Early Success (1966-1974)
Rajesh Khanna joined the film industry after winning an All India Talent Contest through a nation-wide selection procedure. He made his film debut in the 1966 film Aakhri Khat, followed by Raaz opposite heroine Babita, but neither was a major success. He was noticed for his performance in his next filmBaharon Ke Sapne followed by box office successes like Aurat (1967), Khamoshi, and Aradhana (1969) were more successful at the box office. Established as a popular protagonist, he appeared in many romantic, melodramatic and social films, often appearing with the same actresses - such as Sharmila Tagore, Mumtaz, Hema Malini and Asha Parekh.
During the peak of his career, he would be mobbed during public appearances. Fans kissed his car, which would be covered with lipstick marks, and lined the road, cheering and chanting his name. Female fans sent him letters written in their own blood.
Several of the popular songs sung by Kishore Kumar in the 1970s were based on Khanna and were mostly composed by R.D.Burman.
Rajesh Khanna had a consecutive 15 hits in a row between 1969 to 1972 . Films are Aradhana(1969), Do-Raaste(1969), Bandhan(1969), Doli(1969), Saccha Jhuta(1970), Kati Patang(1970), Aan Milo Sajna(1970), Safar(1970), Anand(1970), The Train(1970), Haathi Mere Saathi(1971), Dushman(1971), Maryada(1971), Andaz(1971), Amar Prem(1971)Apna Desh(1972). He continued the magic with Daag(1973), Namak Haraam(1973), Prem Nagar(1974), Aap Ki Kasam(1974) and Roti(1974) with silver jubilee hits but the phenomenal craze started diminishing in term of box office results of his films in mid 70s (1976-78)growing to various factors including his sudden marriage, emerging teenage hero Rishi Kapoor, changed trend of cheap taste multistar violent action films for front benchers, introduction of Video in India, resulting decrease in number of family audiences, etc.
