Rajesh Khanna’s special Diwali bond with Supriya Pathak’s father

Rajesh Khanna, widely considered to be the first superstar of Indian cinema, had a special tradition of visiting Supriya Pathak’s father, Baldev Pathak, at his shop every year for Diwali puja.

This visit was not only a gesture of respect but also highlighted the close bond between the actor and the renowned tailor who was instrumental in crafting Khanna’s iconic guru kurtas. Khanna is not only known for his performances but also for his distinctive style, especially the famous ‘Guru Kurta’.

This iconic garment became synonymous with his personality and a hallmark of Bollywood fashion in the 1970s and 1980s. Interestingly, Khanna’s guru kurtas were designed by Baldev Pathak, father of actresses Supriya and Ratna Pathak. Baldev Pathak, who owned a tailoring shop called Shriman Costumes in Mumbai, also styled actor Dilip Kumar.

Supriya shared this surprising connection during her appearance on Twinkle Khanna’s show The Icons. The “Khichdi” actress said, “My father used to be a dealer in imported cars and sold one to the late Dilip Kumar, which brought him in contact with many Hindi film actors.”

Supriya further revealed that her father eventually opened a men’s clothing store near the Gateway of India, which became popular among top actors looking for customized outfits. “Soon my father started designing and styling Rajesh Khanna’s off-screen looks, including the guru kurtas, long shirts with belts and shirts where the seams were visible.

Many of these became popular trends. I have fond memories of Dilip Kumar and Rajesh Khanna attending the Diwali puja at our store,” she added.