Rajesh Khanna was Indian.
Rajesh Khanna ( born Jatin Khanna ; 29 December 1942 -- 18 July 2012 ) was an Indian actor , film producer and politician who is known for his work in Hindi cinema . He was the highest paid Indian actor from 1970 to 1987 where Amitabh Bachchan shared the same tag with Khanna from 1980 to 1987 . He was also a Lok Sabha member of the Indian National Congress from New Delhi ( Lok Sabha constituency ) from 1992 to 1996 . On 30 April 2013 he was officially bestowed with the title The First Superstar of Indian cinema at Dadasaheb Phalke Academy Awards He has also been honored with a stamp and statue of his likeness , and a road being renamed in his honor .