From iconic melodies to unforgettable monologues, Tata Play Classic Cinema celebrates the spirit of Rajesh Khanna’s artistry

~Witness the radiant spirit of old Bollywood classics as Tata Play Classic Cinema pays tribute to industry’s legend Rajesh Khanna from 15th to 18th July ~

This July, Tata Play Classic Cinema pays tribute to the legendary veteran actor and our very own babumoshai, Rajesh Khanna. Get ready to experience an unmissable movie marathon with a selection of some of Rajesh Khanna’s most memorable films. His impressionable charm, charismatic screen presence and versatility stand witness to his unforgettable contributions to cinema. From the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award and Padma Bhushan to 74 golden jubilee movies, this legend set a new benchmark for fame and success in the entertainment industry in India and his movies spanned across various genres, is sure to take the audience on a rollercoaster ride of emotions. Relive the magic of cinema with these iconic films only on Tata Play Classic Cinema as we celebrate the first superstar of Hindi cinema, Rajesh Khanna.

Here are all the titles you can catch from 15th to 18th July.

Apna Desh – 15th July

Starting off strong with Apna Desh, which explores the story of Akash, played by Rajesh Khanna, an honest young man who works at a Municipal Corporation. Akash’s virtuous and dedicated nature gets him into trouble with his senior officials who syphon off government funds. When he is falsely accused of theft, Akash takes it upon himself to expose the corrupt officials and clear his name. The film stars an ensemble cast of Mumtaz, Jagdeep, and Madan Puri. The film is famously marked by its soundtrack, produced by RD Burman, which includes noteworthy tracks like ‘Duniya Me Logon Ko’ and ‘Ro Na Kabhi Nahin Rona’ and this film was a commercial success.

Aradhana – 16th July

This cult classic is based off of a 1946 film titled To Each His Own. The film stars Rajesh Khanna alongside Sharmila Tagore and Sujit Kumar. The plot follows Arun Varma, an ambitious Air Force pilot who falls in love with Vandana. Arun and Vandana secretly get married unbeknownst to their parents, but when Arun suddenly dies in a plane crash, Vandana is shunned from society and disowned by her family. Vandana, now pregnant, is left with no choice but to give her son up for adoption. The film explores the complexities of unrequited love, parental sacrifices and class disparities. The film made an immeasurable contribution to Hindi cinema through a Filmfare Award for best film and the iconic ‘Mere Sapno Ki Rani’ train sequence. This movie brought about a revolution in India on the entertainment scape and inspired many to pick up acting as a profession.

Kati Patang – 17th July

his melancholic tale of heartbreak and second chances stars Rajesh Khanna, Asha Parekh, Prem Chopra and Madan Puri. The film follows the plight of a young woman named Madhu who is running away from her own wedding. Madhu meets Poonam, a childhood friend on the way who is now a widow going to her in-laws house. Due to unforeseen circumstances, Madhu is forced to assume Poonam’s identity and replace her which crosses her paths with Kailash, played by Rajesh Khanna. Kailash and Madhu soon fall in love but conflicts arise when Madhu’s tragic past interferes. The film is adapted from Cornell Woolrich’s 1948 novel, I Married a Dead Man and was the sixth highest grossing film of 1971. The star-studded soundtrack features Lata Mangeshkar and Kishore Kumar singing memorable songs like ‘Pyar Deewana Hota Hai’ and ‘Yeh Shaam Mastani’.

Bawarchi – 18th July

This delightful comedy of errors revolves around the dysfunctional Sharma family who are infamous for never managing to retain a cook. The Sharmas are in a fix, with their everyday lives on hold while they’re looking for a cook, when Raghu arrives. Raghu, played by Rajesh Khanna, is an ambitious small town man who agrees to cook for the Sharma household. Overtime, Raghu forms a bond with the family and mends broken ties, all the while bringing the family together. This warm and heartfelt comedic film includes a stellar cast of Jaya Bhaduri, Asrani and Raju Shrestha. Now a family favourite, Bawarchi was the eighth highest grossing film in 1972 and won Rajesh Khanna the BFJA Award for best actor in 1973.

~ Celebrate Rajesh Khanna’s enchanting talent from 15th to 18th July only on Tata Play Classic Cinema on service #318 ~