Rajesh Khanna’s Aashirwad bungalow cannot be called ‘haunted’ or ‘cursed’ – here’s why

New Delhi: The Bombay High Court has now restrained media organisations and online platforms from calling Rajesh Khanna’s iconic bungalow Aashirwad “haunted”, “cursed”, or “unlucky”. Over the several years, several reports claimed that the bungalow is haunted or cursed. The property, which was once owned by legendary actor Rajesh Khanna, was demolished nearly a decade ago by its new owner and was transformed into a four-storey residence for his family. No more calling Rajesh Khanna’s aashirwad bungalow ‘haunted’ In an interim order passed on July 24, Justice Arif S Doctor said that such descriptions about the property were prima facie defamatory and violated the plaintiff’s fundamental right to live peacefully and with dignity. The hearing happened after the current owner of Aashirwad, businessman Shashi Shetty, approached the court after coming across several articles, social media posts and videos that described the property as “haunted”. Senior advocate Birendra Saraf, who appeared for Shetty, told the court that his client had demolished the original bungalow and constructed a new house in its place. However, the name of the property remained the same. The court agreed that such descriptions are “clearly defamatory” and affect the petitioner’s “right to live peacefully and in dignity”. The court also said that the owner was “wholly justified” in seeking interim relief. The judge Arif Doctor also noted, “Therefore, in my prima facie view, clearly such publications would be wholly unjustified and in the nature of creating sensationalism, at the cost to the plaintiff and for no fault of his.” The ad-interim relief will continue until the next hearing on August 21, 2026. Rajesh Khanna’s Aashirwad Bungalow Rajesh Khanna bought Aashirwad, a sea-facing bungalow in Mumbai’s Bandra, from the actor Rajendra Kumar for Rs 3.5 lakh. Rajendra Kumar had reportedly purchased the property for Rs 65,000 in the late 1950s. The property proved lucky for both actors. While Rajendra Kumar achieved immense success and earned the title of ‘Jubilee Kumar’, Rajesh Khanna went on to become first superstar of Hindi cinema. However, folloing the decline in their careers, rumours sparked about the bungalow being “haunted” or “cursed” for years.