Mumbai/Delhi, Jul 18: Bollywood stars today mourned the passing away of the first superstar of the industry Rajesh Khanna.
"He was a superstar, he will remain a superstar for ever", said Raj Babbar, actor-turned-politician.
Raj Babbar said, Rajesh Khanna was a great man, a great actor. He was snatched by the cruel hands of fate from us. His acting shall continue to inspire future generations, he added.
Singer Alka Yagnik told India TV: "I was a crazy fan of Rajesh Khanna since childhood. He was, in fact, my first crush, my first infatuation. I never missed any of his films, rather I saw them several times. His name was synonymous with romance."
Veteran actor Om Puri told India TV: "He was the greatest superstar of his time. In a short time, he touched the zenith, and the intensity of his acting was strong. I am said, he went away too early."
Actor Dia Mirza tweeted: "Babumoshai eto bhato bhasha bhalo na..." (Babu Moshai, so much love is not good)..what a legacy you've left behind. RIP Rajesh Khannaji.
Veteran actress Saira Bano, who missed a chance of working with Khanna during his stardom days, remembers the actor as a very “shy” person.
“I was supposed to work with him in ‘Choti Bahu' but I could not because I was ill. I shot with him for two days and found that he was very charming, humble and a shy person. May his soul rest in peace,” Saira Bano said.
His contemporary Manoj Kumar said he was planning to meet Khanna.
“I had called Dimple but she told me not to come as Rajesh Khanna was not in a position to talk...I miss him a lot and I have shared some of the best memories with him,” Kumar said.
Filmmaker Subhash Ghai said, “He was the powerhouse of Hindi film industry. I met him on the sets of aaradhna, he had some kind of energy and you will be charged when he is around you. His name will be written in golden words.” Producer-director Karan Johar said Khanna's magic will live forever.
“The magic...the mannerism...the mania of Rajesh Khanna is inscribed in every archive of indian inema...forever....RIP SIR!!!,” said Karan Johar.
Filmmaker Madhur Bhandarkar said, “The epitome of superstardom is no more amongst us. There was none, there is none and there won't be any like you kakaji. You will be missed.”
Tusshar Kapoor tweeted, “Rajesh Khanna ji, our 1st superstar is no more! I worked with him in ‘Kyaa dil ne kaha & learnt a lot just talking to him! May his soul RIP!.” Actress Neha Dhupia said, “RIP Rajesh khanna Saab ... U , ur stardom, ur magic will live forever!.”
Superstar Shah Rukh Khan said Rajesh Khanna's smile will be missed forever.
“To live with intention and walk to the edge. Play with abandon, choose with no regret. Smile and made us do the same. Sir, you defined our era. Whenever life felt tough u made us feel how love could change it all. RIP,” SRK tweeted.
Mumtaz, who acted in 10 films with Khanna, including memorable ones such as ‘Ap Ki Kasam', ‘Roti', ‘Apna Desh' and ‘Sachcha Jhootha' said she had lots of memories of working with Rajesh Khanna. ‘Zindagi ke safar mein guzar jaate hain' and the peppy ‘Jai Jai Shiv Shankar' were two perennial hits from ‘Aap ki Kasam.'
“RIP to the 1st king of romance... Rajesh Khanna,” Shahid Kapoor posted on the micro-blogging site.
Filmmaker Subhash Ghai said, “He was the powerhouse of Hindi film industry. I met him on the sets of aaradhna, he had some kind of energy and you will be charged when he is around you. His name will be written in golden words.”
“Another of Hindi cinema's giants passes, Rajesh Khanna. Our sincere condolences to his family. We will miss him dearly,” Madhuri Dixit tweeted.
Veteran actress Vyjayanthimala said, “His death is a big loss to the industry. It's my bad luck that I didn't have the chance to work with him because he came much later. I remember when he came to Chennai for some film shoot the college girls went crazy to catch a glimpse of him when he was going to his studio.”
“It is a great loss. It is passing of an era. I think no one has been able to take his place. His love and contribution will always be remembered. He was very professional,” said Hema Malini, who was Khanna's heroine in films like ‘Prem Nagar', ‘Andaz' and ‘Mehbooba'
Shabana Azmi, who starred opposite Khanna in films such as “Amar Deep”, “Thodisi Bewafaii” and “Avtaar”, said, “He was the superstar like no other, did 10 films with him. Met him last at Apsara awards. Pale shadow of himself but smile as winsome RIP RajeshK.”
dia mirza
"Babumoshai eto bhalo bhasha bhalo na..."Anand, Kati Patang, Bawarchi and many more... What a legacy you've left behind. RIP Rajesh Khannaji
arshad warsi
RIP KAKA.... God bless n have mercy on his soul....
shreyas talpade
My first film that I saw on a vcr was 'Aaradhana'.Zindagi kaisi hai paheli haaye..kabhi ye hasaye kabhi ye rulaye. RIP our very dear 'ANAND'
Farah Khan
Just hrd the saddest news.the 1st Superstar of india is no more.bt the legend that was Rajesh khanna will live eternally thru his films.
Kailash Kher
Superstar of our fathers generation is gone from this world, he was beyond ths word called(Actor) true Icon World will miss forever, prayer
Madhur Bhandarkar
The epitome of superstardom is no more amongst us. There was none, there is none & there won't be any like you kakaji. You will be missed.
Rahul Bose
RIP Rajesh Khanna. The Phenomenon. Thank you for the magic.
Shobhaa De
India's only real Superstar is no more. Rajesh Khanna was and remains 'The Phenomenon'.
Mika Singh
RIP Rajesh Khanna! He will be missed! A great punjabi actor has passed. Kaka, you will be in our hearts!!!
Divya Dutta@divyadutta25
Rip rajesh khanna! t very endearing superstar of indian cinema who brought romance a new meaning on screen!ull b terribly missed kaka ji
