Rajesh Khanna’s rise to stardom in 1969 and till 1972 was the biggest star of Indian cinema and is rightly term as the country’s first superstar. His stardom was short-live and soon, his career went downhill.
This was also the time his Anand co-star Amitabh Bachchan’s star was on the rise.
Legendary villain of Indian cinema, Prem Chopra has open up about Rajesh Khanna’s stardom and what led to his downfall.
He also compare Rajesh Khanna to Amitabh Bachchan revealing why Big B manage to stay at the top even after decades.
Talking about the two, Prem Chopra Said :
“Amitabh Bachchan was always an intelligent and punctual actor. Rajesh Khanna was also a great actor, but he got this habit of reaching late all the time. Not everyone would take it when he land late on sets. Hours after everyone reach and got ready, he would reach the sets. The producers would even ask him to have lunch before the shot, but he made sure he complete the day’s work.”
When ask about Rajesh Khanna’s reluctance on taking up roles that require him to play a character rather than a star, Prem Chopra said :
“He continue the same style (as the time when he was a superstar) and those films did not work either. That is why he had to (suffer a downfall in his fame). He could not face that thing, where I was and where I am now.”
While in comparison of both he said :
“Amitabh Bachchan had this thing, he took up character roles and what great character roles did he get, I am sure Rajesh Khanna would have also gotten great character roles if he chose to take them up. Amitabh remains so busy even now, I am surprise he is much more busy than he was at a younger age.”
Prem Chopra work with Rajesh Khanna in many classics like Do Raaste, Kati Patang, Daag, Prem Nagar, Ajanabee and Mehbooba among many others.
And Prem Chopra work with Amitabh Bachchan in films like Naseeb, Dostana, Ram Balram, Mard and Shahenshah among many others.
