Asha Parekh Unlocks 'Babu Moshai' Secret

Veteran actress Asha Parekh has shed light on the fascinating origin of Rajesh Khanna's iconic catchphrase, 'Babu Moshai.' During a recent appearance on a music reality show, Parekh revealed that the expression, deeply associated with Khanna's persona, has a history predating his use of it.

Parekh explained that the term 'Babu Moshai' is of Bengali origin. She shared an anecdote where legendary actor Raj Kapoor used to affectionately call filmmaker Hrishikesh Mukherjee by this name. Hrishikesh Mukherjee, in turn, later adopted this term and bestowed it upon Rajesh Khanna, solidifying its place in cinematic history.

The phrase gained immense popularity and became indelibly linked to Rajesh Khanna through the critically acclaimed film 'Anand,' directed by Hrishikesh Mukherjee. The film, which featured Khanna in the lead role, saw him using the endearing term, which resonated deeply with audiences and contributed to his superstardom.