‘Rajesh Khanna could not face fading stardom, Amitabh Bachchan began doing character roles’: Prem Chopra

Veteran actor Prem Chopra has stated that Rajesh Khanna couldn’t take it properly when his stardom pale, and refused to change to character roles – one thing Amitabh Bachchan did properly in time and continues to rule the display even at this time. Prem was speaking to Bollywood Thikana when he recalled his youthful days and opened up about a few of his former colleagues. (Also learn: When Rajesh Khanna revealed Dimple Kapadia was not letting them divorce)

Rajesh Khanna could not take his fading stardom

Prodded a few comparability between Amitabh Bachchan and Rajesh Khanna, and their punctuality, Prem Chopra stated, “Amitabh Bachchan was always an intelligent and punctual actor. Rajesh Khanna was also a great actor, but he got this habit of reaching late all the time. Not everyone would take it when he landed late on sets. Hours after everyone reached and got ready, he would reach the sets. The producers would even ask him to have lunch before the shot, but he made sure he completed the day’s work.”

Amitabh’s selection of roles

Asked about Rajesh Khanna’s unwillingness to take up roles apart from people who may outline him as a celebrity, Prem Chopra stated, “He continued the same style (as the time when he was a superstar) and those films did not work either. That is why he had to (suffer a downfall in his fame). He could not face that thing – where I was and where I am now.

“Amitabh Bachchan had this factor – he took up character roles and what nice character roles did he get! I’m positive Rajesh Khanna would have additionally gotten nice character roles if he selected to take them up. Amitabh stays so busy even now – I’m stunned he’s way more busy than he was at a youthful age.” Prem added that Amitabh continues to work on TV, movies and likewise stays energetic on social media.

Recalling his movies with Rajesh Khanna, Prem Chopra stated he was the celebrity however distributors would additionally ask the makers ‘Great that you’ve Rajesh Khanna, however do you will have Prem Chopra within the movie?’.

Rajesh Khanna’s lack of punctuality

Asked concerning the rumours of Rajesh Khanna reaching late on units, Prem advised the YouTube channel that he didn’t have first hand info, however he had heard about it. The producer had employed a person to remain on the units and get crushed up when Rajesh Khanna reached late, Prem stated. He added that the producer would additionally ask the person ‘Do we not pay you sufficient to come back on time?’ That was alleged to be a message for Rajesh Khanna and the star quickly began reaching the units on time.

Asked about his function in Upkar that Rajesh Khanna was initially alleged to do, Prem stated that he was not the primary selection for the function. He additionally recalled that producers didn’t need Rajesh to play the function because it had adverse shades. Prem was then requested to do the function and he lastly give up his job with a newspaper. During the interview, Prem additionally stated that Manoj Kumar was coming back from the particular screening of Upkar when he wrote the fundamental story for Shaheed. The then prime minister, late Lal Bahadur Shastri watched Upkar and was so mesmerised by it that he requested Manoj Kumar to make related movies. Shaheed is claimed to be impressed by the previous PM’s well-known slogan Jai Jawan Jai Kisan.