Rajesh Khanna almost said no to Aradhana- the film that sparked his unstoppable superhit streak!

In 1965, a young Rajesh Khanna won a prestigious talent contest that changed the course of his life. Soon after, he signed a 12-film contract with United Producers, an influential banner involving G P Sippy, Shakti Samanta and B R Chopra. Among those films was Aradhana, a project that would later redefine Hindi cinema and transform a promising newcomer into a nationwide obsession.

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Released in 1969, Aradhana marked the beginning of Rajesh Khanna’s historic run of 15 consecutive solo hits, an achievement unmatched even decades later. Yet, remarkably, this landmark film was one he was hesitant to accept.

“Main kya karunga?” - A Struggler's Uncertainty

At the time, Rajesh Khanna was still finding his footing in the industry. When he heard the narration, he felt the story revolved largely around the female protagonist. Unsure of his own space in the narrative, he reportedly questioned Shakti Samanta, “Main kya karunga?”

That hesitation nearly led him to walk away from the very film that would shape his destiny.

A Film Born Out of Circumstance

In a recent interview with Radio Nasha, Shakti Samanta’s son Ashim Samanta revealed that Aradhana came together unexpectedly. “Dad was supposed to make a film with Shammi Kapoor, but he had gained weight and asked for six months. At that time, my dad decided to make a new film,” Ashim recalled, pointing out that Rajesh Khanna was already committed to United Producers.

He added, “Sachin Bhowmik had narrated the story of Aradhana to my father almost a decade earlier. The fact that he still remembered the story made him feel it was good.”

How Rajesh Khanna Came On Board

To decide on the lead actor, Shakti Samanta reached out for an opinion. “My dad called Nasir Husain, who was making Baharon Ke Sapne, and asked if he could show one reel. When he watched it, he liked Rajesh Khanna and signed him.”

Still, conviction was missing. 

“When Rajesh Khanna heard the story, he said it was heroine-oriented. ‘Main kya karunga?’ Dad told him, ‘You do this, it will become a hit.’ He was not willing to do the film. He did it only because he was bound by United Producers. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have.”

The Evening That Changed Everything

Ashim recalled witnessing Khanna’s transformation during Aradhana’s charity premiere in Delhi. “We went for the charity premiere in Delhi. Jagjivan Ram was the chief guest. Rajesh Khanna was a newcomer—nobody was interested in him. People were only interested in Sharmila Tagore and the songs,” he said.

But the mood inside the theatre shifted dramatically.

“By interval, they had all become fans. And by the time the film ended, Rajesh Khanna had already become a star. The entire crowd surrounded him, asking for autographs,” he added.

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A Reluctant Yes That Changed Hindi Cinema

What began with hesitation, scheduling chaos and creative compromises ultimately resulted in Aradhana, the film that launched Rajesh Khanna’s unparalleled success streak and reshaped the very idea of stardom in Hindi cinema.