Rajesh Khanna declined Rs 3.5 crore per episode offer to appear in Bigg Boss as career hit rock-bottom, was rejected by channel when he agreed

Over the years, Bigg Boss has featured several popular movie actors past their prime. In an old interview, it was revealed that none other than Rajesh Khanna was also offered a spot on the reality show, and that the channel was willing to pay him a king's ransom.

By: Entertainment Desk

New Delhi | Updated: August 15, 2024 09:02 PM IST

3 min read

Rajesh Khanna passed away in 2012.

Stories of superstar Rajesh Khanna’s fall from grace are legendary. After dominating the Hindi film industry for years on end, Khanna’s career crumbled before his eyes as audiences switched their allegiance to the up-and-comer Amitabh Bachchan, and began to favour action-oriented movies over the dramas that Khanna was known for. But it was his rumoured arrogance that also influenced producers to stop betting on him.

His former wife, Dimple Kapadia, has spoken extensively about watching his disintegration first-hand, while other contemporaries have spoken about his behaviour on set. According to a 2012 Rediff article, journalist Ali Peter John recalled his interactions with Khanna over the years, and shared an anecdote about the actor scoffing at being offered a spot on the reality show Bigg Boss when his career had hit its nadir.

Also read – Rajesh Khanna warned Twinkle Khanna not to seek advice from her mom Dimple Kapadia before making acting debut: ‘You will only get more confused’

Ali Peter John recalled, “Once, the makers of Bigg Boss called me to fix a meeting with him; they wanted him in the Bigg Boss house. But he said, “Nahin, nahin, Rajesh Khanna aise show thodi karega (Rajesh Khanna won’t work in such shows).” Colors was reportedly willing to offer the actor Rs 3.5 crore per episode. “I tried to convince him, but he said no. The Colors people told me they were willing to pay him Rs 3.5 crore for every episode he appeared in, but he said no.” Ali recalled, adding, “A few days later, he called me and said he wanted to do the show, but by then Colors had lost interest.”

While Salman Khan took over as the host of Bigg Boss in 2010, the third season of the reality show was hosted by Khanna’s great rival, Amitabh Bachchan. In the same article, Ali Peter John recalled how insecure Khanna was of the emerging Bachchan, going to the extent of badmouthing him to his future wife, Jaya Bachchan, and ignoring him when he’d visit her on sets.

Ali said that he met Khanna a couple of months before his death, and ‘asked what had happened’. The actor replied, “Agar Ghalib daaru peekar mar sakta hain, toh main kyon nahin? (If the legendary poet Ghalib could die of excessive drinking, why can’t I)?” Rajesh Khanna passed away in 2012, and Ali Peter John died a decade later.

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