Rajesh Khanna's Lucky Charm: How a Death Scene Led to 5 Blockbusters & a Cult Classic

• Between 1969 and 1974, Rajesh Khanna insisted on a specific death scene for his character in six films, believing it brought him luck.
• Five of these films—"Aradhana," "Safar," "Namak Haraam," and "Roti" (two versions)—became blockbusters, while "Anand" achieved cult classic status.
• In "Namak Haraam," Rajesh Khanna's insistence led to a script change where his character died instead of Amitabh Bachchan's, causing friction between the actors and director Hrishikesh Mukherjee.
• "Aradhana" (1969) launched Rajesh Khanna into superstardom, featuring him in a double role where one character dies mid-film.
• "Anand" (1971), co-starring Amitabh Bachchan, is considered a timeless classic, where Rajesh Khanna's character's death deeply resonated with audiences.

Why It Matters: Rajesh Khanna's unique superstition about his character's death scene contributed to his unparalleled success in the 1970s.