Vilas Ghate a die hard fan of Rajesh Khanna remembers him on his birthday!

When did you start collecting things related to Rajesh Khanna?

When I was 10-years-old, my father gave me a postcard photo of Kakiji, before that, I used to collect small pictures of his from magazines and I used to paste it in my rough book.

Which was the first ever movie you watched?

Aradhana.

Did your family ever object your madness for Rajesh Khanna?

They sometimes objected but finally, they adjusted. My mother always supported me. My father sometimes objected to my madness for Kakaji

but he was the only one who gave me his postcard photograph. 

Which are your favorite movies of him?

Aanand, Amar Prem, Bawarchi, Palko Ki Chao Mein, Thodi si Bewafai, Saccha Jhutta. There are many more and the list goes on.

Which was the first time you ever met him?

I met him at the shoot of Amar Prem. My Mamaji was a manager at Andheri State Bank, in which Shakti Samantha Natraj Studio had an account and his cameraman named Robbin used to come to that bank. So Robbin and my mamaji became friends. And one day my Mamaji called me and said "Do you know whom I met today?" and I said no. Then he told me I met your favorite Rajesh Khanna ji. Then one day he took me to shoot location where I saw the shooting of the most famous dialogue "I hate Tears Pushpa."

When did you meet him next?

After that, I went again and again when I had a holiday. On holiday I used to go to Mama's house in Andheri and then he used to take me to shoot. I have seen shooting of films like Ajnabee, Anurodh, Amar Prem.

What did you learn from him?

Kakaji never liked lies. So I learned not to lie. I also learned that one should never say anything about someone behind his back.

How many times did you meet him?

Around 35-40 times.

When did you last meet him?

I met him in 2008 when Kakaji read an article about my collection in Hindustan Times. Then he called us to his office and my wife and I went there but unfortunately, we were not able to meet him. Then Kakaji called us at his residence on October 25, 2008, one day before Diwali. My wife, daughter and me went there to meet him and we were there with him for 3 hours and we also had dinner with him.

How did you maintain such a rare collection which is not less than a museum?

I think it was passion. Besides maintaining my profession of a photographer I was also working on Kakji's collection. 

Do you do something special on his birthday?

I only post greetings on Facebook. I also maintain a page on Facebook where I share these collections.

What are the FB Page and fan page you operate?

India First and Real Superstar Rajesh Khanna From My Collection(on fb). I update regularly as soon as  I get new articles and pics.

The most viewed Film? why?

Bawarchi. I think it's a very inspiring film and it teaches us how to live in a joint family. I have also seen Anand too but I like Bawarchi too. 

The female actor that makes a pair with Rajesh Ji?

Sharmila Tagore and Mumtaz

Do you feel that he was in pain when you read news about his personal life?

His personal life was full of both happiness and sadness. He also met with many mishaps. He grew alone. But that time if any friend or anyone was there then his condition would have improved.