Rajesh Khanna and Sharmila Tagore were one of the most iconic on-screen couples in the history of Hindi cinema. Their pairing delivered some of Bollywood’s biggest hits and created unforgettable movie moments that still live on in the hearts of fans. Known for their intense chemistry and emotional performances, the duo left a lasting mark on Indian film history.
Rajesh Khanna, also known as “Kaka,” was the first superstar of Bollywood. His fame went far beyond the screen. During his peak, he had a fan following that was hard to match. Women fans, in particular, adored him to extreme levels. Some wrote him letters in blood, others married his photographs, and many would go into a frenzy whenever he made public appearances. His stardom brought with it a lot of pressure—not just as an actor, but as a public figure.
Sharmila Tagore, known for her elegance and strong acting, was often cast opposite Rajesh Khanna. Together, they starred in several popular movies such as Aradhana, Amar Prem, Daag, Safar, and Rajnigandha (although Rajnigandha is often misattributed to this pair, the actual film starred Amol Palekar and Vidya Sinha). These films were not only box office hits but also became known for their emotional dialogues and timeless music.
However, while the audience loved their on-screen pairing, things were different behind the scenes. In the audiobook Rajesh Khanna: Ek Tanha Sitara, released on Audible on the 10th anniversary of the actor’s death in 2022, Sharmila Tagore opened up about her experience working with him.
Tagore revealed that while she was always punctual and liked to keep her shooting schedules tight so she could return home to her family, working with Rajesh Khanna made that difficult. She said, “Kaka never arrived before 12 for a 9 a.m. shift. And we could never finish on time. As a result, the entire unit would pressurize me to work overtime and complete the schedule. This became the norm, and since I had many films with Kaka, I found myself in a quandary.”
This situation led to stress for Sharmila, who began choosing films with other co-stars. Both she and Rajesh Khanna eventually agreed that appearing in too many films together might make their pairing feel repetitive. Sharmila explained, “One runs the risk of becoming stale. Whatever it was, we found ourselves working together in fewer films. And I must confess it was a huge relief.”
Rajesh Khanna passed away in 2012. In the later years of his career, many of his films did not do well at the box office. Yet his legacy as a Bollywood legend and a true superstar remains intact.
On the other hand, Sharmila Tagore has continued to stay relevant even decades later. She returned to the screen with her film Gulmohar in 2023, showing that her talent and grace continue to captivate audiences.
Their partnership may have had its challenges, but the legacy of Rajesh Khanna and Sharmila Tagore’s films continues to shine brightly in the history of Indian cinema.
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