Why Rajesh Khanna Felt Threatened by ‘Ramayan’ Actor Vijay Arora; Bollywood Politics Hampered His Career

There was a time when Rajesh Khanna, Bollywood’s first superstar, reportedly felt his stardom could be challenged—and the reason was none other than Vijay Arora, best known for his role as Meghnad in the epic TV series Ramayan.

A rising star of the 1970s

During the 1970s, Rajesh Khanna’s fan following was unmatched. Audiences were mesmerized by his charm, romance, and on-screen emotions. It was a time when reaching such heights was nearly impossible for other actors. Yet, Vijay Arora emerged as a formidable talent, leading Khanna to admit in an interview that Arora was one actor who made him feel insecure.

Worked with top actresses of the era

Vijay Arora, who graduated from the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) in 1971 with a gold medal, moved to Mumbai to pursue acting. His fair complexion and tall frame quickly landed him roles. He debuted in the films Zaroorat (1972) with Reena Roy and Rakhi Aur Hathkadi with Asha Parekh. Over the years, he shared screen space with leading actresses including Jaya Bhaduri (now Jaya Bachchan), Waheeda Rehman, Shabana Azmi, Tanuja, Parveen Babi, and Mausami Chatterjee, earning acclaim for his performances.

A comparison with Rajesh Khanna

Although his first film received a modest response, Arora’s breakthrough came with Yaadon Ki Baaraat (1973). The song “Chura Liya Hai Tumne Jo Dil Ko” became an instant hit and remains iconic to this day. With his “chocolate-boy” looks, Arora rapidly rose to fame, securing multiple films back-to-back. His success drew comparisons with Rajesh Khanna, given their similar stature and screen presence. Fans even began calling him the “second Rajesh Khanna.” Khanna himself admitted that if anyone could match him, it was Vijay Arora.

Collaborations and TV fame

Rajesh Khanna and Vijay Arora worked together in three films: Nishan, Roti, and Sautan. Arora appeared in over 100 Hindi films and several television series during his career. In the 1980s, he was offered the role of Meghnad in Ramanand Sagar’s legendary TV series Ramayan, a character that became widely loved alongside Lord Rama and Sita. However, despite his cinematic contributions, Arora did not achieve the lasting fame his talent deserved, largely due to the politics prevalent in the film industry at the peak of his career—a fact he openly acknowledged.

Personal life

Vijay Arora married the famous model Dilbar, who had competed in several beauty contests and won the Miss India title. The couple has a son, Farhad, who followed in his father’s footsteps, working as a film producer and music video director in the industry.