Asha Parekh remembers Rajesh Khanna’s early days
Veteran actress Asha Parekh recently took a trip down memory lane during an episode of Indian Idol, revisiting her early days with the late superstar Rajesh Khanna. The conversation sparked after contestant Myscee Basu performed the classic song “Aaja Piya Tohe Pyaar Doon” from the film Baharon Ke Sapne. Parekh, visibly moved by the rendition, opened up about Khanna’s personality during his initial years in the film industry—a side fans rarely got to see.
Recalling those early interactions, Parekh revealed that Khanna was quite different from the larger-than-life image he later cultivated. She said, “When this song was being filmed, it was Rajesh Khanna ji’s first day on that movie. It was only his second film, so he wasn’t well-known at that time. He was quite shy and hesitant. Basically, he was an introvert.” According to Parekh, Khanna’s reserved nature stood out during those initial meetings, as he was still finding his footing in the industry.
Busy film schedules brought new challenges
As their professional relationship blossomed, Parekh and Khanna found themselves juggling multiple projects simultaneously. The actress recalled a particularly hectic period when both were shooting for Kati Patang and Milo Sajna back-to-back. “We were shooting ‘Kaate Patang’ from 7 to 2 and then ‘Milo Sajna’ from 2 to 10,” she shared, describing the relentless pace. The constant shuttling between sets left them exhausted, but Parekh noted that these shared struggles also brought them closer.
It was during this whirlwind schedule that Khanna offered Parekh some light-hearted advice. “One day, he came and said, ‘Asha ji, why do you rush? You can come at your ease. I won’t arrive before 4 pm,'” she recalled with a laugh. Parekh took the advice to heart, replying, “Good that you told me. I’ll rest for an hour and then reach the set.” The moment, though small, highlighted the easy camaraderie that was developing between the two stars.
Friendship beyond work
Over time, their bond deepened beyond professional collaboration. Parekh revealed that after working together on two or three more films, they began meeting more often and gradually started talking about personal matters. She said, “It felt nice. Sometimes he would share his joys and sorrows with me, and I would share mine with him. That is how our friendship continued and grew.”
The actress emphasized that Khanna’s introverted nature never hindered their connection. Instead, it made their friendship more genuine. Parekh’s candid recollections on Indian Idol offered a rare glimpse into the human side of a superstar who was often seen as charismatic and confident on screen. For fans, it’s a heartwarming reminder that even legends have their quiet moments.