H.N. Bahuguna and Rajesh Khanna lived in the same bungalow

Though my entire life was dedicated to social life and politics I joined journalism later on.

During my journey of the last four decades while I had been in close proximity to several leaders and personalities from time to time but frankly speaking political stalwart H. N. Bahuguna and the first and orginial super star and Member of Parliament, Rajesh Khanna impressed me the most, the fact being that both of them were the unparalleled kings in their own fields and maintained dignity, principles and professional reputation to the extent possible as far as my personal opinion and thinking goes. Lots of my friends may not agree with me but according to my personal opinion and experience gathered during my prolonged association with both these legends of Indian politics and Bollywood, I would not hesitate to say that both of them have carved a niche for themselves after long after relentless struggles and hard work and became immortal by selflessly working and serving one and all for the good of the society and people through out their lives.

Sunil Negi with H. N. Bahuguna

One through his proactive role and contribution in the sociopolitical field and another through entertainment of the vast humanity as an outstanding first and original superstar. My heartfelt richest tributes. And what’s a coincidence about these leaders (who are not with us physically) is that both of them had the same bungalows while they were member of Paliament and the address of the officially allotted bungalow was 81 Lodhi estate, New Delhi.

I also fondly remember that when eminent celebrity of Bollywood Amitabh Bachchan had contested from Allahabad against H. N. Bahuguna defeating him, the later had spoken to Kaka earlier from 81 Lodhi estate during his election, to convince him (Kaka) on phone to come out in his support but Kaka then not being in active politics and Congress minded, perhaps could not make it. It may be recalled that Amitabh and Rajesh Khanna had professional rivalry those days as the former had surpassed Kaka professionally. I was very much there with late Bahugunaji in the lawns of 81 Lodhi estate gossiping with this great leader in the presence of the then MP from Tehri Garhwal, Trepan Singh Negi. I can recall how Bahugunaji’s secretary Rehman came to him saying that the line to Bombay got connected and Rajesh Khanna is on line. Since those days there were no mobile phones or shifting phones Bahugunaji got up from the lawn to his Secretary’s office and talked to super star Rajesh Khanna.

I could hear the conversation as Bahugunaji’s phone had a long chord of few metres and he was talking to him loudly outside the office carrying the phone receiver, a few metres away.

Thrilling meetings with Superstar Rajesh Khanna