"I ignored producers, now I am being punished...": KC Bokadia opens up about Rajesh Khanna's emotional confession
Mumbai, November 4
Veteran filmmaker KC Bokadia has opened up about the difficult final years of legendary actor Rajesh Khanna, recalling how the superstar, who once enjoyed unprecedented popularity, struggled with loneliness and a lack of work towards the later part of his career.
In an emotional recollection, Bokadia said that Khanna was a strong man despite the pain he was going through and remembered his regret over having ignored film producers early in his career.
Speaking to ANI, Bokadia remembered how the actor would acknowledge that his professional choices had cost him opportunities.
Recalling Khanna's words, he said, "Wo sher aadmi tha, lekin usko takleef ho rahi thi. He said, ye meri hi galti hai, maine producers ko ignore kiya. Aaj mujhe saza mil rahi hai." (He was a lion of a man, yet he was suffering. He said this is entirely my own fault-I ignored the producers. Now, I am paying the price.)
Bokadia also spoke about the loneliness Khanna experienced when his films stopped performing well at the box office.
Recalling the actor's office on Linking Road in Mumbai, the filmmaker said that producers who once queued up to work with the superstar gradually stopped visiting him.
"No one used to come in the last stage. He used to stand all day. There was his office on Linking Road. He used to smoke all day. No one used to come. People used to say that. We saw it too. Because the films flopped. Plus they used to say that it was very painful for him; no producers used to come to him," Bokadia told ANI.
The filmmaker also reflected on how the film industry often changes its attitude towards actors depending on the success of their films.
When asked why producers tend to line up when an actor delivers hits but withdraw when their films begin to fail, Bokadia acknowledged that this is how the business works.
"It happens like this. This is how it is. There are only a few good people," he said.
Amid the difficult memories, Bokadia also shared a personal anecdote that offered a glimpse into Khanna's warmth and hospitality.
Recalling an invitation to dinner, the filmmaker said that Khanna was fond of cooking, particularly 'kadhi and gatte ki sabzi'. He remembered how respectfully the actor invited him over for a meal despite Bokadia living in Chennai (then Madras) at the time.
"He invited me to eat, and he called me so respectfully. And he said, Mr Bokadia, look, I have made kadhi and gatte ki sabzi for you," he recalled.
Bokadia further described Khanna as someone who enjoyed food and cooking and was also known for hosting grand parties, although the filmmaker said he never attended those gatherings.
When asked why Khanna's films eventually stopped working, particularly as Amitabh Bachchan's 'Angry Young Man' image began dominating the screen and romantic films gradually lost their earlier appeal, Bokadia instead said, "It's all a game of fate."
Sharing examples from his own filmmaking journey, Bokadia explained how predicting an actor's success was never an exact science.
He recalled working with established stars as well as recognising potential in actors who eventually went on to become superstars.
He also recalled an incident involving veteran actor Rajkumar, who once expressed disbelief at how certain actors achieved stardom.
Bokadia further spoke about his association with Amitabh Bachchan, recalling that the actor signed 'Aaj Ka Arjun' without listening to its story.
KC Bokadia collaborated with legendary superstar Rajesh Khanna on three notable films. He produced 'Main Tera Dushman' (1989) and co-produced 'Paap Ka Ant' (1989), both featuring Khanna in special appearances.
Their most prominent collaboration was 'Pyaar Zindagi Hai' (2001), produced by Bokadia, in which Khanna played Hridaynath, a loving father protecting his daughters.
— ANI
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