Veteran actor Farida Jalal, recently seen in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s 'Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar,' started her illustrious career with the film 'Taqdeer' after winning the United Film Producers Talent Hunt sponsored by Filmfare in 1965, alongside Rajesh Khanna. The two subsequently starred in the super hit film 'Aradhana,' which catapulted Rajesh Khanna to superstardom. In a recent interview, Farida Jalal recalled Rajesh Khanna’s unparalleled popularity and how no other actor has reached his level of fame.


Farida Jalal on Rajesh Khanna's stardom


Speaking to Bollywood Bubble, Farida revealed that Rajesh Khanna's immense popularity led to a change in his demeanour. “By the time we were shooting for ‘Aradhana,’ offers and movie roles had started pouring in for him. Unko zara ghamand bhi aa gaya tha (He had even become a bit arrogant). After the release of 'Aradhana,' the craze for him was next level. Even today, when I watch that film, he was very good in 'Aradhana,' and what happened was meant to happen,” she shared.


Farida also mentioned that her initial indifference towards Rajesh Khanna annoyed him, but they eventually became friends after 'Aradhana' became a massive hit.


On girls going crazy over him after Aradhana


“I didn’t pay him much attention, so he got irritated with me. I was in my own world, and he was a little annoyed by that. When the film was released, it became a super hit. 'Aradhana' was a diamond jubilee (75 weeks). During that time, we used to travel to every city; distributors would invite us, and we would fly from one city to another. During those days, when we met, Kaaka and I became friends. On set, I used to think he was very proud. He would say, 'How many rehearsals?' I was a newcomer, and it really upset me. So, we had an argument there. But when we met at award functions, our friendship grew differently. I used to see the girls who came, all going crazy over him. I used to get very annoyed seeing the girls swoon, asking for his autograph here and there. I was disgusted. He would give me a look and say, 'Dekha, Star, tum to humein kuch samajhte nahi,’” she told Bollywood Bubble.


On Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan coming close to Rajesh Khanna's stardom


Farida reflected on her experience working with him and the overwhelming fan craze he commanded. “I used to think, I worked with him, sang a song with him, but I didn’t go crazy, so what’s wrong with these girls? I have to say, I have never seen such stardom and such madness for any other hero after that. Yes, there is some of it for Shah Rukh Khan, and also for Salman Khan,” she concluded.


'Aradhana', released in 1969, starred Rajesh Khanna in double role along with Farida Jalal and Sharmila Tagore.