Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde) spokesperson and deputy leader Krishna Hegde has written to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy CM Eknath Shinde and Municipal Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani, seeking that the Carter Road promenade at Bandra West be named after Bollywood superstar the late Rajesh Khanna and a statue also be erected in his honour.
The Carter Road promenade buzzes with activity. FILE PIC/SATEJ SHINDE
Khanna lived in a bungalow called Ashirwad facing the Carter Road promenade till his death in 2012. After his passing, the property was sold, and now there is a tower in place. Hegde said, “Though the bungalow has sold and a tower has come up on the plot, everyone knows this is where the superstar resided all his life. The Carter Road promenade already hosts a lot of shows and programmes. Rajesh Khanna was associated with arts and culture. It will be an apt remembrance, and renaming it will be a huge tourist lure. It will attract movie lovers from all over,” Hegde added.
Krishna Hegde, Shiv Sena spokesperson
Hegde explained about his statue request, “We should also have his statue on the promenade opposite the iconic bungalow, which will be yet another tourist attraction. So many people stop by and click pictures outside Shah Rukh Khan’s home, Mannat, at Land’s End. Then we also have legions of fans below Salman Khan’s Galaxy Apartments in Bandra, but people should also remember that Rajesh Khanna will always be India’s first superstar.”
Asked if battling over names for infra and statues must come second to civic issues, Hegde said, “Civic issues come first. Yet, it does not cost much to remember great personalities, especially those who have inspired lakhs of youngsters to join the film industry or do philanthropic work. Icons should also be remembered and honoured, as every story is inspirational. Rajesh Khanna became a superstar after he was discovered through a ‘ talent’ hunt and validated himself as a superstar for years, giving 25 hits in a row.”
