Superstar was refused meeting with his superstar father-in-law: 'Why should I....'

On screen he was known as the first superstar of Bollywood. Known for several blockbusters such as Amar Prem, Pati Katang, Bawarchi, Aradhana etic Rajesh Khanna's personal life was no less dazzling. Recently, in a chat with Siddharth Kannan, veteran actor Raju Shrestha aka Master Raju shared some anecdotes of the late superstar's starry tantrums.

Recalling a story he had heard about an interaction involving Rajesh Khanna and his son-in-law, Akshay Kumar, Raju described how the late superstar’s attitude reportedly came to the fore during a family visit. Akshay, already a successful actor in his own right, had gone to Khanna’s residence to pay his respects and meet him. At the time, Rajesh Khanna was seated in an upstairs room when he was informed that Akshay had arrived.

Instead of heading downstairs to greet his guest, Khanna reportedly reacted with visible firmness, making it clear that he expected Akshay to approach him instead. His response reflected a strict belief in seniority and status, emphasizing his position as the elder and the father-in-law. According to Raju, Khanna felt there was no reason for him to make the first move, as he believed respect should flow upward, not the other way around.

Memories From the Bawarchi Sets

While reminiscing about his experiences in the Rajesh Khanna-led Bawarchi, which also featured Jaya Bachchan, Raju Shrestha reflected on an incident that momentarily disrupted filming. In his conversation with Siddharth Kannan, Raju explained that the disagreement was intense enough to bring the shoot to a temporary standstill. Given how many decades have passed, he admitted that only fragments of the incident remain clear in his memory. However, what stood out was that the clash revolved around Amitabh Bachchan.

At the time, Jaya shared a cordial bond with Amitabh, while he was also closely associated with Rishi Kapoor, with whom he was collaborating professionally. Rajesh Khanna, on the other hand, was dealing with personal insecurities that were beginning to surface on set.

Clash of Stardom and Rising Competition

Raju further revealed that Rajesh Khanna was deeply unsettled by the rapid ascent of Amitabh Bachchan. As the reigning icon of Hindi cinema, Khanna was accustomed to unrivaled admiration and dominance. The idea of another actor rising swiftly and threatening his unmatched position did not sit well with him. Amitabh’s growing screen presence and powerful performances were already making waves, signaling a shift in audience loyalty.

During this period of unease, Khanna reportedly made a remark about Amitabh that Jaya found inappropriate and unacceptable. Her strong reaction to the comment led to a confrontation, which escalated enough to halt the day’s work on the film.

A Turning Point in Bollywood History

Soon after, the release of Zanjeer in 1973 marked a dramatic transformation in Hindi cinema. Amitabh Bachchan’s emergence as the angry young man resonated deeply with audiences. Blockbusters such as Sholay, Deewar, and Namak Haraam firmly established him as the new face of superstardom, gradually eclipsing Rajesh Khanna’s reign. That on-set disagreement, in hindsight, reflected a larger transition underway in Bollywood’s power structure.