Rajesh Khanna (December 29, 1942 – July 18, 2012) was known as Bollywood’s first superstar and one of its’ most influential. During the brief period of 1969 through 1971, Khanna starred in a phenomenal amount of consecutive hit films – fifteen. The only Hindi actor to obtain such a record as a single lead hero. He appeared in 180 films in a career spanning from 1966 to 2012. From 1970 to 1987, Khanna was the highest paid Hindi actor. At his peak, the romantic hero was mobbed by hysterical fans and in need of police protection. Later in life, Khanna appeared in television series and was a member of the Indian Parliament. Khanna married actress Dimple Kapadia in 1973, and even though they separated in 1984, they never divorced. They have two daughters, Twinkle and Rinke. Rajesh Khanna died of cancer in 2012, at the age of 71, and his ashes were immersed in the Ganges.