Aside his deep bond with RD, were 2 other v. big names in Rajesh Khanna’s closest circle – Kishore Kumar & Shakti Samanta.
The story of how this first association came into being, is also most infotaining. Infact connected to Rajesh’s own beginnings in the big league. So happens that great singer & Music director Hemant Kumar was remaking a Bengali superhit into the now legendary ‘Khamoshi’ in Hindi, in late 1967 or so, whose director Asit Sen wanted Dev Anand as lead, but Waheeda Rehman, it’s signed heroine, was deeply impressed by this young man from his first 5 films over past 2 yrs, films he got very good reviews for,& passed very high recommendation for him instead, so Hemant who was also eyeing the boy,had him signed.
Thus began shooting when a fine evening Hemant arrived at Rajesh’s accommodation for instructions on the next day, & saw Rajesh coolly smoking away with his friends. Rajesh got so embarrassed at being caught smoking, he instantly almost apologized & asked Hemant da why didn’t have him called to his place instead, than having to see them so.
Hemant got amused at the high sensitivities as also respect for elders displayed by the lad, & while going away, was quietly asked who was singing the bridge song, & if he could take Kishore Kumar as his voice for it!
Hemant had someone else in mind, as Kishore was not hot property for quite sometime, but see how fond he was of Rajesh, & as twas his first demand ever, agreed, & gave Kishore Kumar the song & as would turn out, Kishore’s first big hit after very long!
Ofcourse also giving Ind Cin it’s greatest ever actor-singer duo! Here’s the song!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MDXFi3avqo0
Cut to 3 yrs down the line, to Meena Kumari’s last film ‘Dushman’, with Khanna excitedly in lead. Music Dir Laxmikant had a qawwali song in mind, for which Kishore, Rajesh Khanna’s whole & sole voice by then,wasn’t used to & comfortable with at all, & practically refused to comply.
Just then Khanna,who was narrated this impasse bts,arrived at studios in his green car,entered the room,sat next to Kishore, & began his quiet cajoling. “Ki holo dada! Gaane ka nahi hai kya, babumoshai?” with that mischievous look in his eye. Kishore explained,but Khanna turned to Music Dir Laxmikant & said “If he’s not singing it, I’m not acting in it!”.
Kishore knew the emo blackmailing of his friends, & quietly acquiesced,resulting in Bolly’s Top 5 quawwalis in history,& a big feather in LP & Kishore’s cap!
Here it is https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GdmQpAKOfdA
Similarly, Shakti Samanta was stuck with a script titled ‘Anuraag’ dearly wanted to make,but as unconventional & non-spicy,turned down by all distributors.A issue he perchance narrated to Rajesh,who having read it,thot twas travesty if left unmade,& came up with a soln. “What if you write a cameo for me!”.
He shockingly replied,”You!”. & Thus got made a Indie Top 600 classic, with RK at peak of career, in v. spl role, just for love of a friend!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xg0IdiRj6Go
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