By Hindustan Times
The late Rajesh Khanna’s ‘lady love’ Anita Advani, who reportedly had a long-standing live-in relationship with the megastar at his Bandra bungalow Aashirwad, is terribly upset, hearing the excitement in regards to the latemegastar’s bungalow being renamed Vardaan. “If the rumours are true, it would
hurt Kakaji’s (Rajesh Khanna’s) soul,” quipped Anita Advani, adding that “Aashirwad is synonymous with Rajesh Khanna”.
She particularly found the name-change talks upsetting, as she said, the name Aashirwad was given to the bungalow by Rajesh Khanna’s father.
“Kakaji used to fondly remember and tell me how the bungalow was named Aashirwad. After they were in search of a brand new name for the bungalow, his father had thought for a very long time after which suggested the name Aashirwad. Kakaji has mentioned that his father said, ‘You’ll be a celeb and those will write letters and fan mail to you. Whenever they write your name at the letters, they'll write the words – Rajesh Khanna Aashirwad. So in a way, they'd always be supplying you with their Aashirwad (blessings).’ That was the stunning thought behind the name,” reminisced Anita Advani.
Remembering her years with the megastar, Advani remarked, “Kakaji used to mention that this (Aashirwad) was the ‘most favourite’ name given by his father. The bungalow was also his most prized possession, which he wished to transform right into a museum and his last wish must be fulfilled. In fact, together, over the years, we both designed its interiors with a long-term plan to transform it right into a museum.”
Advani further added that she was “perturbed by the sudden name-change talks. What sense does it make? If it’s true, it’s a unusual move and doesn’t sound nice.”
Reacting to claims about her inquiring for a stake in Aashirwad, Advani’s spokesperson Dale Bhagwagar stated, “It’s false that Ms Advani has claimed a stake within the bungalow. But she has maintained that Mr Rajesh Khanna wished to show it right into a museum for his loving fans.”
