Remembering Ashirwad Bungalow once abode of ‘super star’ Rajesh Khanna
Remembering Ashirwad Bungalow once abode of ‘super star’ Rajesh Khanna
No doubt Bandra is credited as ‘Queen,’ of western suburb, home to Bollywood Celebrities.
Carter Road once upon a time boasted of a upon an iconic Bungalow “Ashirwad”that was owned by Super Star Rajesh Khanna.
Infact, the Bungalow was the pride of Carter Road, nestled near Addl. Comm. West Region‘s office, & a must visit place of millions of Kaka’s(Rajesh Khanna) fans.
The history of the Bungalow makes sounds quite interesting. Originally the Bungalow was owned by the veteran actor Bharat Bhushan. In 60’s the locals around Carter Road used to call the Bungalow a Bhoot bungalow or haunted house.
But yetl the Hindi Cinema ‘s Jubilee Kumar, Rajendra Kumar purchased it from Bharat Bhushan. Kumar’s Bungalow was then named after his daughter “Dimple”.
He sold the Bungalow to Rajesh Khanna In the year 1969 just for
Rs. 10 Lacs, & that to in installments.
Rajesh Khanna @ Kaka, wanted to retain the name of the Bungalow as “Dimple”, but Rajendra Kumar was against it. Hence after the completion of the deal, Kaka renamed the Bungalow as “Ashirwad” in 1971. His film production office was also known as Ashirwad Pictures Pvt Ltd.
Rajendra Kumar told Kaka(Rajesh Khanna) that the Bungalow may be Lucky for him. His blessings are always with him. “New Home may bring him immense luck and prosperity”, blessed Kumar, while handing over the property.
Kumar’s wife was reluctant to sell the bungalow, which they had purchased decade ago for Rs. 60,000/-
The Bungalow really turned out to be lucky for him as the year 1971 belonged to Rajesh Khanna. He topped the chart with Super hit films like ‘Haathi Mere Saathi’, ‘Maryada’, ‘Kati Patang’, ‘Mehboob ki Mehndi’ and the unforgettable master piece film ‘Anand’.
For Anand, Kaka got the Film Fair award of Best Actor in 1972.
Film Anand totally got 6 film fair Awards, including the best Actor Award.
Later on the Super Star Wed Dimple Kapadia in March 1973, before the release of her first film Bobby. Ashirwad Bungalow was really found to be the blessings for Kaka. He got two daughters, Twinkle & Rinke.
Khanna & Kapadia separated in 1982, but never got divorced.
Twinkle married Akshay Kumar.
The Super Star left the mortal world on 18 July
2012 at his Bungalow itself. His last words were “Time is up, Pack up”.
Ashirwad Bungalow was the landmark in Bandra for his millions of fans. But following his demise in 2012, his family sold out the Bungalow in 2014, for a reported sum of Rs. 90 Crores to a Business Tycoon, Shashi Kiran Shetty, who is the founder and chairman of All Cargo Logistics.
In 2016 the iconic Bungalow Ashirwad was demolished by the new owner, in order to build a 4 storey Building.
Ashirwad Bungalow has become the history now. Carter Road will definitely miss the iconic Bungalow’s existence & its memories.
If you remember the lines of the Super Star’s hit song from Film “Andaz”, “Zindagi ek safar hai suhana, yahan kal kya ho kisne jana?
News Edit KV Raman
