Rajesh Khanna fine, says family

Khanna, seen here in his younger days, has recently retained his good health. PHOTO: FILE

“He’s more than fine. He is absolutely fine. Thank you for your concern,” Rajesh Khanna’s son-in-law, actor Akshay Kumar told reporters outside Khanna’s bungalow, ‘Ashirwad’ in Bandra.

Akshay’s comments came after the 69-year-old veteran’s manager Ashwin said on Wednesday that the actor had stopped food intake for the “last three or four days”.

Worried fans lined up outside his house, and India’s first superstar Rajesh Khanna happily obliged by waving to them and showing them the ‘V’ for victory sign from the balcony of his house. He was dressed in a crisp white kurta, a stole and dark shades.

With a heavily bearded look, he appeared weak, but seemed to be in high spirits as he sported the same smile which made millions of his female fans’ hearts skip a beat in his heydays.

He was accompanied by his estranged wife Dimple Kapadia, who takes regular care of him nowadays, as well as Akshay, who is married to his elder daughter Twinkle.

While Twinkle is expecting her second baby, her younger sister Rinke has flown down to Mumbai to be with her ailing father.

The actor began his career with Aakhri Khat in 1966. He became a popular name with his work in films like Raaz, Do Raaste and Aradhana and was crowned “superstar” after he delivered 15 consecutive solo super hits.

In April, he was admitted to a hospital due to a brief health scare.

He recently featured in a TV commercial for Havell’s fan.

Published In The Express Tribune, June 22^nd, 2012.