Master Raju Exposes Rajesh Khanna's Legendary Ego in New Revelations
Raju Shrestha, widely recognized as Master Raju, has unveiled additional compelling stories that underscore the monumental ego of the late superstar Rajesh Khanna. These latest anecdotes specifically involve Khanna's interactions with his son-in-law, actor Akshay Kumar, and further illustrate his rigid adherence to hierarchy, even within intimate family settings.
The Akshay Kumar Incident: A Father-in-Law's Stance
Recounting a particularly telling episode, Raju described an occasion when Akshay Kumar visited Rajesh Khanna at his residence. According to the account, Khanna deliberately remained upstairs in a room despite being informed of Akshay's arrival. His response was unequivocal: "Main uska sasur hoon, woh aayega mere paas, main kyun jaoon?" which translates to "I am his father-in-law, he will come to me, why should I go?"
This incident highlights Khanna's unwavering belief in traditional familial roles and his expectation of deference. Akshay Kumar married Twinkle Khanna, the daughter of Rajesh Khanna and Dimple Kapadia, in 2001, making this dynamic especially significant within Bollywood circles.
Professional Disregard and Delayed Recognition
Raju also shared personal experiences that reveal Khanna's consistent attitude of superiority in professional environments. He worked closely with Khanna on a television serial as part of the direction team, meeting him regularly at his office over an extended period. Despite this frequent interaction, Khanna initially refused to acknowledge Raju's presence.
It was only after a full year of collaboration that Khanna unexpectedly addressed Raju by his name, leaving him utterly astonished. Upon inquiry, the director confirmed that Khanna was indeed aware of Raju and even spoke about their past work together when Raju was a child artist. However, Khanna never displayed this recognition directly, maintaining a deliberate distance.
Raju attributed this behavior to Khanna's deeply ingrained belief system, rooted in his stardom and authority. "He had this attitude. I don't know why, but he would think that why should I talk nicely to this person or why should I give him respect?" Raju explained, shedding light on the psychological underpinnings of Khanna's actions.
On-Set Demands and Producer Fetching Rituals
Further illustrating Khanna's starry tantrums, Raju recounted the filming of Palkon Ki Chhaon Mein at China Creek, an area outside Bombay at the time. While co-stars like Hema Malini and Raju himself would arrive punctually in the morning, Khanna operated under different rules.
As the lead actor, Khanna required the producer to personally fetch him from his home, a practice that caused significant delays. The entire cast and crew would wait idly, their schedule entirely dependent on Khanna's whims. This ritual not only disrupted productivity but also emphasized Khanna's perceived indispensability.
Predicting Shoot Days by Car Speed
Raju revealed an intriguing method the crew developed to anticipate whether filming would proceed. They would observe the speed of the producer's car upon its return. If the vehicle was moving at a high velocity, it signaled that Rajesh Khanna was following closely behind, and the shoot would commence. Conversely, a slow speed indicated that Khanna had declined to come, and the producer was returning alone to announce a pack-up.
This system underscores the extreme measures taken to accommodate Khanna's unpredictable behavior and the power dynamics at play. These stories collectively paint a vivid picture of a superstar whose ego shaped both personal interactions and professional environments, leaving a lasting impression on those around him.
