Rajesh Khanna has been a superstar of his time before he resigned from films. After that he has been seen in important supporting roles. After a long time he came to play the lead role again in ‘Wafaa’. One does wonder why he accepted such kind of role with his intimate pictures all over the place. At the moment he is shooting for ‘Raghukul Reet Sadaa Chali Aayee’ which is a TV serial.

Excerpts from an Interview:

Why did you choose a film like Wafaa?

The film offered me a powerful script and a powerful role. I wanted to play the dynamic role which is not something that an actor gets t o do everyday. I wanted to play the role.

But those scenes?

The film undoubtedly was a bold script. But again the Censor Board passed it with a 'U' certificate. There were very minor cuts. I know you want to ask me I am doing such scenes at this age with a heroine half my age. In my career I had done 175 films which have been so beautifully oriented in terms of characterization.

Than why such a film now?

Those scenes were placed in the film because the subject demanded it. After watching a film it will be justified why I had done the film. The romantic scenes are not Bollywood, but Hollywood. I'm brave enough to say that to own up to it. I am not at all shy or even reluctant to say this: I am proud of those scenes because behind those scenes there is a story. I am not a fool that at this age to do a Hollywood style romance with an actress half my age. I am a very sensible guy. I have my head on my shoulders. I have no dearth of films.

But your fans are very disappointed.

It is not justified to judge a film seeing the photographs. Being Mr Rajesh Khanna I wouldn’t do anything that is a dishonor for me and below my dignity.  I have never done films of such kinds. For this film the story and subject demanded it. It is a very new kind of subject, and so I went for it. After watching the film it gets clear that it had to be this way! And it is not done deliberately or to attract audience into the theatre.

What are the kinds of reaction you have got from the film? 

We do our role and go away.  There is grace in every scene. I went from being an actor to a star, and then a superstar. My audience has made me who I am. I have their love and affection and I don't want to lose that.

Your co-star Laila Khan says you treated her like a daughter, was it difficult to do intimate scenes with her?

Laila might have said that but I don't say that. It is not a father-daughter relationship. It is two friends who could happen to be of a different age group but we are friends, we are colleagues and she is my heroine and the only difference is the age barrier.