14th death anniversary of Rajesh Khanna: When his alleged girlfriend Anita Advani claims he ‘invited’ his death – ‘He was crying all day’
On the 14th death anniversary of Rajesh Khanna, memories of the legendary star still resonate with fans. The actor died on July 18, 2012 at the age of 69. Over the years, his alleged girlfriend Anita Advani has shared emotional accounts of his final days, claiming that the star had accepted the idea of death long before it arrived.Years ago, in an interview with the Avanti Films YouTube channel, Anita described the dramatic decline in Rajesh Khanna’s health during the last year of his life. “He faded away in one year. I couldn’t see him like that. He would cry all day,” she recalled. When asked if she thought the actor had somehow wanted him dead, Anita replied: “He invited it, he showed it.”She also revealed that she often disagreed with him whenever he spoke pessimistically, hoping to keep his spirits alive despite his deteriorating condition.
Rajesh Khanna’s dream in Aashirvaad
Anita also spoke about Rajesh Khanna’s famous house, Aashirvaad, saying that the property holds immense sentimental value for the actor. According to her, he envisioned the residence becoming a museum dedicated to his heritage. “It was his wish that the house be turned into a museum,” she said. She further revealed that Rajesh Khanna had rejected a lucrative offer to buy the property despite facing health issues.
“He received an offer of Rs 150 crore when it was not doing well, but he refused to sell it. He said, ‘I want to turn this into a museum’. He wanted this museum to last for 100 years.” Speaking about Aashirvaad’s eventual demolition after his death, Anita expressed her sadness, saying: “When the house was demolished, I died with him.”In a previous conversation with Rediff in 2013, Anita reflected on how Rajesh Khanna’s family became more involved in his life during his final months. She claimed that about a year before his death, his estranged wife Dimple Kapadia and daughters Twinkle Khanna and Rinki Khanna started visiting him regularly.“They would spend a few hours there. If I was out, they would call me and ask when I would be back so they could leave. When they came, I took care of them. I would tell them where his things were kept. Dimple didn’t even know who would come to the house to see him. I would tell her, and we were like friends. I was happy that his family came to him. It was difficult for one person to make a decision because he was sick, so I would consult with them as well.”
I was very afraid that his health would deteriorate. Anju Mahendroo would also sit with him from time to time. “We bonded very well,” she said.
Rajesh Khanna’s health continued to deteriorate
Anita also revealed how serious Rajesh Khanna’s condition was in his final days. According to her, doctors close to him have already warned that the veteran actor might die at any moment. “The doctors told us he could go at any time. He became very weak, started hallucinating, and couldn’t understand things,” she recalls.Remembered for his unforgettable performances in classics like ‘Anand’, ‘Aradhana’, ‘Amar Prem’ and ‘Kati Patang’, Rajesh Khanna remains one of the most iconic stars of Indian cinema, with his legacy continuing to inspire generations of film lovers.