On the 14th anniversary of his death Rajesh Khannathe legendary star’s memories continue to resonate with fans. The actor died on July 18, 2012 at the age of 69. Over the years, his alleged girlfriend Anita Advani has shared touching accounts of his final days, claiming the superstar had come to terms with the idea of death long before it came.A few years ago, in an interview for Avanti Films’ YouTube channel, Anita described the dramatic decline in Rajesh Khanna’s health in the last year of his life. “Within a year he disappeared. I couldn’t see him like that. He would cry all day long,” she recalled. When asked if she believed the actor somehow voluntarily died, Anita responded: “He invited it, performed it.”She further revealed that she often disagreed with him whenever he spoke pessimistically, hoping to keep his spirits up even as his condition worsened.
Rajesh Khanna’s Aashirvaad Dream
Anita also spoke about Rajesh Khanna’s iconic bungalow Aashirvaad, saying the property holds immense sentimental value for the actor. According to her, he wanted the home to become a museum dedicated to his legacy. “He wanted to turn the house into a museum,” she said. She further revealed that Rajesh Khanna reportedly turned down lucrative offers for the property despite facing health issues.“When he was not in good health, he made an offer of Rs 150 crore, but he refused to sell. He said, ‘I want to turn this into a museum’. He wanted the museum to last 100 years.” Talking about the eventual demolition of the house after Ahirwad’s death, Anita expressed her heartbreak, saying, “When the house was demolished, I died with it.”In an earlier conversation with Rediff in 2013, Anita reflected on how Rajesh Khanna’s family became more involved in his life during his final months. She claimed that nearly a year before his death, his estranged wife Dimple Kapadia and daughter Twinkle Khanna and Link Khanna Start visiting him regularly.“They would stay there for hours. If I went out, they would call and ask me when I would be back so they could leave. When they came, I took care of them. I would tell them where his things were. Dimple didn’t even know who came to the house to see him. I would tell her that we were like friends. I was happy that his family came to see him. Because he was sick, it was difficult for a person to make them I am very concerned that his health is deteriorating. Anju Mahendroo occasionally sits with him. We have a good relationship,” she said.
Rajesh Khanna’s health continues to deteriorate
Anita also revealed how seriously ill Rajesh Khanna was in his final days. According to her, doctors had warned those close to him that the veteran actor could pass away at any time. “The doctors told us he could leave at any time. He became very weak, started hallucinating and couldn’t understand things,” she recalled.Best remembered for his unforgettable performances in classic films such as Anand, Aradhana, Amar Prem and Kathi Patang, Rajesh Khanna remains one of the most celebrated superstars of Hindi cinema and his legacy continues to inspire generations of film lovers.
