‘मना नहीं कर पाया क्योंकि…’ दोस्त के कहने पर राजनीति में उतरे थे राजेश खन्ना, इंदिरा गांधी की हत्या के बाद आए थे करीब

New Delhi: Rajesh Khanna stepped into politics after doing more than 170 films. He campaigned for the Congress party in 1984. The credit for bringing him into politics goes to former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, with whom he had close relationships. (Photo courtesy: imDB)

Rajesh Khanna’s friend and former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi inspired him to contest the Rajya Sabha elections. The actor revealed in an old interview that Rajiv Gandhi insisted him to contest the election and he could not refuse because of his smile. However, when the party asked him to contest the Lok Sabha elections again, he refused.

Rajesh Khanna had told during a conversation with Retro that he had initially refused to contest elections. He said, ‘After the death of Indira Gandhi, my friendship with Rajiv ji was deepened, I used to campaign for the Congress in every election. He then asked me to contest elections one day. I told him that we are from another community. This is not our job. (Photo courtesy: imDB)

Rajiv Gandhi asked him again, so he could not refuse. He finally won the election. He said, ‘They asked me to contest elections from New Delhi again. I still remember his smile, I could not refuse. I contested the election and became a Member of Parliament from Delhi after winning. (Photo courtesy: imDB)

Rajesh Khanna also felt that he had worked in the film industry for years and now the time had come to move forward. He said, remembering, ‘I had done 170 films by then. I thought I had done a lot of work. What more movies do you want to do now? It’s enough.’ (Photo courtesy: imDB)

Rajesh Khanna had no greed for political position and power, so he decided to retreat. He had said, ‘The high command for the next Lok Sabha elections asked me to contest again. But I refused, because Lok Sabha is not our cup of tea. (Photo courtesy: imDB)

Rajesh Khanna further said, ‘If you feel that I can be useful for our country in Rajya Sabha, then I am more happy than living there. I have to serve the Congress, I do not care about any position or power. (Photo courtesy: imDB)

Rajesh Khanna won the by -election for the Congress from New Delhi in 1992 and retained its seat till 1996. Rajesh Khanna’s film career was fantastic, but personal life was full of bouncing. He married Dimple Kapadia in 1973, but after a few years his paths got separated. He passed away on 18 July 2012 after a long illness.