Rajesh Khanna struggled with alcohol addiction in later years: Anandji

Composer Anandji has shed light on the personal challenges faced by veteran actor Rajesh Khanna during the twilight of his career in Hindi cinema. Anandji, who worked with the actor during his heyday, indicated that Khanna's struggle with alcohol addiction contributed significantly to his difficulties in the industry.

According to Anandji, he had witnessed the actor's decline firsthand and did not shy away from being candid about it. The composer recalled having direct conversations with Khanna about the reality of his fading stardom, telling him plainly that his prime years had passed and his dominance in cinema had ended.

Anandji emphasized that Khanna's addiction problems exacerbated his professional challenges, making collaboration increasingly difficult. The revelation provides insight into the personal battles that plagued one of Hindi cinema's biggest stars during his later years, a sharp contrast to his golden period when he was among the industry's most sought-after leading men.

Rajesh Khanna, who rose to prominence in the late 1960s and dominated the 1970s with consecutive blockbusters, gradually saw his career decline from the 1980s onwards. His personal struggles during this period have since become part of cinema lore, with various contemporaries sharing accounts of the challenges he faced.