Legendary actor Rajesh Khanna laid to rest

Bollywood's first superstar Rajesh Khannas thousands of fans thronged his Bandra bungalow, Aashirwad, to catch a last glimpse of the veteran actor whose final journey started around 10 AM today. To give his fans and media persons, who have been queuing up outside his house since morning, a last opportunity to see their much-loved actor, Khanna's body was placed on a mini-truck in a transparent casket, wrapped with white flowers. The 69-year-old was cremated around 11:40 AM at the Pawan Hans crematorium here. Khanna, who was fondly called Kaka was accompanied by his estranged wife Dimple, daughters Twinkle and Rinke, son-in-law Akshay Kumar and his grandson Aarav on his last journey. Akshay Kumar and Twinkal Khannas son Aarav has given Mukhagni to the actor and performed the last rites. The yesteryear superstar had been ailing since April and his health deteriorated in May and he was on liquid intake. He died at his residence yesterday morning reportedly due to liver infection. A close friend of the actor told IANS, "His liver got infected. He could not digest his food after a certain point of time. During his last days, he could not take solid food so he was on liquid intake". Dimple said, On the July 14 he said, 'It's time to pack up'. So he lived it and realized that it was time to go." His son-in-law Akshay said, "He has gone to a nice and heavenly place, we are happy about that". Bollywood megastar and contemporary of Rajesh Khanna Amitabh Bachchan, and Khan trio Salman, Shah Rukh and Aamir had visited the stars home yesterday to pay their homage to the veteran actor. Big B was very sad and his eyes were moist. "His (Bachchan's) eyes were moist. He touched Kaka's feet and sat with Dimpleji," a source said. Shah Rukh, Salman and Aamir also paid their homage to the original superstar of the film industry. Besides them, actress Katrina Kaif, scriptwriter Salim Khan, Yash Chopra, Randhir Kapoor, Arbaaz and Malaika Khan, Rishi Kapoor, Goldie Behl, Anu Malik had also come to Aashirwad. Khanna was admitted to Lilavati Hospital on June 23 and after staying in the hospital for two weeks, he was discharged. The actor, who debuted in the film industry with Akhari Khat in 1996, has given numerous hits and brought the concept of superstardom in Bollywood. Some of his blockbuster movies are Aradhana, Kati Patang, Anand and Amar Prem.