‘He Had To Fly in an Air Ambulance’: Filmmaker R Balki Recalls Rajesh Khanna’s Final Ad Shoot, Says Actor Arrived on Set With IV Drip Amid Failing Health (Watch Video)

Filmmaker R Balki has revisited his experience of directing the late Rajesh Khanna in what turned out to be the legendary star’s final advertisement shoot. Speaking on the Mama’s Couch podcast, Balki described the experience as unforgettable and deeply emotional. R Balki Birthday: 5 Unconventional Movies By The Director.

R Balki Recalls Rajesh Khanna’s Humour

Recalling their first meeting, Balki said he always addressed Khanna as “Sir” and never by his popular nickname, Kaka. “I read out the script to him. He laughed. I asked him, ‘You’re understanding the script na?’ He said, ‘Why are you asking me this?’” Balki shared. Despite being unwell at the time, Khanna responded with humour. “Babu moshai, you think I’d been a superstar if I didn’t have a sense of humour?” he told the director.

Shooting Amid Deteriorating Health

Balki revealed that the shoot took place months later in Bengaluru, when Khanna’s health had worsened significantly. “He was suffering. He had to fly in an air ambulance. He had an IV drip in one hand and came to the set in a wheelchair,” he said. According to Balki, Khanna could stand only briefly. “He could shoot for exactly 45 seconds before he had to go back,” he recalled. Kolkata International Film Festival 2024: Vidya Balan and R Balki To Attend the 30th Edition of KIFF at Sisir Mancha in West Bengal.

Watch R Balki Full Interview:

R Balki on Rajesh Khanna’s Final Days

After the shoot wrapped, Khanna watched the completed advertisement and expressed happiness. “He said, ‘We’ll do a film together,’” Balki remembered. The actor passed away just a few weeks later, on July 18, 2012. The advertisement was released later that year. Reflecting on the moment, Balki said seeing the superstar in such a fragile state was difficult, adding that Khanna was aware he had little time left.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 05, 2026 03:47 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).