Rajesh Khanna's 1974 Comeback: Two Films Challenged Amitabh's Rise
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News18•29-01-2026, 16:32
Rajesh Khanna's 1974 Comeback: Two Films Challenged Amitabh's Rise
- •The 1970s marked a shift in Bollywood, with Rajesh Khanna's romantic era fading and Amitabh Bachchan's 'Angry Young Man' emerging after 'Zanjeer' (1973).
- •In 1974, Rajesh Khanna released two successful films, 'Ajnabee' and 'Roti', which temporarily halted Amitabh's growing dominance.
- •'Ajnabee', a musical thriller with Zeenat Aman, reaffirmed Khanna's romantic appeal, while 'Roti' showcased him in an action role, venturing into Amitabh's territory.
- •The success of these films led to speculation that Khanna might reclaim his superstar status, especially as some of Amitabh's 1974 releases had less impact.
- •However, this 'coup' was short-lived, as Amitabh Bachchan's 'Deewaar' and 'Sholay' in 1975 solidified his superstardom and redefined Indian cinema.
Why It Matters: Rajesh Khanna's 1974 hits 'Ajnabee' and 'Roti' briefly challenged Amitabh Bachchan's rise before 1975's blockbusters cemented Amitabh's reign.
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