Veteran actress Asha Parekh has recalled that the late superstar Rajesh Khanna was deeply shy and reserved when the two first worked together on the 1967 romantic classic 'Aaja Piya Tohe Pyaar Doon', revealing that it was only his second film at the time. The reminiscence came during an upcoming episode of the music reality show Indian Idol, where Parekh appeared as a guest following contestant Myscee Basu's performance of the timeless song.

The First Day on Set

Parekh shared that when 'Aaja Piya Tohe Pyaar Doon' was being picturised, it was Rajesh Khanna's first day on the film — 'Baharon Ke Sapne' being only his second feature. 'He wasn't very well-known at the time and was quite shy and reserved. Basically, he was an introvert,' she said, recounting the early, unassuming days of a man who would go on to become Bollywood's first superstar.

From Reserved Co-Star to Close Friend

According to Parekh, the two grew considerably closer as they collaborated on more films. She recalled that during the making of 'Kaate Patang' and 'Aj Milo Sajna', the pair were simultaneously shooting both productions — running between sets from 7 am to 2 pm for one film and 2 pm to 10 pm for the other. 'We were constantly running from one set to another and would get exhausted because we were doing this continuously,' she said.

The gruelling schedule, she noted, became the unlikely foundation of a warm friendship. Khanna eventually advised her not to arrive so early, reportedly telling her, 'Asha Ji, why do you come so early? Please come comfortably — I won't arrive before 4 o'clock.' Parekh recalled responding warmly, noting she could use the extra hour to rest.

A Bond Built on Shared Joys and Sorrows

Parekh described the friendship that developed as one of genuine emotional closeness. 'Sometimes he would share his joys and sorrows with me, and I would share mine with him. That's how our friendship grew and lasted,' she said. The account paints a portrait of Rajesh Khanna that contrasts sharply with his later public image as a magnetic, larger-than-life screen presence.

About the Song and the Film

'Aaja Piya Tohe Pyaar Doon' is from the 1967 Hindi film 'Baharon Ke Sapne', directed and produced by Nasir Hussain. The track was sung by Lata Mangeshkar, composed by R.D. Burman, and penned by lyricist Majrooh Sultanpuri. The film, released on 23 June 1967, featured Asha Parekh, Rajesh Khanna, and Premnath in pivotal roles. More than 59 years after its release, the song endures as one of Hindi cinema's most beloved romantic compositions.