Bollywood’s first superstar Rajesh Khanna once rejected an offer from Salman Khan’s family to purchase his iconic bungalow Aashirwad, despite facing serious financial difficulties, according to a biography on the late actor, states News 18.
The revelation appears in Dark Star: The Loneliness of Being Rajesh Khanna, written by author Gautam Chintamani, which details Khanna’s life after his meteoric rise to fame in the early 1970s.
Khanna bought the sea-facing bungalow from veteran actor Rajendra Kumar for ₹3.5 lakh, and it later became one of Bollywood’s most recognisable residences.
According to the book, the property served as the centre of the actor’s stardom, where filmmakers would wait for hours hoping to meet him.
Chintamani describes Aashirwad as a palace-like residence where Khanna received producers in what was referred to as a “durbar.”
The author writes that the actor would often appear dressed in a silk lungi-kurta and sit on a raised chair, reinforcing his image as Bollywood’s reigning superstar.
The bungalow also became known for lavish gatherings attended by friends and industry figures.
However, Khanna’s fortunes changed after the release of Amitabh Bachchan’s Zanjeer in 1973, which marked a shift in audience preferences and gradually impacted his career.
As his film offers declined, the actor reportedly faced mounting financial pressure and considered selling Aashirwad.
According to the book, Sohail Khan, through screenwriter Rumi Jaffery, expressed interest in buying the property on behalf of the Khan family.
Chintamani claims the family made several attractive offers, including helping clear Khanna’s income tax dues.
Salman Khan also reportedly offered to work in a Rajesh Khanna production without charging a fee.
When Jaffery conveyed the proposal, Khanna reacted emotionally.
According to the book, the actor told the screenwriter, “I consider you a son-in-law and you want to sell my house? You want me on the streets?”
Jaffery later recalled that he had to explain he was simply delivering Sohail Khan’s message and was not personally involved in the proposal.
Rajesh Khanna, remembered for classics such as Anand, Aradhana, Amar Prem and Bawarchi, remains one of Hindi cinema’s most celebrated stars.
His iconic bungalow Aashirwad continued to symbolise his remarkable rise to superstardom, even during the difficult years that followed.
