Rajesh Khanna-Amitabh Bachchan rivalry left Rajat Bedi’s father in debt, made him alcoholic!

The early 1970s saw an iconic clash between two titans of Indian cinema- Rajesh Khanna, the reigning romantic superstar, and Amitabh Bachchan, the emerging “angry young man” after Zanjeer (1973). Although the two had earlier worked together in Anand, their camaraderie ended with Bachchan’s meteoric rise. They reunited in Namak Haraam, but Khanna accused Bachchan of “playing dirty politics” when the film’s climax was altered to favour Big B’s character.

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This professional rivalry didn’t just divide the film fraternity- it deeply impacted several filmmakers, including Narendra Bedi, the father of actor Rajat Bedi. The tension between the stars left Narendra Bedi burdened with debts and led to his tragic downfall.

Narendra Bedi’s Ill-fated Career Turn

A celebrated filmmaker, Narendra Bedi had directed some of Bollywood’s most beloved hits like Benaam, Adalat, Jawani Deewani, Bandhan, and Sanam Teri Kasam. Despite a flourishing career, he became a casualty of the industry’s backstage politics and professional rivalries.

In a recent interview with Siddharth Kannan, Rajat Bedi, who recently made a comeback with Aryan Khan’s The Ba***ds of Bollywood, revealed how his father’s downfall began when he got entangled in the Khanna-Bachchan feud.

Having worked with both actors, Narendra Bedi reportedly faced misunderstandings that affected his career.

Abandoned Films and Mounting Pressure

Narendra Bedi started several projects with Rajesh Khanna, but they never materialized. Rajat recalled that his father would travel to Pune with entire production units and wait for days, only for Khanna to not show up.

Those stalled projects led to devastating financial losses. Coupled with unpaid debts from his grandfather’s ventures, the setbacks pushed him into depression and alcoholism.

“For 10 to 15 days, Rajesh Khanna didn’t come and my father just closed the projects. I guess heroes at that time were problematic,” Rajat shared, hinting that the rivalry and professional conflicts destroyed his father’s spirit.

Descent into Alcoholism and Tragic End

Rajat revealed that his father’s lifestyle changed drastically during this period. Late-night parties with Rajesh Khanna turned into heavy drinking sessions that spiraled out of control. His deteriorating health and emotional turmoil began affecting both his personal and professional life.

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Rajat painfully recalled the day he lost his father- returning from school to see him collapse due to immense emotional and financial strain. The incident, he said, was a life-altering moment that still haunts him.