When we want to feel lucky we buy charm bracelets or feng shui. While Rajesh Khanna bought a whole house. Newfound facts in 'Jubilee Kumar: The Life and Times of a Superstar: by Seema Sonik Alimchand reveal this and more. When Khanna bought the legendary Ashirwad mansion in 1969, his intention was more than accommodation. He revealed it was so some of Rajendra Kumar's luck would rub off on him.
That is something we all wish we could relate to. Further information reveals, "Your stardom is at its peak whereas I am just starting out ... my life would change completely if I acquired your residence. It's the house of the biggest star of India, after all!" said Khanna to Kumar.
The bungalow, then named 'Dimple' after Kumar's daughter got sold to Khanna for mere Rs 3.5 lakhs. He spent most of his stardom years there. Renamed it 'Ashirwad'. This was because Kumar told Khanna, "You must change the name. Dimple is my daughter's name. We had named the Carter Road bungalow after her and we have now named our new home 'Dimple' too. But you have my blessings for your new home. May it bring you immense luck and prosperity,"
It actually worked! Khanna's popularity peaked. He got films like 'Aradhana', 'Ittefaq' and 'Do Raaste'. All three were massive hits at the box office. While for Kumar, things were falling apart.
"The year 1971 belonged, without doubt, to the romantic superstar Rajesh Khanna who topped the charts, once again, with a diverse range of movies. These were Haathi Mere Saathi, Maryada, Kati Patang, Mehboob ki Mehndi and the unforgettable Anand," reads the book.
Kumar somehow managed. Though he received some stern words from his wife. "We didn't need the money. Why, then, did you give it to him and that too for a measly three and a half lakhs?' she had scolded him,".
