Even as his stardom waned in later years, the legendary Rajesh Khanna's commitment to his craft never dimmed. In a poignant revelation, acclaimed filmmaker R. Balki has shared intimate details of directing the iconic actor's final advertisement campaign for Havells fans in 2012, painting a picture of a man who remained diligent, humorous, and utterly professional until his very last days.
A Beautiful, Bittersweet Experience
Balki, who never personally witnessed the frenzy of Khanna's superstardom in the 1960s and early 70s, first met the actor for this project. He fondly remembers always addressing him as 'Sir', never using the more familiar 'Kaka'. The concept for the ad was deeply personal and reflective. It showed Khanna musing about his once-massive following, then humorously noting that while his 'people' might have left, his fans—a clever reference to Havells products—would always stay by his side.
The nostalgic backdrop featured ceiling and table fans gently blowing air as Khanna whistled the tune of his timeless hit "Ye Sham Mastani" from the 1970 classic 'Kati Patang'. "I read out the script to him. He laughed," Balki recalled on the Mama's Couch YouTube channel podcast. Concerned about Khanna's health, Balki asked if he understood the script's playful jab. Khanna's response was quintessential: "Babu moshai, you think I'd been a superstar if I didn't have a sense of humour?"
Shooting Against All Odds
The physical challenges of the shoot were immense. Balki revealed that Khanna was quite ill at the time. The filming took place in Bangalore, and the actor had to be flown in via an air ambulance. On set, he arrived in a wheelchair with an IV drip attached to his hand. The crew would remove the drip, help him up, and he would shoot for exactly 45 seconds before needing to sit back down.
This led to an extraordinary situation where Balki had only seven minutes of total footage to edit into a one-minute commercial—a scenario the director described as "unheard of" in the industry. Despite the immense difficulty, Khanna's spirit remained undaunted. "He was suffering... He knew he didn't have much time," said Balki, calling the entire experience very emotional.
A Promise Unfulfilled and a Legacy Remembered
In a heartbreaking turn, Khanna expressed his desire to collaborate on a film with Balki after the ad shoot. "He said, 'We'll do a film together.' He passed away a couple of weeks after that," the filmmaker shared. Balki, who admits to being a bigger fan of Amitabh Bachchan—the co-star of the iconic 1971 film 'Anand' who eventually eclipsed Khanna's fame—found a profound cinematic quality in this final chapter of the first superstar's life.
This final professional outing was not just an advertisement but a testament to Rajesh Khanna's enduring charisma and dedication. It captured a legend, fragile yet fierce, using his own storied journey and signature charm to deliver one last memorable performance for his audience, proving that his star power, though dimmed, never truly faded.
