OLD MEMORIES DIE HARD. WHEN KAKA GAVE INTERVIEW TO A REPORTER AT 2.00 AM AT HIS VASANT KUNJ FLAT

Today, I am again feeling like writing on Kakaji, Rajesh Khanna the super star of millenium.

An actor par excellence, unparalleled, real first super star with outstandingly mesmerising personality, a unique and stylish legend of Bollywood who carried behind him an era and still fresh in everybody’s mind blossoming like a fresh rose never ever to be erased from the minds and hearts of his billions of Indian fans globally.

Kaka was Kaka, a true phenomena of Bollywood, a legend forever. I was lucky enough to have been in close proximity with him for at least a decade and thereafter as well, till he left for his eternal home.

Kaka was kind, warm hearted, humane, generous, as fragile emotionally as a child and as strong as a determined soldier on our borders fighting the enemy under odd situations and circumstances.

Kaka did about 225 films and gave several super duper hits, silver, golden and diamond jubiliees.

A heart throb of billions KAKAS’ never die. They are always immortal. I have had several ocassions to dine and drink with him, to share his Dunhill cigarettes and accompany him in hundreds of events and meetings.

It was quite obvious being his media advisor while he was the Congress party’s contestent and thereafter while he was an elected MP.

He had tremendous love and respect for those whom he loved from the core of his heart and I feel myself to be one of the luckiest.

There are number of personel experiences I had, while being in his close company.

Though he was a superstar till the end with his priorities and protocol fixed but would often compromise his flamboyance n personal protocols for friends like me.

Kakaji considered me as his brother than anything else and he would often give the proof of this relationship while introducing me to his colleagues say: ye mere chote bhai ki tarah hai. Jitna Negi ne mere liye kiya main kabhi bhoon nahi sakta. WOW.

I remember, in 1992 when Kaka filed the nomination papers against Shatrughan Sinha from New Delhi he came back tired to his Vasant Kunj residence and was closeted with his family Dimple, Twinkle and Rinki who had arrived the very evening from.Mumbai.

It was the midnight time. The leaders and supporters of Congress party who followed him till Vasant Kunj were slowly leaving the place and by then it was 1.00 am or even more.

I came down his house after bidding good night to Kakaji. Meanwhile, a young handsome reporter of Statesman who had been following all along namely Sanjay Kaw, now the bureau chief of The Asian Age met me who was desperate enough to interview Kaka.

He repeatedly requested me to arrange an interview. I was shocked. It was 2. 00 AM by that time and Kaka was all tired having booz and involved with his family upstairs.

Kaka’s security would not allow anyone to go upstairs and meet him as he had already asked not to allow anyone in.

I was in tizzy, what to do and what not. Being his media advisor, I do not want to annoy the reporter friend as well. I said wait.

I’ll try, thinking it’s neigh to impossible. I anyhow managed to talk to Kakaji who arrogantly sad Negi what r u talking? It’s 2 am now. I insisted and said that it will appear in the front page of statesman and would be useful from.the publicity angle. Kaka asked : How is it possible?

I said the newspaper has been stooped for print only for your interview. Kaka though angry and not in a mood could’nt annoy me and gave a green signal. I informed Sanjay Kaw. Happily and thrilled Sanjay went upstairs and interviwed Kaka in the mid of the night in the presence of Dimple Khanna and also introduced him to his star wife and children Twinkle n Rinki.

Sanjay Kaw was really a high spirited journalist who never lost hope and was credited to be the first young journalist to interview him after filing of the nomination papers at 2.00 AM and got it published on the front page of statesman to the surprise of KAKA, the next morning.

Sanjay had especially requested his editor to keep the print of the first page delayed. He went to office at 5 30 AM, filed the interview and the story and surprised everyone.

I appreciate KAKA’s kind gesture and generosity to acede to my request and give the interview at 2.00 AM despite his booz consuming time and being busy with his family who’d come from Mumbai the very dayn badly tired as well.

So generous and affectionate was KAKA for his friends or media who could spare time for an interview at the mid of the night despite his being badly tired.
Kaka was a very good human being despite his towering personality.

Once I was with Kaka all alone in his Vasany Kunj Druplex flat. Again a midnight. We drank. Kaka served me food. We sat together on the carpetted floor. Kaka served the food with his own hands. Compelled me to eat enough and would not let me do anything. That night I slept in his flat being too late.

He was truly a generous and a man with hospitability. Can you imagine Kaka taking out mutton and other stuff from he fridge. Heating them in the oven. Then immaculately bringing them on tray and serving me most affectionately. Amazing moments indeed.

I’ll be sharing with you many more personal experiences with him in the future.