Rajesh Khanna’s ‘Aashirwad’ shouldn’t be renamed: Anita Advani

Zeenews Bureau

Mumbai: Indian cinema’s first superstar Rajesh Khanna, might have transcended to heaven, but has left an inedible impact on his huge fan following. The late actor’s abode in Bandra, ‘Aashirwad’ has been under much speculation post his death- over its ownership and its supposed conversion into a museum. The latest buzz doing the rounds says that ‘Ashirwad; might be renamed to ‘Vardaan’ and this hasn’t gone down well with the alleged ladylove of the late superstar, Anita Advani. Talking to a leading daily, Advani said, “If the rumours are true, it would hurt Kakaji`s (Rajesh Khanna`s) soul," quipped Anita Advani, adding that "Aashirwad is synonymous with Rajesh Khanna”. Narrating how dear the name ‘Aashirwad’ was to Khanna, Advani said, “Kakaji used to fondly remember and tell me how the bungalow was named Aashirwad. When they were looking for a new name for the bungalow, his father had thought for a long time and then suggested the name Aashirwad. Kakaji has mentioned that his father said, `You`ll be a star and people will write letters and fan mail to you. Whenever they write your name on the letters, they will write the words - Rajesh Khanna Aashirwad. So in a way, they would always be giving you their Aashirwad (blessings).` That was the lovely thought behind the name”. She also asserted that Khanna had desired to convert his bungalow into a museum for his fans. “Kakaji used to say that this (Aashirwad) was the `most favourite` name given by his father. The bungalow was also his most prized possession, which he wished to convert into a museum and his last wish should be fulfilled. In fact, together, over the years, we both designed its interiors with a long-term plan to convert it into a museum,” Advani said.