Keeping Rajesh Khanna’s Riyasat alive

Mumbai: Superstar Rajesh Khanna’s last film Riyasat will be released on his second death anniversary, on July 18. And while the film’s producers were keen on Dimple Kapadia or someone else from his family to help in the film’s promotions, no one seemed keen.

Ultimately it was Anita Advani, who had a live-in relationship with Rajesh Khanna from 2000, who extended her support to Riyasat. “I do not know whether Kakas’ family was asked to support his last film. But I am here to support it,” says Anita.

Talking about the past, Anita says that Rajesh Khanna’s house was in a sorry state when she moved it. “I was blamed for fighting a court case to get a pound from his Riyasat. And I am happy that his last film Riyasat is releasing.

About the court case, Anita says, “I’m fighting a court case against the family only for one thing. Kaka wanted to turn his bungalow into a museum. I had put my heart and soul to renovate the bungalow. Everything from the carpets to the walls were in a shabby, tattered and torn condition.”

She continues, “Kaka was a romantic at heart. We would both wear raincoats and walk down the road and also sit on the benches of Bandstand in the rain opposite his bungalow. As nobody would recognise us we would sit and enjoy the monsoon for hours together.”

Talking about his last days, Anita says, “His family members tried to throw me out of the house during his last days. What hurt me the most was that earlier his family would talk to me nicely. But as soon as he fell sick, they tried to humiliate me. Kaka did not make his will. He decided to live with me because he could not get married to me. 

However, one evening before we started the live-in relationship, he had applied sindoor on my head. I am not interested in any property but yes, I want Ashirwad (Rajesh Khanna’s bungalow) to become a museum as it was his wish.”