Sharmila Tagore on Rajesh Khanna's Decline: "Became A Caricature Of Himself"

• Rajesh Khanna, a dominant star of the early 1970s, saw his career decline post-1975 due to bad habits and a damaged reputation.
• Sharmila Tagore stated Khanna "couldn't or didn't reinvent himself," becoming a "caricature of himself" and failing to adapt to changing times.
• Dimple Kapadia described his 1980s phase as "pathetic" amidst unsuccessful films and marital issues, noting his frustration.
• Despite a surprise hit with Avtaar (1983), Khanna admitted to "bad habits" and failed to sustain his comeback, blaming others for his flops.
• His later ventures into production and politics, including a drunken call to a journalist, further highlighted his damaged public image.

Why It Matters: Rajesh Khanna's decline stemmed from his inability to adapt, personal habits, and damaged reputation.