Kaka’s Ghost

Rajesh Khanna’s ghost hovered over the Garden for the best part of the morning. Despite a spate of light drizzle, many of the benches were occupied by groups huddled together under umbrellas, all discussing one subject: India’s so-called ‘original superstar’ who passed away yesterday.
As in life, in death, the actor continued to capture public imagination – particularly with the ladies. Nahid Khan could not only recall his movies (amazingly, with the year of release) but was also correcting others on the string of women (in sequence!) he was romantically linked with off-screen. Talk also revolved around mass hysteria – stories of mobbing, of crowds stationed outside his house, of girls marrying his photographs and smearing lipstick on his car, fans worshiping the ground he walked on… Everyone had a favourite Rajesh Khanna story to tell – even debate the cause of his death. “He had stopped eating for the past eight days because his liver was completely destroyed due to heavy drinking,” informed Arun Patil, thus debunking all theories of lung cancer, kidney failure and AIDS doing the rounds.
Amidst this talk of death and finality, a birthday was also celebrated. Bhaswati Bose distributed sweets (left pic) because everyone sang and clapped and raised the customary extra laugh for her after the exercises. The blog wishes her many happy returns of the day – a normal, peaceful, healthy and contented life.
Harish Wadhwa:
* A very Happy Birthday to Bhaswati-ji on her 21st birthday. (To call it the 18th will be a little too much!) The sweets were awesome, just that I could lay my hands on only one piece as other members were keeping a watchful eye on me. Have a great day and many wonderful years ahead. God bless.
* Sad to hear of Rajesh Khanna's demise, the great star and legend. Some of Kishore-da's choicest songs were filmed on him, to which many of us relate to. May his soul rest in peace.
Prateeti Chowdhury:
Bhaswati-ji, are you turning 21? Just one song that's coming to my mind right now: Bryan Adam's Eighteen till I die... Suits you perfectly!