When Kaka gave send off to PM Narsimha Rao at IGI Airport while he was going on a 10 day foreign tour

During or after the elections while Rajesh khanna was an egoistic man but a thorough gentleman and  a good friend as well. He never got influenced or impressed by political high ups except Rajiv Gandhi. Kaka didn’t even cared for any sort of protocol but respected all. Many a times he used to scold senior leaders in the night over phone , particularly in inebriated condition and make them feel or realize about their mistakes, wrongs or in his own context – when they must have not heeded to Kaka’s advice or request. Kaka was an amazing actor and a great human being.

He never had any sort of impression or influence as to how important or politically significant that leader would be. In a way he was never a victim of complex or influenced by any political personality, the reason being he never expected any favour from any higher up but was definitely Rajiv Gandhi’s fan whom he adored tremendously and considered as his God father. Former prime minister Rajivji’s sobriety and ambivalence touched Kaka the most. 

Kaka usually slept at late hours, sometimes even at 4.00 am n there used to get late. But during elections he was quite punctual n early getter. There was no choice for him lest he would have lost the election. 

An anecdote :  Once his close confidante Vipin Oberoi , while he was in close proximity with Kakaji in his Delhi house, the former got a call from a Congress’s senior leader  asking him to collect the VIP Pass so that Rajesh Khanna could be in a position to greet n see off the then PM  Narsimha Rao at Palam international airport the other day as P. V. Narsimha Rao was going on the foreign tour for several days.

During these days Kaka was contesting as Congress candidate against Shatrughan Sinha from New Delhi parliamentary constituency.  Kaka when told  by Vipin that he has to get up early morning n go to airport the response was a flat NO. He emphatically said NO, it won’t be possible to be at the airport so early to greet the PM. But Vipin was clever, he knew anything can happen ? Kaka’s mood can change thereafter n he may insist on going. If that happens his position will be in quandry. 

He thought :  What if Kakaji later on changes his plan n insists on going  to the airport. Vipin therefore arranged for two VIP passes despite Kaka’s saying a flat NO. And the same thing happened ? To Vipin’s utter surprise even after sleeping at3.00 am Kaka got up in a huff and asked Vipin to be ready for the airport despite saying NO in the night. Both of them desperately got themselves ready and  anyhow reached the airport. Several union  ministers were already there and were asking Kaka to come along with them to the tarmac to give fair well to PM Narsimha Rao as per the protocol but Kaka shrugged of their suggestions n instead stood at the airport’s main entrance to receive Narasimha Rao PM instead of standing as Darbaari with other ministers. 

He thought that so because  he wanted to meet the PM at the gate or in the sitting room in order  to save time n go back to have a sound sleep.

As soon as the prime minister Nasimha Rao arrived , Kaka greeted him cheerfully alongwith few ministers n accompanied him to the sitting room.

Narsimha Rao acknowledged his pleasentaries and instructed the then shrewd Delhi Pradesh Congress commitee president HKL Bhagat , Delhi MPs and ministers including RK Dhawan  to give up their intercine squabbles and help Kaka to the most to ensure his historic victory. Kaka at that time was contesting the election.

He asked Kaka, not to waste time there n leave immediately to be busy in his election. Inside the airport,  all the ministers n senior bureaucrats were waiting for PM’s arrival but clever and intelligent Kaka met the PM first and also got relieved immediately.

He always used to feel embarassed standing in the row to greet any VVIP  and  this was against his taste. The nasha of superstardom, perhaps, till then. 

Those who greeted n accorded send off to the then PM PV Narsimha Rao alongwith Kaka were union minister PR Kumara Mangalam, Madhav Rao Scindia, Ahmed Patel, HKL Bhagat, R K Dhawan n several other union ministers.

In the picture below is me with Kaka, Sumit Mishra, then journalist ( Jansatta) in 1993 at hotel Le meridian when the former threw a Lunch on party for Journalists covering New Delhi election.