Angry composer told Rajesh Khanna his stardom is over: ‘He started drinking, had tantrums’

Music composer Anu Malik has shared a striking memory of a confrontation with the late Bollywood superstar Rajesh Khanna, an incident he believes marked a turning point in the actor's career. Speaking on the television show Indian Idol 14, Malik recounted a tense meeting over the music for the film Red Rose.

A Contentious Music Session

According to Malik, he was summoned to Rajesh Khanna’s residence to present the songs he had composed for the movie. Upon arrival, he found the actor drinking. After listening to the compositions, Khanna dismissed them, an act that provoked a strong reaction from the composer.

Malik described feeling angered by the superstar's response and, in a moment of frustration, told Khanna directly that his era of stardom was coming to an end. This bold statement to one of Bollywood’s most powerful figures stemmed from what Malik perceived as a lack of respect for his creative work.

The Aftermath and an Actor's Decline

Reflecting on the event, Malik suggested his prediction came to fruition. He attributed the subsequent wane in Khanna’s career not to a single incident but to the actor's behavior, which he characterized by drinking and tantrums. The composer implied that this conduct ultimately overshadowed Khanna's immense talent and popularity.

The film at the center of the dispute, Red Rose, was a remake of a Tamil movie and was directed by Bharathiraja. Malik's anecdote offers a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the power dynamics and creative clashes that could occur between established stars and other industry professionals during that period of Indian cinema.

Industry Context

This recollection highlights the high-stakes environment of Bollywood, where professional relationships and personal conduct can have significant career implications. The clash between a reigning superstar and an assertive composer underscores the creative tensions that often exist behind the camera. While presented from Malik's perspective, the story serves as a case study on the pressures faced by artists at the peak of their fame and the challenges of collaboration in a star-driven industry.