MUMBAI, July 19: Rajesh Khanna was given a tearful adieu today by family, fans and film fraternity, as thousands of mourners thronged the streets here under heavy rains to have a last glimpse of Bollywood’s first superstar during his final journey.
Amid poignant scenes, the 69-year-old star, who died yesterday at his “Aashirwad’ home, two days after he was discharged from Lilawati hospital, was cremated at the Pawan Hans crematorium in Juhu.
The last rites were performed by Khanna’s grandson Aarav, with father Akshay by his side.
Although the cause of Khanna’s death was not officially announced by the family or doctors at Lilawati hospital, those close to the actor hinted at a liver problem.
“He had liver infection….He had liver problem. He had stopped eating food…as he couldn’t eat anything. During the last stage of his life, he was on liquid like juice,” Vijay Zaveri, Khanna’s close friend, told reporters.
As admirers paid glowing tributes to Khanna, who was fondly called ‘Kaka’, there was chaos outside the crematorium with hundreds of people converging there and jostled with the police.
Slogans like “Rajesh Khanna amar rahe” rent the air while several mourners carried posters of the “King of Romance”, who acted in around 170 films, mainly in the lead role.
Many Bollywood personalities including Amitabh Bachchan, his son Abhishek, Manoj Kumar, Rani Mukherjee and Karan Johar turned up at the crematorium to pay their last respects.
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