In Mumbai, celebrity bungalows stand as iconic symbols of fame and fortune, dotting the landscape with their opulence and grandeur. These luxurious addresses, often nestled in exclusive neighborhoods like Bandra and Juhu, boast sprawling lawns, lavish interiors, and the latest amenities.
Aashirwad: Rajesh Khanna’s Legendary Home
One such bungalow is that of Rajesh Khanna, known as Aashirwad. It tells a story of success, love, heartbreak, illness, and all things emotional. Boasting an endless view of the sea, opposite the Bandra promenade, this iconic bungalow witnessed the peak of Khanna’s stardom in the 1970s.
The Early Owners: Bharat Bhushan and Rajendra Kumar
Legend has it that Bharat Bhushan was the first owner of this plush Bandra property. He reportedly bought it in the 1950s but had to sell it due to heavy losses. Often referred to as a haunted house, or “bhoot bangla,” this iconic property found no willing buyer despite its prime location and apparent dirt-cheap rate.
The property eventually caught the attention of Rajendra Kumar, who bought it for Rs. 60,000 after a friend’s suggestion. Short of money, Kumar struck a deal with filmmaker B.R. Chopra, agreeing to work in three films in exchange for an advance payment. He named the bungalow “Dimple” after his daughter. Success followed, and Kumar bought another bungalow in the neighborhood, also naming it Dimple.
Rajesh Khanna’s Purchase and Renaming
While establishing his Bollywood career, Rajesh Khanna saw this property as a promising investment. Believing that Rajendra Kumar’s success would rub off on him, Khanna persuaded Kumar to sell the bungalow for Rs 3.5 lakh. However, Kumar rejected Khanna’s request to retain the name “Dimple” as he had already named his Pali Hill bungalow by that name. Thus, the bungalow came to be known as “Aashirwad,” a blessing from God.
Aashirwad: A Witness to Stardom and Struggles
After moving to Aashirwad, Rajesh Khanna experienced a meteoric rise to fame, earning the crown of India’s First Superstar. The bungalow witnessed significant events, including the entry of 16-year-old Dimple Kapadia as his bride and the birth of their daughters, Twinkle and Rinke. Khanna even made appearances from the balcony with his son-in-law, Akshay Kumar. However, Aashirwad also saw Khanna’s fall from grace, with the actor spending his later years more at his Linking Road office than at the bungalow.
The Renaming and Legacy
A year after Khanna’s demise, the bungalow made headlines when it was renamed “Vardaan Aashirwad,” allegedly fulfilling the late actor’s last wishes and a vastu requirement. Despite the name change, Aashirwad remained synonymous with Rajesh Khanna. Fans continued to visit, paying homage to the legendary actor.
Controversies and Final Sale
Khanna’s last wish was reportedly to turn Aashirwad into a museum housing his memorabilia. After his death, his alleged partner Anita Advani was evicted by his family, leading to a legal dispute over the property’s sale. The controversy eventually settled, and the bungalow, once valued at Rs 225 crore, was sold for Rs 90 crore in 2014 to industrialist Shashi Kiran Shetty, executive chairman of Allcargo Logistics. Twinkle and Rinke, Khanna’s daughters, were the sole beneficiaries of the property, selling it two years after their father’s demise.
