Rajesh Khanna, the first superstar of Indian cinema, and Chetan Anand, a celebrated filmmaker, initially collaborated on Anand's directorial debut, "Aakhri Khat". However, a significant gap followed before they worked together again. The reason behind this hiatus wasn't necessarily a fallout, but rather a difference in perspective on stardom and acting, according to Chetan Anand himself.

Chetan Anand, known for his artistic approach to filmmaking, believed in working with actors, not stars. According to Ketan Anand, Chetan Anand's son, the director consciously chose not to collaborate with Rajesh Khanna after he achieved superstardom. Despite facing questions about why he wasn't working with Rajesh Khanna, Chetan Anand maintained that he preferred to work with actors and that Rajesh Khanna would return to him when he felt the need.

Echoing this sentiment, Ketan Anand reflected on how success can be more challenging to handle than failure, using Rajesh Khanna's career as a prime example. He recounted his father saying, "I don't work with stars, I work with actors".

Indeed, after experiencing the highs and lows of superstardom, Rajesh Khanna eventually reunited with Chetan Anand for the 1981 film "Kudrat". At a time when Rajesh Khanna felt his career was declining, he approached Chetan Anand, seeking a great director to work with. Chetan Anand, though facing financial constraints, had a story idea that Rajesh Khanna loved. Rajesh Khanna then brought producer B.S. Khanna to finance the film, which led to the making of "Kudrat".

"Kudrat," a reincarnation drama also starring Hema Malini, had a successful soundtrack but unfortunately didn't fare well at the box office. Despite its failure, this collaboration signified a reconciliation and a mutual respect for each other's craft. Ketan Anand considered "Kudrat" to be one of their finest collaborations.

Interestingly, Rajesh Khanna's initial success in "Anand" was achieved without him charging a fee. Instead, he secured the distribution rights and reportedly earned ten times more than his usual remuneration due to the film's success. This demonstrates Khanna's business acumen and his confidence in the project.

Even during his peak, Rajesh Khanna faced immense work pressure. He admitted to being overworked and unable to decline film offers, leading to criticism for being disorganized and greedy. Despite the challenges, he delivered a memorable performance in "Anand," which was shot during this hectic phase of his career.

In conclusion, the reason Rajesh Khanna and Chetan Anand didn't work together for years wasn't due to a conflict, but rather Chetan Anand's conscious decision to work with actors over stars. Their eventual reunion in "Kudrat" showcased their respect for each other and resulted in a film considered by some to be among their best collaborations.