The last rites were performed by Khanna's grandson Aarav, with father Akshay by his side.
Rajesh Khanna was given a tearful adieu on Thursday by family, fans and film fraternity, as thousands of mourners thronged the streets here under heavy rains to have a last glimpse of Bollywood's first superstar during his final journey.
Amid poignant scenes, the 69-year-old star, who died yesterday at his "Aashirwad' home, two days after he was discharged from Lilawati hospital, was cremated at the Pawan Hans crematorium in Juhu.
The last rites were performed by Khanna's grandson Aarav, with father Akshay by his side.
Although the cause of Khanna's death was not officially announced by the family or doctors at Lilawati hospital, those close to the actor hinted at a liver problem.
"He had liver infection….he had liver problem. He had stopped eating food…as he couldn’t eat anything. During the last stage of his life, he was on liquid like juice," Vijay Zaveri, Khanna's close friend, told PTI.
As admirers paid glowing tributes to Khanna, who was fondly called 'Kaka', there was chaos outside the crematorium with hundreds of people converging there and jostled with the police.
Slogans like "Rajesh Khanna amar rahe" rent the air while several mourners carried posters of the "King of Romance", who acted in around 170 films, mainly in the lead role.
Many Bollywood personalities including Amitabh Bachchan, his son Abhishek, Manoj Kumar, Rani Mukherjee and Karan Johar turned up at the crematorium to pay their last respects.
The funeral procession of Khanna began from 'Aashirwad' on Carter Road in Bandra at around 10 AM with fans queuing up outside his home. The cortege wound its way through the streets over a 10-km distance and it took about one hour to reach the crematorium.
The body of Khanna, kept in a glass coffin, was taken in an open truck, bedecked with white flowers. His son-in-law and actor Akshay Kumar, estranged wife Dimple Kapadia and his younger daughter Rinkie Khanna stood on the truck.
Bachchan was in tears today when he came to Pawan Hans crematorium for Khanna's last rites. He hugged Dimple and Rinkie as they were crying and consoled them.
"Bachchan was in tears when he came to the crematorium. He hugged Dimple and Rinkie, who were also crying. He was consoling them," a source close to the actor told PTI.
There were few celebs present at the crematorium as Mumbai Police had asked the family members to keep it a private affair, considering Khanna's huge fan following.
"City police commissioner Arup Patnaik had asked Akshay Kumar to keep the funeral a private affair as handling fans was very difficult for them. Hence less celebrities turned up," the source added.
Khanna was admitted to and discharged from hospital a number of times in the past few months.
"His family had this idea that Khanna was very weak and anything could happen any moment. Since three months Dimple, Rinkie, Akshay and Twinkle were continuously by his side," the source said.
In June it was reported that Khanna had stopped taking food for a few days and that he was extremely unwell, but soon after, the actor emerged on the balcony of his bungalow Aashirward to wave to his fans, making his last appearance in public.
"Khanna had come onto the balcony to bid farewell to his fans for the last time. He wanted to see his fans and thank them for all the love and support," the source added.
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