Rajesh Khanna once rejected Salman Khan offer to clear debts and purchase iconic Aashirwad bungalow

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The complex and often turbulent relationship between Bollywood’s original superstar, Rajesh Khanna, and modern-day icon Salman Khan serves as a poignant chapter in the history of Indian cinema. Long before the era of multi-crore blockbusters, Khanna reigned as the industry’s first true superstar, defined by his meteoric rise in the late 1960s and his iconic residence on Carter Road, known as “Aashirwad.”

Originally owned by actor Bharat Bhushan and later the legendary Rajendra Kumar, the mansion was a symbol of the high life during the 1970s. Khanna acquired the property from Kumar, who famously prophesied that the house would change the actor’s fortune. Khanna renamed it “Aashirwad,” a site that soon became a landmark where legions of fans gathered daily to catch a glimpse of the actor who dominated the box office for over a decade.

However, the tide of popularity shifted in the 1980s as audiences moved toward the “angry young man” persona popularized by Amitabh Bachchan. As his box-office appeal waned, Khanna faced mounting financial distress. His film projects struggled to find traction, and he found himself isolated, eventually spending more time at his office than in the sprawling, increasingly burdensome mansion. It was during this period of decline that Salman Khan attempted to intervene.

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According to reports involving screenwriter Rumi Jaffery, who acted as an intermediary, Salman Khan proposed purchasing “Aashirwad” at its prevailing market value to assist the struggling veteran. The offer was extensive, encompassing the settlement of all outstanding debts and a commitment from Salman to work for free in a film produced by Khanna’s production house.

Far from welcoming the gesture, the proud superstar reacted with indignation. Khanna reportedly took offense at the proposal, viewing it as an intrusion rather than an act of benevolence. He flatly rejected the offer and maintained his residence at “Aashirwad” until his death, leaving behind significant tax liabilities. Years after his passing in 2012, the property was eventually sold to a private industrialist in 2014 for an estimated 90 crore rupees, bringing a definitive end to the legacy of the home that once stood as the heartbeat of the Hindi film industry.