Mumbai: In the realm of Indian television, Bigg Boss remains a show steeped in controversy and star-studded participation. Known for bringing the private lives of celebrities into the glaring spotlight, the show commands significant attention from audiences nationwide. With each passing season, the excitement and intrigue only seem to grow. As fans eagerly anticipate the latest season, hosted once again by Salman Khan, scheduled to commence on October 6, 2024, intriguing stories from the show’s past continue to surface.
One such fascinating narrative involves none other than the legendary megastar from the 1970s, Rajesh Khanna. Known for his charming presence and formidable acting prowess, Khanna left an indelible mark on the Indian film industry. However, his association with the world of reality television was nearly scripted when the producers of Bigg Boss approached him with an extraordinary proposition. They invited Rajesh Khanna to join the game’s colorful roster of participants, offering him a staggering Rs 3.5 crore for every episode he would appear in. Despite the impressive financial pitch, Khanna declined the invite.
Veteran journalist Ali Peter John reminisces about this captivating episode. He detailed his involvement in the attempts to bring Khanna to the Bigg Boss house. According to John, the conversation was initiated by the producers who reached out to him, hoping he could facilitate a meeting with the superstar. “Once, the makers of Bigg Boss called me to arrange a meeting with him; they wanted him in the Bigg Boss house. But he said, ‘Nahin, nahin, Rajesh Khanna aise show thodi karega (Rajesh Khanna won’t work in such shows),'” John recalls, underlining Khanna’s reluctance to engage with reality TV’s unpredictable and exposing nature.
John further elaborated on the attempts to persuade Khanna, reflecting on the producers’ willingness to go to great lengths financially, yet meeting only with repeated refusals. “I tried to convince him, but he said no.
. The Colors people told me they were willing to pay him Rs 3.5 crore for every episode he appeared in, but he said no,” John emphasized, illustrating the resolve with which Khanna adhered to his principles.
Interestingly, the narrative takes a surprising turn. John recounts an incident when, days later, Khanna expressed a change of heart and showed interest in participating. He reportedly contacted John, expressing a newfound willingness to join the show. Yet, by then, the channel’s interest had waned. “A few days later, he called me and said he wanted to do the show, but by then Colors had lost interest,” John hesitated as he recalled this twist of fate.
The plot thickens with suggestions about why Khanna might have declined the initially lucrative offer. It’s posited that the season in question was hosted by none other than Khanna’s stalwart rival, Amitabh Bachchan. Their rivalry was legendary and often speculated to run deeper than mere professional competition. According to John, Khanna’s aversion to being under the same roof as Bachchan may have been a significant factor influencing his decision. The implication that Khanna wanted to avoid appearing in close proximity to his rival adds another layer of intrigue to this already captivating tale.
Moreover, John offers a poignant glimpse into the personal struggles of Khanna during this period, recounting how the star battled severely with alcohol addiction. Their conversations, John reflects, underscored the silent battles Khanna fought and how this internal turmoil perhaps fueled his reluctance to further expose his vulnerabilities on a platform like Bigg Boss.
As we await the new season of Bigg Boss, stories such as this one, involving larger-than-life figures like Rajesh Khanna, continue to entertain, intrigue, and echo through time. These narratives not only reflect the dynamics within the glamorous world of showbiz but also offer a lens through which we can explore the lives and decisions of its most iconic figures.
