Do Raaste - Rajesh Khanna fever was infectious & was going to stay

Rajesh Khanna - Rajesh means king of kings and he proved it during 1969. Girls have already started writing letters in blood for India's first superstar. While Aradhana released in November 1969 became a superhit, Do raaste was released in December. Loyal fans use to switch theaters to watch Aradhana and Do Rasste back to back. They would literally run from Roxy on Charni Road, Mumbai to Opera house.

Do Raaste was directed by Raj Khosla. It had the seasoned actor Balraj Sahani who played the elder brother of Rajesh Khanna. Despite the emotional and melodramatic story revolving around the family's many struggles, Raj Khosla wove his magic into the romantic subplot of Mumtaz's and Rajesh Khanna's characters. It was a typical story in which the newlywed bahu (Bindu) breaks the joint family. Raj Khosla was supported in this endeavor by music composers Laxmikant Pyarelal and Lyricist Anand Bakshi.

The movie was a musical blockbuster. The songs like "Bindiya Chamkegi", "Chuup Gaye Saare Nazare ho kya baat hogi", "Yeh Reshmi Zulfen" , "Mere Naseeb mein aaye dost " ruled the charts of that era and are still remembered. Yeh Reshmi Zulfen had Rajesh khanna in a  beard. This song was filmed during the shooting of Ittefaq, in which be sported a bearded look. Therefore, he appears cleanly shaven in the entire movie, except for this song. His females fans, however, loved his look.

The first Antara of "Yeh Reshmi Zulfen" showed the electric chemistry between Rajesh Khanna and Mumtaz. "Jo yeh aankhen sharam se jhuk jayengi, saari batein yehi bas ruk jaayengi" shows the enigmatic style of Kaka. The way he smiles, tilts his head and points his fingers while delivering " Ke Inhe dekhkar pee rahe hai sabhi" is magical.  The way Rafi Saab has sung, only he can deliver it, that way. There are romantic moments in this song which takes one in a different trance.The jodi was soon supposed to become best friends and a hit pair onscreen.

 One cannot miss the slow, relaxed dialogue delivery of Bengali side actor Asit Sen which was a treat for the ears and instantly brought a smile to everyone's face. His sarcastic dialogues with his wife Leela Mishra are hilarious.

Do Raaste was the 2nd biggest blockbuster in 1969, first one been Aradhana. Salim Khan (father to Salman khan) says  "Crowd does gather in front of their house to catch a glimpse of Salman Khan". People come and tell him that his son enjoys massive fan following. But, Salim Khan saab smiles and calmly says that a little distance from here, on Carter Road, he has witnessed many such sights in front of Ashirwad (Bungalow of Rajesh Khanna). The mass adulation he has seen at Aashirwad for Rajesh Khanna remains unmatched.