Veteran actress Mumtaz expressed her deep emotion over the fate of Rajesh Khanna’s iconic house, Aashirwad, calling it a “memorial” and admitting that its loss still affects her.In a recent conversation with Vicky Lalwani, Mumtaz spoke about her close relationship with Khanna, her frequent visits to the bungalow, and the memories associated with it.
“This was my hero’s house.”
Remembering Aashirwad, Mumtaz said the place still holds immense sentimental value for her.“It hurt me. Even today, when I see this building, I say: This was my hero’s house.”“It was a huge landmark, it was a monument,” she added.Mumtaz revealed that her own residence, which she bought from Meena Kumari, is located near Aashirwad.“The house we were staying in on Carter Road, was Meena Kumari’s house, and it was very close to Rajesh Khanna’s house.
I used to go there a lot.”She fondly recalled the warmth she received from Khanna and his then partner Anju Mahendru.“When Anju was with him, she would call me and make me sit. Even when I was proposing to Mayur, I would take him with me.”“Kaka and Anju were taking good care of us, saying: ‘Take this, eat this.’ People in the film industry are very big-hearted.
“This was the dream – to turn it into a museum.”
Speaking about what happened to the one-story house, Mumtaz said she had heard about plans to preserve it.
“That was the dream, for it to become a museum after he died. But after he died, I don’t know why it was sold.”She declined to speculate further.“I heard that there are some internal issues, but I don’t know the details. When you don’t know the truth, you shouldn’t comment.”Describing herself as very emotional, Mumtaz said that her connections in the industry have always been lasting.“I’m a very emotional person. When I love someone or become friends with them, it’s forever.”
“I was very close to Anju and Kaka.”
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“I knew he would come late, but he finished his work.”
Besides his personal memories, Mumtaz also spoke about working with Rajesh Khanna on the sets, including his known habit of arriving late.“No, because he will come and finish his work. We had an understanding with Rajesh Khanna. I knew he would come late, but he would finish his work.” She added that she has adjusted her schedule accordingly.“Yes, we had arguments sometimes. But I adjusted a lot. The director would take my individual takes first. I would even ask: ‘Should I do this at a high pitch or a low pitch?’ and do it accordingly.”“Then when he came, we would do the combination shots. After that, my packing was done. I used to say to him: ‘You’re done with the close-ups, now do your part. You’re late – I’m leaving.’