On the 14th death anniversary of Rajesh Khanna, memories of the legendary star continue to resonate with fans. The actor passed away on July 18, 2012, at the age of 69. Over the years, his alleged girlfriend Anita Advani has shared emotional accounts of his final days, claiming that the superstar had accepted the idea of death long before it arrived.Years back, in an interview with Avanti Films’ YouTube channel, Anita described the dramatic decline in Rajesh Khanna’s health during the last year of his life. “He melted away in one year. I couldn’t see him like that. He would cry all day long,” she recalled. When asked whether she believed the actor had somehow willed his own death, Anita replied, “He invited it, manifested it.”She further revealed that she often disagreed with him whenever he spoke pessimistically, hoping to keep his spirits alive despite his deteriorating condition.
Rajesh Khanna’s dream for Aashirvaad
Anita also spoke about Rajesh Khanna’s iconic bungalow, Aashirvaad, saying the property held immense emotional value for the actor. According to her, he had envisioned the residence becoming a museum dedicated to his legacy. “It was his wish that the house be converted into a museum,” she said. She further disclosed that Rajesh Khanna had reportedly turned down a lucrative offer for the property despite facing health issues.“He had an offer of Rs 150 crore when he was not keeping well, but he refused to sell it. He said, ‘I want to turn this into a museum’. He wanted that museum to go on for 100 years.” Speaking about the eventual demolition of Aashirvaad after his passing, Anita expressed her heartbreak, saying, “When the house was demolished, I died along with it.”In an earlier conversation with Rediff in 2013, Anita reflected on how Rajesh Khanna’s family became more involved in his life during his final months. She claimed that nearly a year before his death, his estranged wife Dimple Kapadia and daughters Twinkle Khanna and Rinke Khanna began visiting him regularly.“They would spend a couple of hours there. If I was out, they would call me and ask me when I would be returning so that they could leave. When they came, I took care of them. I would tell them where his things were kept. Dimple didn’t even know who all came to the house to see him. I would tell her, and we were like friends. I was happy that his family had come to him. It was difficult for one person to take a decision since he was sick, so I would consult with them too. I was very scared that his health was deteriorating. Anju Mahendroo would also sit with him once in a while. We bonded very well,” she had said.
Rajesh Khanna’s health continued to decline
Anita also revealed how serious Rajesh Khanna’s condition had become in his final days. According to her, doctors had already cautioned those close to him that the veteran actor could pass away at any moment. “The doctors had told us that he could go any time. He had become very weak, he had started hallucinating, and couldn’t understand things,” she recalled.Rajesh Khanna, remembered for unforgettable performances in classics such as ‘Anand’, ‘Aradhana’, ‘Amar Prem’ and ‘Kati Patang’, remains one of Hindi cinema’s most celebrated superstars, with his legacy continuing to inspire generations of movie lovers.
