Rajesh Khanna, the iconic Bollywood actor, made his debut in the film industry with the movie “Aakhri Khat” in 1966. His journey to this breakthrough involved a mix of luck and perseverance.
When Khanna visited Bombay (now Mumbai) to pursue his dream of becoming an actor, he met filmmaker Chetan Anand at a bus stop. Although initially disinterested, Anand changed his mind after seeing Khanna’s photographs.
Anand offered Khanna a small role in his upcoming film “Haqeeqat,” but the actor declined the offer as he aspired for a more prominent role. However, Anand did not forget about Khanna and recommended him to his younger brother, director Vijay Anand.
Impressed with Khanna’s appearance and personality, Vijay Anand cast him as the lead in “Aakhri Khat.” The film was well-received by critics and marked the beginning of Rajesh Khanna’s journey in the Indian film industry.