Salman Khan once offered to work for free for Rajesh Khanna

Mumbai: Bollywood superstar Salman Khan had once offered to work without remuneration in a film starring legendary actor Rajesh Khanna in an attempt to purchase Khanna’s iconic bungalow, Aashirwad, Indian media reports have revealed.

According to reports, during a difficult phase in Rajesh Khanna’s life marked by severe financial troubles, Salman Khan approached him with an offer to buy the famous bungalow and additionally proposed to act for free in one of Khanna’s films.

However, Rajesh Khanna reportedly doubted Salman’s intentions, rejected the offer, and accused him of attempting to financially and socially undermine him.

Rajesh Khanna had purchased Aashirwad in the early 1970s from actor Rajendra Kumar for Rs 350,000. Khanna believed that selling the house would weaken his standing, both financially and socially.

Author Gautam Chintamani, in his book Dark Star: The Loneliness of Being Rajesh Khanna, writes that after moving into Aashirwad, Khanna lived with a regal aura, often holding court while seated on a high chair, wearing his signature silk lungi and kurta. Only a select few were allowed access to the inner areas of the house, while close associates enjoyed long late-night gatherings marked by excessive admiration.

The book also notes that Khanna did not tolerate opinions that went against his temperament and would often ask people to leave his home. As his stardom faded, Amitabh Bachchan rose to prominence with films such as Zanjeer, Sholay, and Deewar, replacing Khanna as Bollywood’s leading star.

According to Chintamani, Salman Khan later made multiple attractive offers to purchase the bungalow—allegedly on behalf of his brother Sohail Khan—including assurances to settle outstanding income tax dues and again offering to work without charge. Despite these efforts, Rajesh Khanna refused to sell the property and lived there in isolation until his death.

After Khanna’s passing, the bungalow was eventually sold, demolished, and replaced with a high-rise building, marking the end of one of Bollywood’s most iconic residences.