Mukesh Khanna became a regular character actor in Bollywood, after playing that role of Grand old man of Mahabhrata- Bhishma Pitamah’. Prior to that, I had seen him in Dheeraj Kumar’s popular TV serial ‘Adalat’. In a court scene, he seemed to be imitating the style of Big B. When I asked Dheeraj Kumar, during a function, he told me that his name was Mukesh Khanna. I mentioned to him that he almost copied the style of Bachchan sir, and he agreed to my observation.
When I went on the sets of Mahabharat for the first time, during the initial stage of shooting, I was introduced by Casting director and Production manager Gufi Paintal to him. He was in his shooting costumes, waiting for his turn; as Mr. B.R. Chopra was busy shooting some of the scenes on Satyavati, played by Debashree Roy. “Inse Miliye, Ye hai hamare Bhishma Pitamah’ ( Meet our Bhishma Pitamah- Mukesh Khanna) . I reminded both of them about the episode of ‘Adalat’ in which I found some similarity between him and Big B. Mr. Mukesh Khanna felt happy that I had noticed him in that serial; as I could see his glowing face. But, Gufi, quickly remarked, “ Yes, that’s true; but in this character, we want him to use his voice and not the Body language of Big B. We want him to enter the character of Bhishma Pitamah and not copy the style of Big B.”
Gufi left the scene, as he was busy at the sets; but Mr. Mukesh Khanna, started getting closer to me. After giving his proper introduction, he even gave me his card. He lived at Marine Drive and as per my memory, he was into his traditional family business. “Acting is my passion and I want to achieve something in this field,” he had said. I clicked his photograph alongwith with Mr. B.R. Chopra, when he returned after the shot for a tea break. Before I left, I went to say Bye to Mukesh and he promptly asked me, as to when his photo would be published, as it was supposed to be his first official photo in print. “ Next week’” I told him left the studio. Subsequent week, I did send him the weekly clipping on the address provided by him.
Later, Mukesh Khanna dominated the mega serial with his punchy lines and graceful personality. Thereafter we saw him in many Bollywood films. But, where is he now ? Perhaps, back to his traditional family business.