Rajesh Khanna 14th death anniversary: Jackie Shroff's heartfelt tribute
Synopsis
Fourteen years after his passing, Rajesh Khanna's hold on Bollywood memory remains undiminished. Jackie Shroff's tribute — pairing a classic portrait with Manna Dey's 'Zindagi Kaisi Hai Paheli' — is a reminder that India's first superstar set a template for stardom that still defines the era.
Key Takeaways
Jackie Shroff posted a tribute to Rajesh Khanna on his 14th death anniversary , 18 July .
The post featured a classic portrait of Khanna alongside Manna Dey's song 'Zindagi Kaisi Hai Paheli' from the 1971 film 'Anand' .
Rajesh Khanna, born Jatin Khanna on 29 December 1942 , is widely recognised as Hindi cinema's first superstar.
His acclaimed filmography includes 'Aradhana' , 'Anand' , 'Kati Patang' , and 'Namak Haraam' , among others.
He passed away on 18 July 2012 at the age of 69 , reportedly after battling cancer and related health complications.
Bollywood actor Jackie Shroff paid a moving tribute to Hindi cinema's first superstar Rajesh Khanna on his 14th death anniversary on 18 July, sharing a nostalgic post on social media that resonated with fans across generations.
The Tribute Post
Shroff took to his social media account to share a classic portrait of Rajesh Khanna, accompanied by Manna Dey's timeless composition 'Zindagi Kaisi Hai Paheli' — the soulful track from Hrishikesh Mukherjee's 1971 masterpiece 'Anand', widely regarded as one of Khanna's most iconic films. The post carried the message, 'Remembering Rajesh Khanna Ji on his death anniversary,' to which Shroff added his own note: 'Always in our hearts,' followed by a red heart emoticon.
The Legend Behind the Legacy
Born Jatin Khanna on 29 December 1942, Rajesh Khanna was raised in Mumbai by his relatives, Chunnilal Khanna and Leelawati Khanna, after being adopted by them. He went on to become Bollywood's first phenomenon-scale superstar, a status no actor had commanded before him in Hindi cinema.
His filmography reads like a definitive catalogue of golden-era Hindi cinema — 'Aradhana', 'Anand', 'Kati Patang', 'Amar Prem', 'Haathi Mere Saathi', 'Safar', 'Bawarchi', 'Daag', 'Namak Haraam', and 'Aap Ki Kasam', among many others. He also gave Indian cinema some of its most enduring songs, including 'Mere Sapno Ki Rani', 'Roop Tera Mastana', 'Yeh Shaam Mastani', 'Chingari Koi Bhadke', and 'Zindagi Ek Safar Hai Suhana'.
Personal Life
On the personal front, Rajesh Khanna married actress Dimple Kapadia in 1973. The couple have two daughters, Twinkle Khanna and Rinke Khanna. Prior to his marriage, Khanna was reportedly in a high-profile relationship with actress Anju Mahendru.
His Passing and Enduring Impact
Rajesh Khanna passed away on 18 July 2012 at the age of 69, after battling prolonged illness. He had reportedly been suffering from cancer and related health complications in the final months of his life. More than a decade on, tributes from colleagues and fans continue to underscore the depth of his cultural imprint on Indian cinema.
Point of View
A film that fused existential weight with mass appeal in a way Hindi cinema has rarely managed since. Fourteen years on, the anniversary tributes from industry peers reflect something deeper than nostalgia: an acknowledgement that the superstar template Khanna established in the late 1960s and early 1970s — intimate yet larger-than-life — has never quite been replicated. The industry's continued remembrance also quietly signals how thin the line is between icon and legend in Bollywood's collective memory.
NationPress
18 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is 18 July significant for Bollywood?
18 July marks the death anniversary of Rajesh Khanna, widely regarded as Hindi cinema's first superstar, who passed away on this date in 2012 at the age of 69. In 2026, it is his 14th death anniversary.
What did Jackie Shroff post for Rajesh Khanna's death anniversary?
Jackie Shroff shared a classic portrait of Rajesh Khanna on social media, accompanied by Manna Dey's song 'Zindagi Kaisi Hai Paheli' from the 1971 film 'Anand'. He wrote 'Always in our hearts' alongside the tribute message.
What is Rajesh Khanna best known for?
Rajesh Khanna is best known as Hindi cinema's first superstar, celebrated for films such as 'Aradhana', 'Anand', 'Kati Patang', and 'Amar Prem', and for immortalising songs like 'Mere Sapno Ki Rani' and 'Zindagi Kaisi Hai Paheli'.
What was Rajesh Khanna's real name and early life?
Rajesh Khanna was born Jatin Khanna on 29 December 1942 and was raised in Mumbai by his relatives Chunnilal Khanna and Leelawati Khanna after being adopted by them.
Who are Rajesh Khanna's family members?
Rajesh Khanna married actress Dimple Kapadia in 1973, and they have two daughters — Twinkle Khanna and Rinke Khanna. Before his marriage, he was reportedly in a relationship with actress Anju Mahendru.
