In the dazzling world of Bollywood, fame and fortune often find a home in grand bungalows that become as iconic as the stars who live in them. From Shah Rukh Khan’s Mannat to Amitabh Bachchan’s Jalsa, these celebrity residences are no less than tourist landmarks. But before these contemporary shrines took over, there existed one house that defined stardom — and superstition — in equal measure. Nestled on Mumbai’s Carter Road, the bungalow named Aashirwad holds a mysterious legacy that still sends a chill down the spine of Bollywood buffs.
More than just a home to India’s first superstar, Rajesh Khanna, Aashirwad is whispered about for its supposed curse — one that saw three top actors rise to dizzying heights of fame, only to watch their empires crumble while living within its walls.
The Origins: When Glory Turned to Gloom
According to Hindustan Times, before it was named Aashirwad, the bungalow was owned by an Anglo-Indian family and later purchased by Bharat Bhushan, a leading man of the 1950s. Known for classic films like Baiju Bawra and Mirza Ghalib, Bhushan was considered in the same league as Dilip Kumar and Raj Kapoor. But fate had other plans. Soon after he moved into the property, his successful run at the box office began to falter. Films flopped, finances dried up, and Bhushan, drowning in debt, was forced to sell the bungalow. The whispers began: the house was cursed.
Jubilee Kumar's DownfallThe second star to move in was the ever-popular Rajendra Kumar. Known as 'Jubilee Kumar' for his record-breaking string of silver jubilee hits, he bought the house in the 1960s for Rs 60,000. At the time, Kumar was one of the most bankable stars in Hindi cinema. But like his predecessor, he too saw his fortunes nosedive while living there. By the end of the decade, his career was floundering, and he too had to let go of the house. The pattern was becoming eerily familiar.
Rajesh Khanna and the Rise of Aashirwad
Then came the man who would redefine superstardom — Rajesh Khanna. In the early 1970s, at the very peak of his career, he purchased the property for Rs 3.5 lakhs and renamed it Aashirwad. It was a fitting name, reflecting his sky-high status in the industry and his spiritual outlook. With 17 consecutive solo hits to his credit, Khanna seemed unstoppable. Fans lined Carter Road daily just to catch a glimpse of their beloved Kaka waving from the balcony. Aashirwad was no longer just a home — it was a symbol of superstardom.
When Stardom Fades
But the good times didn’t last. As the '70s gave way to a new era, a new hero emerged: Amitabh Bachchan. With him came a seismic shift in Bollywood’s storytelling — and in its stars. Rajesh Khanna’s reign began to wane. Films flopped. Public adulation faded. His personal life too became a tabloid staple for all the wrong reasons. Yet, he never left Aashirwad. It remained his constant, even as everything else slipped away. He continued to live there until his death in 2011.
The Curse Lives On?
Three iconic stars. Three sharp declines. One address. Was it just coincidence or something more sinister? Over the years, Aashirwad earned an ominous nickname in industry circles — bhoot bangla — a haunted house that offered stardom at a steep price. Whether or not one believes in curses, the eerie similarities in the fates of its residents cannot be ignored.
Today, Aashirwad no longer exists in its original form, having been demolished and redeveloped. But its story lives on — whispered in gossip columns, explored in documentaries, and debated among die-hard Bollywood fans. It remains a strange and tragic footnote in the history of Hindi cinema — a house that offered dreams but delivered downfall.
More than just a home to India’s first superstar, Rajesh Khanna, Aashirwad is whispered about for its supposed curse — one that saw three top actors rise to dizzying heights of fame, only to watch their empires crumble while living within its walls.
The Origins: When Glory Turned to Gloom
According to Hindustan Times, before it was named Aashirwad, the bungalow was owned by an Anglo-Indian family and later purchased by Bharat Bhushan, a leading man of the 1950s. Known for classic films like Baiju Bawra and Mirza Ghalib, Bhushan was considered in the same league as Dilip Kumar and Raj Kapoor. But fate had other plans. Soon after he moved into the property, his successful run at the box office began to falter. Films flopped, finances dried up, and Bhushan, drowning in debt, was forced to sell the bungalow. The whispers began: the house was cursed.
Jubilee Kumar's DownfallThe second star to move in was the ever-popular Rajendra Kumar. Known as 'Jubilee Kumar' for his record-breaking string of silver jubilee hits, he bought the house in the 1960s for Rs 60,000. At the time, Kumar was one of the most bankable stars in Hindi cinema. But like his predecessor, he too saw his fortunes nosedive while living there. By the end of the decade, his career was floundering, and he too had to let go of the house. The pattern was becoming eerily familiar.
Rajesh Khanna and the Rise of Aashirwad
Then came the man who would redefine superstardom — Rajesh Khanna. In the early 1970s, at the very peak of his career, he purchased the property for Rs 3.5 lakhs and renamed it Aashirwad. It was a fitting name, reflecting his sky-high status in the industry and his spiritual outlook. With 17 consecutive solo hits to his credit, Khanna seemed unstoppable. Fans lined Carter Road daily just to catch a glimpse of their beloved Kaka waving from the balcony. Aashirwad was no longer just a home — it was a symbol of superstardom.
When Stardom Fades
But the good times didn’t last. As the '70s gave way to a new era, a new hero emerged: Amitabh Bachchan. With him came a seismic shift in Bollywood’s storytelling — and in its stars. Rajesh Khanna’s reign began to wane. Films flopped. Public adulation faded. His personal life too became a tabloid staple for all the wrong reasons. Yet, he never left Aashirwad. It remained his constant, even as everything else slipped away. He continued to live there until his death in 2011.
The Curse Lives On?
Three iconic stars. Three sharp declines. One address. Was it just coincidence or something more sinister? Over the years, Aashirwad earned an ominous nickname in industry circles — bhoot bangla — a haunted house that offered stardom at a steep price. Whether or not one believes in curses, the eerie similarities in the fates of its residents cannot be ignored.
Today, Aashirwad no longer exists in its original form, having been demolished and redeveloped. But its story lives on — whispered in gossip columns, explored in documentaries, and debated among die-hard Bollywood fans. It remains a strange and tragic footnote in the history of Hindi cinema — a house that offered dreams but delivered downfall.
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