Video and Photo Gallery: Rajesh Khanna laid to rest in presence of thousands fans and Bollywood celebrities, grandson Aarav lit pyre

MUMBAI, India (Thu, Jul 19) – India’s first superstar Rajesh Khanna was laid to rest today in Paramhans crematorium in Vile Parle. Thousands of fans gathered to pay their last tribute to legendary Bollywood star who passed away in Mumbai after a protracted illness on Wednesday (July 18).

Rajesh Khanna Funeral: Thousand pay last tribute to India's first superstar on his last journey

The funeral procession of superstar started at about 10:15 am (LOCAL TIME) on Thursday morning and reached the crematorium at around 11:00 am. Fans threw flowers at the glass casket in which Khanna’s body was kept and walked along with the procession that carried the body of the star.

Rajesh Khanna Funeral: Thousand pay last tribute to India's first superstar on his last journey

Rajesh Khanna Funeral: Thousand pay last tribute to India's first superstar on his last journey

Accompanying the star on his final journey was his separated wife, actress Dimple Kapadia, elder son-in-law , younger daughter Rinkee Khanna, her husband Sameer Saran and grandson Aarav. The last rites were performed by Khanna’s elder daughter Twinkle Khanna, her husband Akshay Kumar and their son Aarav. 

Rajesh Khanna Funeral: Thousand pay last tribute to India's first superstar on his last journey

Rajesh Khanna Funeral: Thousand pay last tribute to India's first superstar on his last journey

"Aarav lit the pyre and Akshay Kumar assisted him," the late superstar`s close friend Vijay Zaveri.

Despite the rain, besides thousands of fans gathered to pay tribute to Bollywood`s first superstar Rajesh Khanna. Celebrities like Karan Johar, Rani Mukerji, Kareena Kapoor, Karisma Kapoor,Abhishek Bachchan and Amitabh Bachchan were also present at the crematorium.

Rajesh Khanna Funeral: Thousand pay last tribute to India's first superstar on his last journey

Watch video of the last journey of Rajesh Khanna:

Fans to Choose Moustache for Akshay Kumar's Character in Upcoming Project 'Rowdy Rathore'

Akshay Kumar in Rowdy Rathore

Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar is considered to be one of the few actors in Bollywood who can convincingly play both, an urban metrosexual man as well as a rusty villager. With his brawny physique and ruff features, Akshay has never had a difficulty in playing the macho man, be it the sauve Raj Malhotra in ‘Aitraaz’ or the rustic Arjun Singh in ‘Namastey London’.

Now again, Akshay is all set to entertain his fans in a similar avatar in ‘Rowdy Rathore’. The film is being produced by Sanjay Leela Bhansali, directed by Prabhudeva and has Sonakshi Sinha in the female lead. The makers have decided to have Akshay sport a moustache in the film so that the original rowdiness of the actor comes out in fair measure. The production house associated with the film has launched a campaign to elicit suggestions from Akshay Kumar fans about what type of moustache would suit the actor best.

Reportedly, Akshay is also learning an offensive variant of Karate named ‘Combat Karate’ in preparation for his role in ‘Rowdy Rathore’. Seems the actor is all set to return to his first love….kick ass action!!