KAKA

Rajesh Khanna

Born Jatin Khanna on 29 December 1942


Khanna was born in Amritsar on 29 December 1942. He was raised by foster parents (relatives of his biological parents) who were childless.
Rajesh Khanna was one of eight finalists in the 1965 All India Talent Contest organised by United Producers and Filmfare from more than ten thousand contestants. Subsequently Khanna won the contest.He made his film debut in the 1966 film Aakhri Khat directed by Chetan Anand, followed by Raaz directed by Ravindra Dave both of which were a part of his predetermined prize for winning the All-India United Producers’ Talent Competition.
G.P. Sippy and Nasir Hussain were the first to sign Rajesh Khanna after he won the contest. Khanna in an interview to Hindu newspaper said,"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".

In the late 1960s and early 1970s, Khanna fell in love with the then fashion designer and actress Anju Mahendru.They were in the relationship for seven years. Mahendru states that the couple did not speak to each other for 17 years after the break up.Later Khanna married Dimple Kapadia in 1973 and has two daughters from the marriage.

Awards

Filmfare Awards

Won
1971 – Filmfare Award for Best Actor for Sachaa Jhutha
1972 – Filmfare Best Actor Award for Anand
1973 – Filmfare Special Guest Actor Award for [Anurag]
1974 – Filmfare Best Actor Award for Avishkaar
1990 – Filmfare Special Award for completing 25 years in the Indian Film Industry
2005 – Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award (Golden Jubilee function)

Nominated

1970 – Filmfare Best Actor Award for Aradhana
1970 – Filmfare Best Actor Award for Ittefaq
1972 – Filmfare Best Actor Award for Kati Patang
1973 – Filmfare Best Actor Award for Dushman (1972)
1973 – Filmfare Best Actor Award for Amar Prem
1974 – Filmfare Best Actor Award for Daag: A Poem of Love
1975 – Filmfare Best Actor Award for Prem Nagar
1980 – Filmfare Best Actor Award for Amardeep
1981 – Filmfare Best Actor Award for Thodisi Bewafaii
1982 – Filmfare Best Actor Award for Dard
1984 – Filmfare Best Actor Award for Avtaar

Bengal Film Journalists' Association Awards

1972 – Winner BFJA Awards, Best Actor for Anand
1973 – Winner BFJA Awards, Best Actor for Bawarchi

1974 – Winner BFJA Awards, Best Actor for Namak Haraam
1987 – Winner BFJA Awards, Best Actor for Amrit
Pride of the Film Industry Award
2005 Rajesh Khanna was awarded the `Pride of Film Industry Award'

Dada Saheb Phalke Academy Award
2008 Phalke Legendary Golden Actor Award at Mumbai on the occasion of Dada Saheb Phalke Birth day celebration.
IIFA Award
2009 Lifetime Achievement Award for Super Star Rajesh Khanna in Macau, China

Tamil Cine World Award
2009 All India Film Workers Association Life Time Achievement Award

International Pune Film Festival Award
2010 Life Time Achievement Award

Bollywood Awards

2004 Lifetime of Glamour award at the Kingfisher Bollywood Fashion Awards
2004 Lifetime Achievement Award at the Bollywood Awards held in US
Sansui Film Awards
2001 Lifetime Achievement Awards at the Third Sansui Film Awards held at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium

All India Critics Association Award1985 All-India Critics Association (AICA) Best Actor Award in 1985 at Calcutta for Aaj Ka M.L.A. Ram Avtar

Other Awards
1982 – Winner Lions Club, New Delhi– Best Actor Award for Dard
1994 – Winner Russian Film Festival, Ujvegistan- Best Actor for Khudai
2003 Maharashtra State Government's Raj Kapoor Awards presented on April 30, 2003
2006 Yugantar Gaurav Puraskar 2006 awarded by Chandibai Himmatmal Mansukhani (CHM) College as part of the Gaurav Diwas celebrations on 4 February 2006
2006 Award for Outstanding contribution to Indian cinema at the 2006 Bollywood Movie Awards held on June 10, at the Centre of Excellence, Macoya
Khanna was a recipient of the Glory of India Award by IIFS, London
Khanna was awarded Mother Teresa Award
Kala Ratna Awards
1995 – Winner Kala Ratna Award

In 1995 Rajesh Khanna was honoured with the Kala Ratna Award by Punjabi Kala Sangam at Delhi by the then Human Resource Development Minister Arjun Singh.

Akshay Kumar was a fan of Khanna since his childhood and later when he became Khanna's son-in-law, he told "Look at what destiny had in store for me.