Thousands of mourners gathered in Mumbai outside Bollywood superstar Rajesh Khanna's residence, to the death of the beloved actor, known to many as Kaka, and considered as the industry's first superstar. A number of Bollywood superstars including Amitabh Bachchan and Rani Mukherjee were among the many famous people attended the funeral.
Amitabh Bachan who was with the actors family at the time of his death tweeted, "As I sat at his home this (yesterday) afternoon, to pay my respects, soon after learning of his passing away, a close functionary of his, came up to me and told me in a choked voice what his last words were - 'time ho gaya hai ! Pack Up!"
News of the actor's illness made headlines a few weeks ago and Wednesday the 69-year-old was declared dead. The actor is often referred to as Bollywood's first romantic hero with a unique charm, incredible good looks, inimitable dance moves and a style of romance that wooed women across the nation.
Hailed as the nation's heartthrob in the 1960s and 70s, Khanna made over 120 films and is best noted for movies like "Amar Prem", "Safar","Aradhana", "Afhari Khat", and "Anand" among other movies. Songs such as "mere sapanon ki rani" and "Jai Jai Shiv Shanker" has immortalized the actor in the minds and hearts of generations to come. The actor was a maverick; he revolutionized Indian romance with his mischievous charm, sensuality and his upfront display of melancholy.
The whole of Bollywood was quick to express devastation through social media and other forms of outlets. Mega superstar Sharukh Khan tweeted, "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."
Other famous Bollywood figures Madhuri Dixit, Saira Banu, Shahid Kapoor, Vahida Rehman, Javed Akhtar et al have inundated the internet and traditional news media with their condolences. Not just Bollywood, but the Indian Prime Minister and Congress leader Sonia Gandhi also released statements mouring the actor's demise.The grief is also felt across Indian borders in Pakistan, the country's Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf stated Khanna's passing, " a great actor whose contribution to the field of films and arts would be long remembered," as reported by the Times of India.
Kaka was married to actress Dimple Kapadia, who also enjoys the status of a mega star, of his three daughters Twinkle Khanna and Rinkie Khanna have both dappled in films with little success. His son-in-law, husband of Twinkle, is a current super star known for his over the top comedy and serious action moves.
