Rajesh Khanna Once Declined Offer Of Rs 3.5 Crore Per Episode For Bigg Boss, Regretted Later

Bollywood superstar Rajesh Khanna was once approached to participate in the reality show Bigg Boss.

Bollywood superstar Rajesh Khanna was once approached to participate in the reality show Bigg Boss. However, in a surprising turn of events, after initially declining the offer, the actor expressed interest, only to find out that the show's producers had moved on. 

When Rajesh Khanna rejected Bigg Boss offer

Journalist Ali Peter John, a close friend of the late superstar, shared this story in a 2012 interview with Rediff, revealing what really happened between Rajesh Khanna and the Bigg Boss team. According to Ali, the show's creators were eager to have Rajesh Khanna join the Bigg Boss house and asked Ali to arrange a meeting. However, Rajesh was initially uninterested in the idea, saying, “Nahin, nahin, Rajesh Khanna aise show thodi karega (Rajesh Khanna won’t work in such shows).” Despite Ali’s attempts to persuade him, the actor firmly declined the offer. 

He changed his mind but makers lost interest

The Bigg Boss team was reportedly willing to pay Rajesh Khanna a staggering Rs 3.5 crore per episode to participate in the show, but the actor remained resolute in his decision to stay away from reality TV. But then, a few days later, he had a change of heart. Unfortunately, by the time he communicated his interest in joining the show, the producers had already lost interest.

Ali recalled meeting Rajesh Khanna just two and a half months before his passing. When asked about his change of heart, the actor reportedly said, “Agar Ghalib daaru peekar mar sakta hain, toh main kyon nahin? (If the legendary poet Ghalib could die of excessive drinking, why can’t I?).” 

Rajesh Khanna 'lived like a king'

Ali also shed light on the financial savvy of the superstar, stating that Rajesh Khanna was wise in managing his investments. Even though he wasn’t working much towards the end of his life, he had built a considerable portfolio, allowing him to live in style. Ali fondly remembered how Rajesh 'lived like a king' and had renovated his entire bungalow to resemble a palace. He also mentioned that Rajesh’s daughters, Twinkle Khanna and Rinke Khanna, had considered transforming the house into a museum dedicated to their father’s legacy. 

Rajesh Khanna, hailed as the first superstar of Indian cinema, passed away in July 2012. He was posthumously awarded the Padma Bhushan, India’s third-highest civilian honor, in 2013.