Last rites of superstar Rajesh Khanna performed, as he leaves behind poignant memories

Mumbai, July 19 (ANI): The mortal remains of Hindi cinema's first superstar Rajesh Khanna was consigned to flames at the Paramhans Crematorium in Vile Parle, Mumbai, on Thursday in the presence of his family, friends and thousands of fans.

Khanna's dialogue from the super hit flick Anand "Arrey oh baabu mushai hum to rangmanch ki kathputliyan hain jiski dor us upar wale ke haathon main hai kab, kaun kahan uthega ye koi nahin janta", will however, continue to remain in the minds of his fans, who gathered in large numbers here to have a last glimpse of their erstwhile superstar.

Actor Akshay Kumar and Twinkle Khanna's son Aarav lit the funeral pyre.

The 69-year-old actor breathed his last at his Aashirwad home in Bandra, Mumbai, on Wednesday following a prolonged illness.

Khanna, who enjoyed unprecedented adulation from his fans across the country, was rushed to Lilavati Hospital twice in the past one month due to exhaustion and weakness.

Khanna's health started deteriorating since April this year when he stopped taking food and complained of exhaustion and weakness.

The legendary actor married actress Dimple Kapadia in 1973. The two got separated in 1984 and thereafter lived separately, but did not complete the divorce proceedings.

Khanna was born in Amritsar on December 29, 1942. Khanna lived in Thakurdwar near Girgaon in Mumbai.

Rajesh Khanna was one of eight finalists in the 1965 All India Talent Contest organised by United Producers and Filmfare from more than ten thousand contestants. Subsequently, Khanna won the contest.

He made his film debut in the 1966 film Aakhri Khat directed by Chetan Anand, followed by Raaz directed by Ravindra Dave both of which were a part of his predetermined prize for winning the All-India United Producers' Talent Competition.

He rose to prominence with his performances in films like Raaz, Baharon Ke Sapne, Ittefaq and Aradhana.

Khanna appeared in 163 feature films of which 128 as the lead protagonist including 106 as the solo lead hero films and 22 two-hero projects and did 17 short films. He won three Filmfare Best Actor Awards and was nominated for the same fourteen times. He received the maximum BFJA Awards for Best Actor (Hindi) - four times and nominated 25 times.

Khanna, the 'First Superstar' of Hindi cinema, was awarded the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award in 2005. (ANI)