya Kadam, Maqsad, Nazrana, Masterji and Main Tera Dushman in which Hanna was in (sp.).

Pakistani actress Salma Agha and Rajesh Khanna had 1 release Oonche log.

Jaya Prada did couple of movies with Rajesh Khanna which was Dharam Aur Kanoon, Paapi Pet Ka Sawaal Hai, Dil-E-Nadan, Naya Kadam, Maqsad and Awaaz.

Bindya Goswami had worked with Rajesh Khanna in Bandish.

Kim’s debut film Phir Wahi Raat was with Rajesh Khanna.

Farida Jalal was the 2^nd leading lady in Aaradhana opposite Rajesh Khanna.

Juhi Chawla was a part of Rajesh Khanna’s Swarg.

Neelam and Rajesh Khanna were seen in Ghar Ka Chiraag.

Sabiha did Anokha Rishta with Kaka.

Aishwarya Rai had also single release with Rajesh Khanna which was Aa Ab Laut Chale.

Farha was with Rajesh Khanna in Woh Phir Aayegi, Sautela Bhai and Begunnah.

Meenakshi Sheshadri and Kaka had releases were Vijay, Awara Baap, Bewafaai and Ghar Pariwar.

Madhuri Dixit did Awara Baap and Paap Ka Ant with Kaka.

Amrita Singh and Rajesh Khanna acted in Rupaye Dus Karod.

Sneha Ullal was apart of Rajesh Khanna starrer Kaash Mere Hote.

Madhvi had two releases with Rajesh Khanna Swarg and Khudai.