Actors Rajesh Khanna and Asha Parekh were starred together in superhit Hindi films like Kati Patang (1971) and Aan Milo Sajna (1970). However emerged to stardom after 1967 movie, Baharon Ke Sapne. Recently, Parekh recounted the time when she first met with the legend Khanna and got a chance to work together.
Parekh, 80, recounted Khanna as an introvert person who would rarely socialize on the sets. While speaking to ABP, Parekh shared, “We (She and Khanna) started with Baharon Ke Sapne. Basically, he was an introvert. He never used to talk a lot. He would sit in a corner and Baharaon Ke Sapne was only his second film and I was already a star. I was not supposed to do it. Nandaji had to star in the movie. But she backed out because it was not a glamorous role. So Nasir sahab (Nasir Hussain) came to me and requested me to do it.”
She adds, “So, a lot of to and fro happened in the schedule because of my dates. Toh ek aadh aisa vaakya ho gaya tha Rajesh Khanna ke saath… tab se maine kaha… (one day an incident happened with Rajesh Khanna that I said from that day…)” Leaving it there, Parekh stated, “He was introverted and I think he also had an inferiority complex at that point of time. But once he became a superstar, everything changed.”
Asha Parekh thereon gave massive hits in the industry which included the most loved films of all time Mera Gaon Mera Desh, Upkar, Phir Wohi Dil Laya Hoon among others. Even though the actor was not too choosy with her scripts but very particular with what she will wear during filming.
She averred, “There was no list of dos and don’ts. But yes I was particular about my clothes. If someone would have told me to wear a bikini, I would have said, ‘Nahi mujhe nahi karna kaam (No, I don’t want to do it).”