Sanjeev Kumar was an extremely talented and successful actor of his generation. The veteran actor is loved by millions even today for his versatility and beautiful portrayal of characters on screen. He was known for breaking the stereotypical image of a 'hero' in the 70s and 80s. Sanjeev Kumar, aka Harihar Jethalal Jariwala started his career in the Hindi film industry with Hum Hindustani in 1960. Later, he carved his name in the film industry by working on blockbuster films like Sholay, Seeta Aur Geeta, Aandhi, Angoor, Khilona, Silsila, Shatranj Ke Khilari and many more. However, after enjoying a larger-than-life journey, Sanjeev Kumar left the world on November 6, 1985, after suffering from a heart attack.
The superstar of the Hindi film industry, Rajesh Khanna was in a happy relationship with the actress, Anju Mahendroo. The duo were reportedly in a live-in relationship for seven long years, from 1966 to 1972. However, the duo broke up in 1972, after Anju allegedly refused to get married to him. Just after their breakup, rumours about Anju being in a relationship with Sanjeev Kumar made rounds in the tabloids. And it created a lot of mess in the actress' life as Rajesh Khanna was not happy with the news.
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In an old interview with Filmfare, Anju opened up about her dating rumours with Sanjeev Kumar and revealed her ex-boyfriend, Rajesh Khanna's reaction to the same. Talking about it, she mentioned that her relationship rumours with Sanjeev Kumar didn't go well with Rajesh Khanna, and he believed whatever was being spread. Anju stated that she was never attracted to Sanjeev Kumar because, for her, he was always her mother's brother.
However, Anju revealed that years later, when Sanjeev Kumar and Rajesh Khanna worked together on a film, the latter slapped the former really hard out of sheer jealousy. Mentioning how the two actors never got along, Anju said:
"I was never attracted to Hari. For me, he was my mother’s brother. In fact, there was one actress who had told everyone that I was having an affair with Hari. My ex-boyfriend believed that I had a relationship with Hari and long after we had broken off he nursed the misconception. Years later, when Hari and he worked together in a film and he had to slap Hari in a scene, he gave a really hard one. Hari and he never got along."
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Further, in the same interview, Anju revealed how Sanjeev Kumar gave her moral support after her breakup with Rajesh Khanna. Talking about the same, she mentioned that Sanjeev Kumar was like a brother to her. Elaborating more about it, she said:
"As soon as my ex-boyfriend and I split, Hari (Sanjeev Kumar’s real name) and Basuda (Bhattacharya, director) came home. I said, ‘Hello, this is no condolence meeting’, Hari was always there for me like a brother."
Sanjeev Kumar shocked the entire nation when he left for his heavenly abode on November 6, 1985. However, what was more shocking about his death was the fact that the actor actually predicted his last day on the earth. Hanif Zaveri, the author of the book, An Actor's Actor: The Authorised Biography of Sanjeev Kumar had revealed a conversation with Sanjeev Kumar and mentioned that the actor had mentioned that he would not live beyond 50. For the unversed, Sanjeev Kumar's prediction turned true when he passed away at the age of 47 in 1985. In Sanjeev Kumar's words:
"I am not going to turn old, as I will not live beyond 50, much like the men in my family. So, I might as well experience old age on screen."
What do you think about Sanjeev Kumar and Rajesh Khanna's heated episode revealed by Anju Mahendroo? Let us know!
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