Vardan Aashirwad, the iconic bungalow of late Bollywood superstar Rajesh Khanna spent his final days, has been sold but not without a controversy.
Anita Advani, the woman who has claimed to be Khanna’s companion in his later days, has contested the sale of the property.
The sea-facing residence-occupying a 603-square metre area-located at a prime spot on Carter Road in Bandra was reportedly sold for anything between Rs. 90-95 crore.
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Khanna’s daughters Twinkle and Rinke Khanna are the sole benefactors of his property.
However, Ms. Advani, who claims to have been Khanna’s “live-in partner” for 10 years, has alleged that the sale was illegal. She has also staked a claim in Khanna’s property. “Since the matter is under litigation, anybody buying or selling the bungalow will incur criminal liability,” Ms. Advani told The Hindu . She said she would file a notice in court against the sale within 14 days. Days before .Khanna’s death in July, 2012, Ms. Advani, who is a designer, had claimed that she had been his live-in partner.
She then moved court demanding her share in the actor’s property. She also claimed that the actor wanted to convert the bungalow into a museum. Khanna’s family has denied her claims.
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Real estate agents believe that the landmark bungalow was sold at a much lower price than expected. The plot was too small to construct a high-rise building, some feel.
It was Vardan Aashirwad where Khanna scripted his journey into stardom and greeted legions of fans who would wait outside it for hours just to catch a glimpse of the superstar. Khanna purchased the house, then named Dimple, from another Bollywood legend, Rajendra Kumar in the 1960s for a reported sum of Rs 3.5 lakh. After having it rebuilt, Khanna named it Aashirwad. The bungalow was renamed Vardan Aashirwad soon after his death as per his last wishes.