When you think of Rajesh Khanna a few images come up that are burned in our collective memory. But more than images, these are moods, emotions stung together by his immortal songs.

There’s the promise of a young, heady romance when Rajesh Khanna serenades Sharmila Tagore singing Mere sapno ki rani kab aayegi tu in Aradhana. She’s distracted from the novel that’s in her hand. Can’t get through a single paragraph, forget the book.
Few women in those days could, when Rajesh Khanna was on the screen or in their minds.
No woman of a certain vintage can express in words the emotion when, in Aradhana, he seduces a wet yet sizzling Shar-mila with Roop tera mastana.
As journalist Ashok Malik says, “Frankly, it is the music and lyricism in the songs of Rajesh Khanna’s films. They gave them and his films a resonance and longevity far beyond what that immediate context deserved. Many of those who remember Rajesh Khanna and his films actually remember the songs in those films. To those who listen to Kishore Kumar hits from the 1960s and 1970s on their iPod Shuffles, some songs are evergreen even if the films that encompassed them are barely within the grasp of memory.”
Safar, Anand, Amar Prem, Kati Patang. The play list is endless.
Though there is no denying that Rajesh Khanna was the first ‘romantic’ superstar who generated a unique madness among his fans, especially women, the fact is that his stardom rode on his songs. As journalist Sidharth Bhatia says, “Kaka, as Khanna was called, was personally fond of music. I shared a superstar-journalist relationship with Rajesh Khanna and observed him from close quarters. He was fond of music and he mentioned how he would be involved with R.D. Burman in their music.”
And no on can better express the Rajesh Khanna sentiment that lyricist Yogesh articulated with his song Kahin door jab din dhal jaye. You read this line from this song and you want to sing along, visualising a man in a kurta-pyjama on a beach, holding a bunch of colourful balloons and walking into the horizon. It’s all about life — bitter-sweet.

Rina Dhaka, Designer

I’m a big fan of cinema and Rajesh Khanna. I loved almost all the songs picturised on him. But when it comes to my favourite song, Yeh shaam mastani, madhosh kiye jaaye from Kati Patang is top of the mind. This is one song where he and Asha Parekh, playing a widow, present a perfect love couple out of a Mills & Boon novel. It shows their absolute chemistry amidst the best backdrop of mountains and greenery. The superstar belonged to my mother’s generation, but his superstardom spread across generations. He will surely be missed.

Bubbles Sabharwal, Theatre Artist

My all time favourite Rajesh Khanna song is Zindagi kaisi hai paheli from the movie Anand. It reminds me of him as one of the most iconic actors of those times when movies were meaningful and songs were melodious. Rajesh Khanna had a very distinct style and like Dev Anand, Amitabh Bachchan and other superstars he too had a powerful on-screen charisma.

Anjanna Kuthiala, Painter

I have not just grown up watching Rajesh Khanna and listening to his songs, but for the last 10 years I have known him personally. He only had my paintings in his bungalow Aashirwad in Mumbai. Three-four of his songs are just eternal. The one song that always rings in my head is Chingari koi bhadke… from Amar Prem. Another favourite is Kuch toh log kahenge…. And then Zindagi ka safar from Safar is just the ultimate.

Milkha Singh, Sports Person

I have stopped watching movies. But there was a time, I would visit the movie hall to watch Rajesh Khanna. His song from Safar — Zindagi ka safar hai ye kaisa safar, is by far my favourite. I can’t tell you how emotional I felt listening to it as it reminded me of my tough life.”

Panchhi Jalonvi, Lyricist

It’s really tough to pick a favourite out of all Rajesh Khanna’s songs. All of his songs are full of life and they are so wonderfully presented in his own inimitable style. One of my all-time favourites is Kahin door jab din…from Anand, which sums up the essence of our life. Another song which very beautifully represents Rajesh Khanna’s personality is Zindagi ek safar…such songs will live forever and so will Rajesh Khanna. People found themselves in his songs and his larger than life persona will never fade.