Asha Parekh reveals origin of Rajesh Khanna's iconic 'Babu Moshai' on Indian Idol
Synopsis
Asha Parekh has finally explained where Rajesh Khanna's legendary 'Babu Moshai' came from — and the answer traces back to Raj Kapoor's nickname for director Hrishikesh Mukherjee. A Bengali term of affection quietly passed between cinema giants became the catchphrase of Bollywood's first superstar.
Key Takeaways
Asha Parekh revealed the origin of Rajesh Khanna 's iconic phrase 'Babu Moshai' on the reality show Indian Idol .
Raj Kapoor originally used 'Babu Moshay' as an affectionate address for director Hrishikesh Mukherjee .
Hrishikesh Mukherjee subsequently gave the nickname to Rajesh Khanna , who made it famous.
The phrase became immortalised through the 1971 film 'Anand' , which also starred Amitabh Bachchan . 'Anand' remains one of Hindi cinema's most celebrated films more than five decades after its release.
Veteran actress Asha Parekh appeared on a special episode of the music reality show Indian Idol and revealed the little-known backstory behind Rajesh Khanna's beloved catchphrase 'Babu Moshai' — a term that became synonymous with Bollywood's first superstar. The revelation came after contestant Diwakar Chobey performed Khanna's classic song 'Kahin Door Jab Din Dhal Jaye'.
The Bengali Connection
Parekh traced the phrase back to a personal habit of legendary filmmaker Raj Kapoor, who reportedly used to address director Hrishikesh Mukherjee affectionately as 'Babu Moshay' — a warm Bengali term of address. According to Parekh, it was Mukherjee himself who then passed the nickname on to Rajesh Khanna.
'Raj Kapoor Ji used to call Hrishikesh Mukherjee 'Babu Moshay',' Parekh said. 'That is why Hrishikesh Mukherjee gave the term 'Babu Moshai' to Rajesh Khanna Ji.'
How 'Anand' Made It Immortal
The phrase achieved cultural immortality through the 1971 film 'Anand', directed by Hrishikesh Mukherjee, in which Rajesh Khanna played the lead role alongside Amitabh Bachchan in a pivotal supporting part. The film's emotional depth and Khanna's repeated use of 'Babu Moshai' turned the phrase into one of Hindi cinema's most enduring expressions. More than five decades after its release, 'Anand' is still widely regarded as one of the most iconic and emotionally resonant films in Indian cinema.
Parekh also recalled the electrifying effect the phrase had on audiences at the time. 'And whenever he would say 'Babu Moshai,' all the girls would go crazy for him,' she said.
Rajesh Khanna: Bollywood's First Superstar
Rajesh Khanna is widely credited as the first superstar of Bollywood, a status he earned through an unbroken string of blockbusters in the late 1960s and early 1970s. His filmography includes landmark titles such as 'Aradhana', 'Haathi Mera Saathi', and 'Amar Prem', each cementing his status as the defining male star of his era.
Parekh's anecdote adds a rare personal dimension to cinema history, connecting three of Hindi film's most celebrated figures — Raj Kapoor, Hrishikesh Mukherjee, and Rajesh Khanna — through a single Bengali word that outlasted all of them.
Point of View
But what it quietly underscores is how much of Bollywood's mythology was built on intimate off-screen relationships between its founding figures. That a single term of address passed from Raj Kapoor to Hrishikesh Mukherjee to Rajesh Khanna — and then to millions of fans through a film — speaks to the close-knit world that shaped Hindi cinema's golden age. These oral histories, surfacing decades later on reality television, are increasingly the only record of how that culture actually functioned. The industry would do well to archive them more systematically before the generation that lived them is gone.
NationPress
18 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the origin of Rajesh Khanna's famous 'Babu Moshai' catchphrase?
According to actress Asha Parekh, 'Babu Moshay' was originally used by Raj Kapoor as an affectionate Bengali term of address for director Hrishikesh Mukherjee. Mukherjee then gave the nickname to Rajesh Khanna, who popularised it through the 1971 film 'Anand'.
Where did Asha Parekh reveal this story?
Asha Parekh shared the anecdote on a special episode of the music reality show Indian Idol, following a performance of Rajesh Khanna's song 'Kahin Door Jab Din Dhal Jaye' by contestant Diwakar Chobey.
Which film made 'Babu Moshai' iconic?
The phrase became a cultural landmark through the 1971 Hindi film 'Anand', directed by Hrishikesh Mukherjee and starring Rajesh Khanna in the lead role with Amitabh Bachchan in a key supporting part. The film is still considered one of the most emotionally resonant in Indian cinema.
Why is Rajesh Khanna significant in Bollywood history?
Rajesh Khanna is widely regarded as Bollywood's first superstar, having delivered an extraordinary run of blockbusters in the late 1960s and early 1970s including 'Aradhana', 'Haathi Mera Saathi', and 'Amar Prem'.
What does 'Babu Moshay' mean?
'Babu Moshay' is a Bengali term used as a warm, respectful form of address, roughly equivalent to 'dear sir' or 'dear friend'. It was adopted informally within Bollywood's inner circle before Rajesh Khanna made it famous on screen.
