The Superstar Rajesh Khanna isn't any more

From the dizzying heights of fame to quiet shadows behind the arclights, Rajesh Khanna's life had a theatrical sweep, similar to one among his films. Bollywood's original superstar - simply the phenomenon to a couple - died in Mumbai Wednesday, forsaking memories cast in celluloid of that famous crooked smile and head tilt. He was only 69.

His funeral may be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, family sources said.

Kaka, as he was popularly known, is survived by wife Dimple Kapadia and daughters Twinkle and Rinke. The actor's son-in-law Akshay Kumar has returned to India from a shooting stint abroad.

The veteran actor have been battling with health issues for a very long time and was frequently admitted to hospital within the previous couple of months.

In April, he was admitted to hospital as a result of weakness and fatigue but was discharged in three to four days. He was again rushed to the Lilavati Hospital June 23 and discharged after being treated for 2 weeks.

A week later he was again taken to the hospital after he complained of weakness, but was discharged soon after.

In an era long before this age of instant connect of cell phones and internet, Rajesh Khanna was the person who sparked a frenzy never seen before and not since, not even by the likes of Amitabh Bachchan.

His very name spelt magic within the 1970s. He sparked hysteria, particularly amongst his legions of girls fans, who would line the street for a glimpse, chant his name, cover his car with lipstick marks or even write him letters in blood. They got married to his photograph, cut their finger, let the blood flow and applied 'sindoor'.

Truly, "O mere di ke chain"!

Kaka, as he was popularly known, was some of the highest paid actors of his time, his record of consecutive solo super hits still unbroken. Who can forget the years between 1970-1979 when he starred in mega hits like "Safar", "Kati Patang", "Sachaa Jhutha", "Aan Milo Sajna", "Anand", "Amar Prem" and "Mere Jeevan Saathi". Ever the urbane, suave romantic who wooed like few others.

Glory and fame galore came his way with the 2 1969 films - "Aradhana" and "Do Raaste" - where he teamed up with two of his best co-stars, Sharmila Tagore and Mumtaz, respectively. Both the flicks were super hits. Hindi film's first superstar was born.

Between "Aradhana" in 1969 and "Prem Kahani" in 1975, Rajesh enjoyed god-like status.

It was all about charisma - a definite something that went beyond the art of acting. He had that unique way of delivering a dialogue, of crinkling his eyes and that interesting head tilt that were all his own - and designed to get fans swooning.

Describing the charm of Rajesh Khanna, Amitabh once said: "I got famous purely because I USED TO BE working with Rajesh Khanna in 'Anand'. People asked me questions like, 'How is he to have a look at? What does he do?'"

The mega story had a small beginning in Amritsar. Born Jatin Arora on Dec 29, 1942, he was adopted and raised by foster parents.

He went from being Jatin to Rajesh, way to his uncle who changed his name, when he decided to sign up for films.

In 1965, the adventure to filmdom started after he won the All India Talent Contest organised by United Producers and Filmfare. He made his debut with "Aakhri Khat" in 1966.

It was a reasonably easy road to superstardom after that.

He became the heartthrob of the nation, singing timeless melodies like "Mere Sapnon Ki Rani..." in "Aradhana", "Zindagi Ek Safar" in "Andaaz" or "Yeh Shaam Mastani" in "Kati Patang". Singer Kishore Kumar and composer R.D. Burman were amongst his closest friends.

In his four-decade career, he appeared in about 160 films, of which 106 had him because the solo lead hero and 22 were two hero projects.

Rajesh proved his mettle in offbeat films too. He teamed up with Hrishikesh Mukherjee for the critically acclaimed "Bawarchi" and "Namak Haram". The quintessential romantic also did the serious "Avishkar", directed by Basu Bhattacharya.

But then age caught up and the star began fading away.

He moved to television and played the principle lead in two serials - "Ittefaque" and "Apne Paraye" during 2001-02 and in addition featured in "Raghukul Reet Sada Chali Aayi" between 2008-09.

The decline to B-grade films was inevitable. There has been also the sorry "Wafa" with Laila Khan, who was found murdered this July.

He dabbled in politics, being Congress MP from the brand new Delhi constituency from 1991-1996.

Like the Hollywood legends of yore, the private life also had a bigger than life dimension.

He fell in love with Dimple Kapadia, who was only 16 and whose first film "Bobby" was yet to release. She was 15 years younger to him however the pull was strong and so they got married after a whwhirwind romance in 1973.

It was the stuff of tabloid headlines. That they had two daughters Twinkle and Rinke. The wedding lasted only 11 years.

It was a lonely life for Rajesh after that. He disappeared from the headlines and gave the look to be a shadow of his former self in his rare public appearances.

But the family came together in his last days. His estranged wife was the one that took care of him during his illness. Son-in-law Akshay Kumar was also a perfect comfort.

Rajesh reappeared in an ad a couple of months before his death, and again became the controversy of town - he was clearly unwell however the zest in his voice was intact as he intoned "Babumoshai" from his much loved film "Anand".

Like Anand from the film, the person is gone. However the memories will continue to exist.