I could not control my emotions when I heard of Rajesh Khanna's sad and untimely demise today (Wednesday) afternoon. I remember way back in the early 1960s, my writing career and Rajesh's acting career took off almost simultaneously and he excelled in his chosen field.

In that era, when the film industry was small but highly competitive with stalwarts like Dilip Kumar, Raj Kapoor, Dev Anand, Shammi Kapoor, Rajendra Kumar, for a new actor making a mark in itself was a commendable achievement

Unlike the days when stars appeared to be 'loud', Rajesh was soft and quiet, in his style, acting, personality and also public image.

Within a short period of a few years, he catapulted to superstardom and achieved heights like nobody before him.

We were neighbours in Bandra - barely at five minutes walking distance - good friends and used to meet and interact regularly. Although, in recent years it was rare due to his health conditions.

I witnessed his peak period from 1969-1975 from close quarters. The dizzying heights that he reached remain a landmark which other actors and stars can covet, though we have many big stars even today.

We saw that his position remained untouched, nobody could come anywhere near him, he was loved and adored by all from six to 60, especially women who considered him their ultimate Dreamboy with his cherubic smile, a romantic charisma and a good boy image...

While the period Rajesh reigned at the top was quite short - barely six years - he truly deserved the 'superstar' status that the industry bestowed on him.

I was involved in the writing of his career's greatest superhit "Haathi Mere Saathi" and later "Andaaz", in which he had a guest appearance.

During the shooting of "Haathi Mere Saathi", when we used to travel to Chennai and other places in south India, we were surprised to see massive crowds waiting for Rajesh wherever he went.

Generally, nobody knew or recognised Hindi film stars in south India, which has its own dedicated and huge film industry, so this was considered remarkable.

Though many considered him a romantic hero, he was accepted in all the roles he essayed - romance, action, emotions, drama, comedy.

As a person, Rajesh was basically an introvert, unable to express himself much and remained shy, traits that may be considered unthinkable for a superstar with a huge fan following.

However, he was always a good host, whether on the sets or his home - daily, dozens of people were invited daily for eating, drinking and merry-making.

Rajesh was a very generous person, too. He was known to make expensive gifts to people he liked - like, once, he gifted a car to somebody, to another an expensive watch, and so on...

I feel saddened that he left us when he was just 69, (he would have turned 70 this December). But he had been ailing for a long time and suffering. After a high-profile acting career, he has got the rest he must have wanted...

Rajesh Khanna's evergreen songs

It was not only Rajesh Khanna's persona that charmed audiences, but his songs were equally popular. From romantic numbers like "Mere Sapnon ki Raani", "Jai jai Shiv Shankar" to soothing ones like "Zindagi kaisi hai paheli" and "Achha to hum chalte hain", his songs were equally popular among his fans.

Some of his hit melodious numbers are:

- "Kora kagaz tha yeh man mera" ("Aradhana") 1969

- "Mere sapnon ki raani" ("Aradhana") 1969

- "Roop tera mastana" (" Aradhana") 1969

- "Woh shaam kuch ajeeb thi" ("Khamoshi") 1969

- "Achha to hum chalte hain" ("Aan Milo Sajna") 1970

- "Dil sacha aur chehra jhootha" ("Sachcha Jhootha") 1970

- "Jeevan se bhari teri aankhen" ("Safar") 1970

- "Meri pyari behaniya" ("Sachcha Jhootha") 1970

- "Yahan wahan sare jahan" ("Aan Milo Sajna") 1970

- "Yeh jo mohabbat hai" ( "Kati Patang") 1970

- "Yeh shaam mastani" ("Kati Patang") 1970

- "Pyaar deewana hota hai" ( "Kati Patang") 1970

- "Kahin door jab din dhal jaaye" ("Anand") 1971

- "Zindagi kaisi hai paheli" ("Anand") 1971

- "Chala jata hoon" ("Mere Jeevan Saathi") 1972

- "Chingari koi bhadke" ("Amar Prem") 1972

- "Kuch to log kahenge" ("Amar Prem") 1972

- "O mere dil ke chain" ("Mere Jeevan Saathi")1972

- "Diye jalte hain" ("Namak Haram") 1973

- "Main shayar badnam" ( "Namak Haram") 1973

- "Mere dil mein aaj kya hai" ( "Daag")1973

- "Jai jai shiv shankar" ( "Aap Ki Kasam") 1974

- "Karvate badalte rahe" ( "Aap Ki Kasam") 1974

- "Gore rang pe na itna" ( "Roti") 1974

- "Zindagi ke safar mein" ( "Aap Ki Kasam") 1974

- "Mere naina saawan bhadon" ( "Mehbooba") 1976

- "Aate jaate khoobsurat" ("Anurodh") 1977

- "Humein tum se pyaar kitna" ("Kudrat") 1981

- "Agar tum na hote" ("Agar Tum Na Hote") 1983

- "Shayad meri shaadi" ("Souten") 1983

- "Zindagi pyar ka geet" ("Souten") 1983