On the 14th anniversary of the death of: Rajesh Khannathe memories of the legendary star continue to resonate with fans. The actor died on July 18, 2012, at the age of 69. Over the years, his alleged girlfriend Anita Advani shared emotional accounts of his last days, claiming that the superstar accepted the idea of death before it came.Years ago, in an interview on Avanti Films’ YouTube channel, Anita described the drastic decline in Rajesh Khanna’s health in the last year of his life. “He melted down in a year. I couldn’t see him like that. He would cry all day,” she recalled. When asked if she believed the actor somehow wanted his own death, Anita replied, “He invited it, revealed it.”He further revealed that she always disagrees with him whenever he says something negative, hoping to keep his spirit alive despite his deteriorating condition.
Rajesh Khanna’s dream for Aashirvaad
Anita also spoke about Rajesh Khanna’s iconic bungalow, Aashirvaad, saying the property holds a lot of emotional value for the actor. According to him, he envisions the residence to become a museum dedicated to his heritage. “It was his wish that the house be a museum,” he said. He further revealed that Rajesh Khanna turned down a lucrative offer for the property despite facing health issues.“He had an offer of Rs 150 crore when he was unwell, but he refused to sell it. He said, ‘I want to make it a museum’. He wants the museum to continue for 100 years.” Talking about the destruction of Aashirvaad after his death, Anita expressed her grief, saying, “When the house was destroyed, I died with it.”In an earlier conversation with Rediff in 2013, Anita reflected on how Rajesh Khanna’s family became increasingly involved in her life in her final months. He admitted that almost a year before his death, his estranged wife Dimple Kapadia and daughters Twinkle Khanna and: Rinke Khanna: started visiting him regularly.“They spend a few hours there. When I’m there, they call me and ask when I’ll be back so they can leave. When they come, I take care of them. I tell them where her things are hidden. Dimple doesn’t even know who all came to the house to see her. I’ll tell her, and we’re like friends. I’m happy that her family came to her because her family came to her, so he had a hard time making his decision too. I am very afraid that his health is deteriorating. Anju Mahendroo also sits with him sometimes. We have a very good relationship,” he said.
Rajesh Khanna’s health continues to decline
Anita also revealed how bad Rajesh Khanna’s condition was during his last days. According to him, doctors have warned those close to him that the veteran actor may die at any time. “The doctors told us he could go at any moment. He was so weak, he started hallucinating, and couldn’t understand things,” he recalled.Rajesh Khanna, remembered for unforgettable performances in classics such as ‘Anand’, ‘Aradhana’, ‘Amar Prem’ and ‘Kati Patang’, remains one of the most popular superstars of Hindi cinema, with his legacy continuing to inspire generations of movie buffs.