Legends and celebrities, especially first and original Super Star like Rajesh Khanna who literally ruled the Indian Film Industry once and carried behind him a large fan following of millions, giving 15 super duper hit movies in a row during the seventies are seldom forgotten or erased from the memories of die hard fans who even today, after his sad demise in 2012 consider him as immortal.
Myself having been associated with him for several years in Delhi while he contested as the Congress candidate from New Delhi parliamentary constituency, first against BJP stalwart Lal Krishna Advani in 1991 n then against Bollywood actor Shatrughan Sinha finally winning the seat and becoming MP , I consider the two years extremely hectic as super star of his glorious Bollywood years turn politician Rajesh Khanna had to fight two elections in a row after Lal Krishna Advani preferred retaining the Gandhi Nagar seat of Gujarat which the latter won alongwith the New Delhi seat defeating Kaka with merely 1576 votes.
There are number of anecdotes of super star and MP Rajesh Khanna aka Kakaji that happened during those days when he was MP from New Delhi. These may be of interest or curiosity for some and of not interest for others, but being in close proximity with him I think it significant to share one of the memories’ with you. I fondly remember that Kaka was alloted Bungalow number 81 in Lodhi Estate which was once occupied by the former union minister H. N. Bahuguna and later on by Mr. Mahajan the then union minister. Unfortunately all the three occupants of this bungalow are not in our midst.
This bungalow was totally renovated by Kaka from inside on his own personal expences with two lavish offices. It was in 1992 and I got a news that the first Indian women mountaineer n Everest conqueror Bachendripal alongwith another conquerer Santosh Yadav and other women mountaineers are stationed in Delhi after their expedition.
Bachendripal being a first woman conqueror of the world’s highest peak and also hailing from Chamoli Garhwal, Uttarakhand I was thrilled about her presence in a Delhi hotel. I thought it would be a wonderful idea to arrange a meeting between Kaka and her as both are the legends of their own fields. One a super star n MP and another a super woman having climbed mount everest impressing one n all as a first woman in India.
Though I had not idea about the where abouts of Bachendripal’s stay but was enthusiatically highly confident of finding her. I put a word in Kaka’s ear thinking that he may disregard my proposal. But I was thrilled that as soon as I put the idea in Kaka’s mind he immediately in a joyful mode/ mood asked me to invite her and her other friends to a lunch at 81 Lodhi Estate.
Kaka too was thrilled as he was also Bachendrpal’s admirer for her outstanding achievement to climb the highest peak of the World , Mount Everest.
My respect for Kaka enhanced more after his tremendous affection and adoration of Bachendri Pal. Getting a green signal from Kaka, I approached one of my friend Pratap Singh Shahi and Rajendra Sajwan, sports Journalist who arranged the meeting of Bachendrpal with Kakaji on my behest.
When Bachendripal, Santosh Yadav and their team mates were informed about the super star of millenium Kaka’s wish to meet them and serve the lunch, all the women mountaineers were thrilled. They visited 81 Lodhi Estate quite in time and Kaka welcomed them all heartily, praising Bachendripal n others for their outstanding achievements. After the lunch Kaka n Bachendripal interacted and answered each other’s queries about their respective fields n achievements.
I remember, how curiously Kaka’s autograph were taken as well. I had personally invited the then metro editor of Times of India Pankaj Vohra on Kaka’s advise who turned at the lunch with the editor of Day After Magazine Sunil Dung despite his busy schedule. After the lunch a group photo was also clicked with this women mountaineer expedition team and friends with Kaka, Bachendripal n Santosh Yadav as the main attractions of the memorable picture. Gone are the memorable days of 1992 but the memories are still fresh in our minds. The news of the meeting between two stalwarts of their own diverse fields was widely covered in newspapers the other day.
