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Readers' pick: Rajesh Khanna's 10 Best Dialogues
With his head slightly tilted, nodding on cue, smiling or somber and a voice that felt like a mix of velvet, mint and silver, Rajesh Khanna produced some of the most effective lines of his career.
While some dialogues made a greater impression than others, Khanna's s trademark expression and style enjoyed enormous popularity among viewers. He may no longer be with us but his softly-spoken words continue to linger and enthrall.
We asked you, dear readers, to send in your favourite Rajesh Khanna movie quotes and here are ten of his best-loved dialogues picked by you:
1. Anand
'Babumoshai, zindagi aur maut uparwale ke haath hai jahanpanah. Usse na toh aap badal sakte hain na main. Hum sab toh rangmanch ki kathputhliyan hain jinki dor uparwale ki ungliyon main bandhi hain. Kab, kaun, kaise uthega yeh koi nahi bata sakta hai. Ha, ha, ha.'
The haunting climax of Hrishikesh Mukherjee's Anand is a mix of sadness and realisations. Just when your eyes well up over the demise of the titular protagonist you've come to dearly care for, his 'celebrate life' maxim offers an eloquent reminder in the buoyant sound of Rajesh Khanna.
2. 'Zindagi Badi Honi Chahiye, Lambi Nahi Babu Moshai'
'Zindagi Badi Honi Chahiye, Lambi Nahi Babu Moshai.'
Another gem from Anand wherein Khanna beautifully sums his expectations from life, quality over quantity.
3. 'I hate tears'
'Maine tumse kitni baar kaha hai Pushpa, mujhse yeh aansoo nahi dekhe jaate. I hate tears.'
Most men cannot handle to see a woman cry but few can express their disapproval as tenderly as Khanna did in this immortal line from Amar Prem.
4. 'Maine tera namak khaya hai isliye teri nazron mein namak haram zaroor hoon'
'Maine tera namak khaya hai isliye teri nazron mein namak haram zaroor hoon lekin jisne yeh namak banaya hai uski nazron mein namak haraam nahi hoon, Vicky.'
The fragility of friendship and conflicts is deftly captured in Namak Haram with this powerful exchange between Khanna and Amitabh Bachchan in a crucial scene.
5. 'Main marne se pehle marna nahin chahta'
'Main marne se pehle marna nahin chahta.'
Khanna's Avinash in Safar is suffering from a fatal ailment but wants his friends to move on without pitying him to avoid a fate as pathetic as one's end.
6. 'It's simple to be happy but difficult to be simple'
'It's simple to be happy but difficult to be simple'.
As the go-to-guy with an instant solution and philosophy for any problem, a beatific Khanna spews wisdom with utmost conviction.
7. 'Insaan ko dil de, jism de, dimaage de, lekin yeh kambaqth pet mat de'
'Insaan ko dil de, jism de, dimaage de, lekin yeh kambaqth pet mat de. Jab pet deta hai, toh usse bhook mat de.'
Not many actors can deliver such florid lines concerning with the injustices of social structure the way Khanna did in nearly every frame of Roti.
8. 'Ek chhota sa zakhm bahut gehra daag ban sakta hai...'
'Ek chhota sa zakhm bahut gehra daag ban sakta hai. Aur ek chhoti si mulaqat jeevan bhar ka saath ban sakti hai.'
How to charm a girl in 10 seconds, Khanna style? Watch, listen and learn.
9. 'Seth, jise tum khareedne chale ho, uske chehre par likha hai, not for sale'
'Seth, jise tum khareedne chale ho, uske chehre par likha hai, not for sale.'
Wolf-whistle moments are made of dialogues like this especially when conveyed by a proud, unwavering Rajesh Khanna playing the author-backed Avtaar Kishen in Mohan Kumar's hard-hitting drama.
10. 'Magar main inhe dobara swarg mein jagah nahi doonga'
'Inhe maaf na karne ke badle mein agar bhagwan mujhe narak mein bhi jagah de de toh mujhe is baat ka afsos nahi hoga. Magar main inhe dobara swarg mein jagah nahi doonga.'
Swarg was high on theatrics and melodrama. Trust Khanna to make an impact anyhow, whether he's oozing fatherly love or bitter resentment towards his greedy, self-centered brood.