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Ten MUST-HAVE Rajesh Khanna collectibles
A cinematic memory's beauty lies in its tenacity to last. It could be 100 years old but its gleam will only turn golden with time.
Actors create many such memories through their larger-than-life presence on silver screen and that's what keeps them immortal even after they're gone.
One such luminary is Rajesh Khanna.
The extent of adulation enjoyed by Hindi cinema's original superstar is unheard of but supported by iconic imagery featuring his inimitable style and nifty performances in films like Anand, Aradhana, Safar, Amar Prem, Ittefaq, Sachaa Jhutha, Do Raaste, Khamosh, Aap Ki Kasam, Kati Patang, Bawarchi, Namak Haram, Dushman, Daag and Avatar.
It's one year since he passed away but his on screen impact in movies we care about is everlasting.
On his first death anniversary, we list 10 definitive collectibles from the Rajesh Khanna memorabilia even if it only exists in our imagination.
The tape recorder in Anand
In Hrishikesh Mukherjee's poignant classic, Khanna's Anand is a terminally-ill man with a unique gift to appreciate life at every single moment.
He's also extremely fond of taping his voice as well as his close ones for posterity.
And in it's unforgettable final scene, it's the legacy of these recorded words, 'Zindagi aur maut ooparwale ke haath mien hai jahanpanah,' that he leaves behind.
The lighter in Ittefaq
There is a hidden purpose behind those curious looking props in most suspense dramas.
Khanna's musical lighter in Yash Chopra works as the ultimate clue in Ittefaq and helps the actor resolve all the confusion, which previously led the cops to believe he's murdered his wife in a fit of wild rage.
The Baawarchi uniform
As Raghu, the resourceful cook who restores peace in the chaotic joint family of Shanti Nivas, Rajesh Khanna sports an amusing uniform of khaki shirt, shorts, belt and Gandhi cap with an ever-ready stock of freshly created tunes and inventive recipes like Heeng-Suran kebabs and Kela ka dumpukht.
The Dhaka topi in Aradhana
Along with turning most women in the country weak-kneed with his dapper pilot avatar, Kaka aspired to create a fashion statement with his black Dhaka topi during the chartbuster melody, Mere sapno ki rani.
Oversized sunglasses in Andaz
Lip-syncing to Kishore Kumar's yodeling was never quite this fun as Rajesh Khanna made it to be with his cheerful antics on a bike sporting flamboyant avatar that screamed SEVENTIES and a pair of hip glasses carefully perched on his megastar nose in the catchy Zindagi ek safari hai suhana.
Self portrait in Safar
As an artist who's diagnosed with a fatal disease, RK cuts a melancholic figure around his life-like canvasses.
But it's this visual of a man who'll cease to be looking at a self-portrait that'll endure, which spews poetry.
Brass band instruments from Sachaa Jhutha
In Manmohan Desai's entertaining double role drama, the gullible Rajesh Khanna delivers an all-in-one brass band multi-tasking between his precious collection of instruments -- drums, horns, clarinets like only a true blue Hindi film hero can.
The lone glass from Amar Prem
He's filled with too much wisdom and sense of humour to be Devdas.
But as the lonely Anand Babu, distressed by the betrayal of his wife in Shakti Samanta's Amar Prem, the dhoti-clad Khanna is constantly seen holding a glass filled with drink meant to drown the 'chingaaris' of his mind.
Colourful guru kurtas in Haathi Mere Saathi
As the unofficial brand ambassador of mandarin collared, colourful, medium-lenght guru kurtas, Rajesh Khanna famously sported this custom-made style in several movies.
Here's one in salmon-shade (few can pull off) from Haathi Mere Saathi.
THE complete package in Apna Desh
Whether you remember Jambu's Apna Desh or not, there's no getting over Rahul Dev Burman's trippy rendition/creation Duniya mein logon ko and Rajesh Khanna's jazzy makeover for its picturisation.
Jacquard print pants, ruby red velvet vest and blazer, clunky rings, showy glares and a funny hairpiece?
Reeeeerawww, indeed!