Rajesh Khanna, India's first superstar, no more

Zeenews Bureau

Mumbai: Superstar Rajesh Khanna passed away on Wednesday afternoon at his residence Aashirwad in Mumbai. He was 69. He had been battling prolonged illness for a long time and finally had to bow down to it. The actor’s condition had been deteriorating since April when he stopped eating and had complained of weakness. He was admitted to Lilavati Hospital twice in the past month. The actor was discharged from the hospital on Tuesday but due to extreme weakness and low blood pressure, the actor was on ventilator since last night. The actor, who shot to stardom in the 1960s, was the first 'superstar' of Indian cinema. He made his debut in 1966 in 'Aakhri Khat' after winning a talent hunt contest. At the peak of his career, he delivered 15 consecutive solo hits, a feat which no other actor has achieved so far. He breathed his last in the presence of his wife Dimple Kapadia, daughters Rinkie and Twinkle, son-in-law Akshay Kumar, grand children and close relatives.His funeral will take place at 11 am tomorrow in Mumbai.