New multi storey building comes up at Kaka’s sprawling Bungalow Ashirvad’s place in Mumbai

A multistoreyed building has come up in place of Vardaan Ashirvad, the one time magnificient bungalow of the original and only Superstar of the millenium Rajesh Khanna, as recognised by billions of his fans globally. This new multistorey building near completion belongs to the owner Shashi Shetty, executive chairman of Mumbai based Allcargo Logistics who purchased Ashirvad from Kaka’s family after his sad demise for merely Rs 95 crores which was then quoted as the under rated price of the 6,500 square foot sea facing bungalow situated at Carter Road, Mumbai.

The abrupt sale of the Bungalow was the result of the then ongoing feud between Anita Advani (with whom the late star had a live in relationship) and the family of Rajesh Khanna, as the later were apprehensive about the valuable property. Anita had then claimed that the part proceeds of the sale of the property be given to her which was however denied by the court.

Ashirvaad was the Super star’s most likened Bungalow which he wanted to be converted into a memorial but after its demolition the super star of the millenium’s dreams have been razed to ground by his own family whom he loved so much. Ashirvaad was Kaka’s dream come true when he bought “Dimple” the earlier name of Ashirvaad for about 6 lakh rupees from the then popular hero Rajendra Kumar aka Jubilee Kumar who thought that it’s unlucky for him. Kaka was very fond of this house on whose main upper drawing room entrance he very lovingly fixed the huge picture decently framed consisting of Late prime minister Rajiv Gandhi voting for him in New Delhi alongwith Sonia Gandhi n him. A classic picture, the original negative of which was procured by me from one of the photo journalists of a leading Delhi paper after Kaka’s insistence.

Kaka named it Ashirvaad and felt it lucky for him as it was his stay here that since then his elevation as a Super star got a new flight. Kaka signed Hathi Mere Sathi exclusively to pay the advance money to Rajender Kumar which was Kaka’s precondition to sign the movie.

It was here that Kaka’s white Cheverolet/ Impala used to be kissed by hundreds of college going girls to convert it in a red or pink colour. It was here during his hey days as super star that a long bee line of Bollywoods director/ producers was formed to sign him for their movies. It was this house that saw Dimple’s exit after fued with Kaka. It was here that he was blessed with two lovely daughters. It was here that his one time lover besides Anju Mahendru, Tina Munim lived for several years and it was this very historic Ashivaad which once existed and where Kaka breathed his last on the black day of 16th July 2012 at the age of 70/71.

Today, Ashirvad is non existent leaving behind hundreds of memoroes of his hey days as the Super star of Millenium who made an outstanding mark in hundreds of films giving more than 25 super duper hits and still ruling the hearts of billions of his fans globally by his extraordinay and mesmerising histrionics.

A legend who never dies: He is none else but Rajesh Khanna ! I was also lucky enough to be at Ashirvad once and have the fragrance of its facinating environs while I was associated this towering film legend as his media advisor who considered me his younger brother, earnestly.

According to Bhupesh Raseen my close friend who remained in Kaka’s close proximity during n before his last days say:

Whenever I am in Mumbai, I just want to be there at “Aashirwad”, Carter Road where I have spent lot of time & many times stayed together with big brother, Rajesh Khanna ji.. While writing this post, I am still there opp. Aashirwad….. Missing Kaka ji badly..

Now there is no more “Aashirwad”. Present status of Aashirwad as per the below picture (today at 1:46 PM). ( picture of a new building with blue cover clicked by Bhupesh Raseen)
What’s your take, friends?