Rajesh Khanna may have stepped away from the dizzying highs of superstardom long before his final years, but according to filmmaker R Balki, the legend never lost what truly defined him — professionalism, humour, and dignity. In a recent reflection, Balki opened up about directing Khanna in his last-ever advertisement, a memory he describes as deeply emotional and unforgettable.
“I Never Called Him Kaka, Only Sir”
Balki recalled approaching Rajesh Khanna with immense respect, addressing him simply as “Sir.” The ad, shot for a popular fan brand, was conceptualised around nostalgia — Khanna reminiscing about his once-massive fan following, before cheekily revealing that even if crowds weren’t around anymore, he still had “fans” with him — ceiling fans, that is.
The spot famously ended with Khanna whistling “Yeh Shaam Mastani”, a gentle callback to Kati Patang that instantly struck an emotional chord with audiences when the ad released in 2012, after his passing.
A Sense of Humour Till the Very End
When Balki read out the script, he was initially unsure how the actor — already unwell — would react. But Khanna laughed it off. When Balki hesitated, worried whether the joke might feel too close to reality, Khanna responded with trademark wit, reminding him that no one becomes a superstar without a sense of humour.
It was that lightness, Balki said, that stayed with him.
Shooting Under Unimaginable Conditions
By the time the ad went on floors a few months later, Rajesh Khanna’s health had deteriorated significantly. Balki revealed that the actor flew to Bengaluru in an air ambulance, arrived on set in a wheelchair, and had an IV drip attached.
Yet, once cameras rolled, Khanna transformed.
The drip would be removed, he would stand up, perform flawlessly for 45 seconds, and then return to rest. Balki ended up with less than seven minutes of usable footage to craft a one-minute commercial — something he described as unheard of in advertising.
“We’ll Do a Film Together”
Despite everything, Khanna watched the final cut and was happy. In a moment that still lingers with Balki, the actor told him they would make a film together someday. A few weeks later, Rajesh Khanna passed away.
Balki admitted he never witnessed Khanna’s peak years in the 1960s and early ’70s — the era that made him India’s first superstar. Instead, he met him at his most vulnerable. Thin, fragile, and fully aware that time was running out.
Cinema, Stardom, and Perspective
Balki also acknowledged that he had personally been more drawn to Amitabh Bachchan, Khanna’s Anand co-star who later became Hindi cinema’s defining star of the next decade. But he viewed that transition with perspective rather than comparison — calling it part of cinema’s natural cycle.
Notably, Bachchan has featured in every R Balki film, from Cheeni Kum and Paa to Shamitabh, Padman, Chup, and Ghoomer.
Final Words
R Balki’s memory of Rajesh Khanna isn’t about faded fame — it’s about commitment, humour, and grace under unimaginable physical strain. In his final performance, even for a one-minute ad, Khanna proved that superstardom isn’t about crowds. It’s about showing up, no matter what.
