Archive · 17 Jan 2026
Rajesh Khanna's Reluctance and Sharmila Tagore's Conflict in Aradhana
In 1965, Rajesh Khanna won a talent contest and was signed to a 12-film contract.
One of these films was Aradhana, which he was initially reluctant to do because he thought it was heroine-oriented.
The director, Shakti Samanta, convinced him to take the role, and it became a huge hit.
During the film's premiere, Khanna's stardom skyrocketed.
Meanwhile, Sharmila Tagore, who starred alongside Khanna, had to leave the shoot of another film, Mere Sapno Ki Rani, to work with the renowned director Satyajit Ray.
This caused some tension, but she managed to balance both commitments.
Rajesh Khanna won the Filmfare Talent Contest in 1965 and was signed to a 12-film contract.
Khanna was initially reluctant to star in Aradhana, believing it to be heroine-oriented.
Director Shakti Samanta convinced Khanna to take the role, which became a superhit.
Khanna's stardom skyrocketed post the film's premiere in Delhi.
Sharmila Tagore left the shoot of Mere Sapno Ki Rani to work with Satyajit Ray, causing a temporary setback.
- Who
- Rajesh Khanna, Sharmila Tagore, Shakti Samanta, Satyajit Ray
- What
- Rajesh Khanna's initial reluctance to star in Aradhana and Sharmila Tagore's conflict with film schedules
- When
- 1965
- Where
- India
- Why
- Rajesh Khanna believed the film was heroine-oriented; Sharmila Tagore had a prior commitment with Satyajit Ray
- Film
- Aradhana
- Year
- 1965
- Director
- Shakti Samanta
- Lead Actors
- Rajesh Khanna, Sharmila Tagore
- Producer
- United Producers
- Initial Reluctance
- Rajesh Khanna initially reluctant to star in Aradhana
- Premiere Impact
- Rajesh Khanna's stardom skyrocketed post-premiere
- Sharmila's Conflict
- Sharmila Tagore left shoot for Satyajit Ray's film