Success can change the best way folks behave, and veteran composer Anandji Virji Shah of the Kalyanji-Anandji duo just lately mirrored on how he witnessed that transformation in Rajesh Khanna. Whereas recalling the actor’s early days and his rise to superstardom, Anandji additionally drew a distinction with Amitabh Bachchan, whom he stated remained grounded regardless of attaining immense success.Amitabh Bachchan had endured a number of setbacks and flops earlier than ‘Zanjeer’ in 1973 modified the course of his profession. The movie established him as considered one of Hindi cinema’s largest stars, and even at 83, he continues to stay energetic by way of his work.Rajesh Khanna’s journey was markedly totally different. He rose from humble beginnings to turn into Hindi cinema’s first main famous person, having fun with a unprecedented run on the field workplace. In accordance with Anandji, nonetheless, his angle underwent a big change as soon as he reached the height of his stardom.Anandji recalled that Kalyanji-Anandji had performed a job in supporting Khanna throughout the early part of his profession and had even beneficial him to filmmakers and producers.“At first, we had been selling him. It was our music in his movie Raaz. We pushed him, referred him to producers. We referred him for Sachaa Jhutha, saying he’ll click on with the viewers. Distributors would typically see ‘kaunsa ghoda chalne wala hai’ and since Kalyanji knew astrology, folks would typically take heed to his recommendations,” he stated in an interview with Vickey Lalwani.Kalyanji was recognized for his curiosity in Vedic astrology, and Anandji stated folks within the business typically valued his opinions. However as Khanna’s profession took off, Anandji seen a change in the best way individuals who had as soon as been near them behaved.“As time went, these individuals who as soon as addressed us as sir, modified. Now, they considered themselves as somebody nice. Anticipated folks to bow earlier than them,” he recalled.Anandji stated Amitabh Bachchan, in distinction, maintained the identical angle even after turning into a famous person.“One factor that units aside Amitabh Bachchan for all of them is that he at all times remained the identical. He has been like a pupil at all times. He by no means argues along with his administrators,” he stated.The veteran composer additionally spoke about Khanna’s consuming habits and alleged that the actor’s rising stardom got here with frequent tantrums.“Rajesh Khanna received hooked on alcohol. He would drink so much,” he stated.Anandji then recalled an incident involving the 1972 movie ‘Joru Ka Ghulam’. In accordance with him, Khanna attended the recording of a tune however later refused to shoot it.“This one time, he got here for the recording of a tune. After that, when he went on the set to shoot, he created a scene that he gained’t do the tune. I used to be like, then why did you ask me to come back? When you don’t wish to do it, don’t shoot. Edit it out,” he recalled.‘Joru Ka Ghulam’ was launched in 1972, two years after ‘Sachaa Jhutha’, which had emerged as one of many largest successes of 1970.Anandji additionally recounted one other interplay with Khanna associated to ‘Dushman’. He stated the actor as soon as known as him to take heed to a tune after which left after whistling.“Later, he known as me to listen to a tune from Dushman. He whistled and left. I used to be left confused. Then I requested, ‘Does he need a tune like this for a scene like that?’ What does he find out about course? We are going to put songs as per the necessity of the story,” he stated.The composer stated Khanna’s behaviour made him really feel that his interval of superstardom would finally come to an finish.“I knew that his prime is over and his success has come to an finish. I advised him that clearly. Now that you just suppose all of it, your days have come to an finish. This isn’t how one behaves. You will need to be grounded and let folks do their job,” Anandji stated.Years later, Anandji met Khanna once more after the actor’s profession had gone by way of a decline. He recalled that Khanna introduced up their previous disagreement.“When he lastly had his downfall, we met this one time. Rajesh Khanna requested me: ‘Anand Ji, has your anger subsided now?’ I advised him, the rationale why I used to be mad has occurred. Now, it’s pointless,” he recalled.At 93, Anandji stated what upset him most was the change he had witnessed in somebody he had recognized and supported throughout his early years.“Rajesh Khanna’s angle modified so much. First he addressed me as sir, now he anticipated folks to face up as a way to present him respect if he walked right into a room or set. For me, he was my little one solely. We solely pushed him as an actor,” he stated.Khanna made his performing debut with ‘Aakhri Khat’ in 1966 and labored with Kalyanji-Anandji for his second movie, ‘Raaz’. The duo subsequently beneficial him to filmmaker Manmohan Desai for ‘Sachaa Jhutha’ in 1970, which went on to turn into one of many yr’s highest-grossing movies.Khanna subsequently delivered a string of profitable movies and have become one of the influential stars of his era. Nevertheless, accounts from individuals who knew him, together with actors Mumtaz and Anju Mahendru, have additionally spoken about adjustments in his character throughout his years on the prime.Actor Tej Sapru, who labored with Khanna, as soon as recalled on The Rediff Podcast: “Rajesh Khanna had conceitedness. It occurs if you’re on the peak of your profession. Greater than you, it’s typically the folks round you whose heads get turned. That occurs.”