Grandson Aarav lights Rajesh Khanna's pyre

Mumbai, July 19 (IANS) Nine-year-old grandson Aarav lit Rajesh Khanna's pyre Thursday at the Vile Parle cremetorium, said a close family friend.

"Aarav lit the pyre and Akshay Kumar (Rajesh Khanna's son-in-law) assisted him," the late superstar's close friend Vijay Zaveri told IANS.

Braving the rain, thousand of fans gathered to pay tribute to Bollywood's first superstar Rajesh Khanna. Celebrities like Karan Johar and Rani Mukerji were also there.

The legend's final journey started around 10 a.m. from his residence Aashirwad in Bandra. His body, in a transparent casket, was placed on a mini-truck decorated with white flowers.

With him on his last journey were his estranged wife Dimple Kapadia, who took care of him in the last days, his younger daughter Rinke and son-in-law, actor Akshay, who is married to his elder daughter Twinkle.

The actor, fondly called Kaka by his family and friends, passed away Wednesday morning following a liver infection.

Rajesh started his career with the 1966 film "Akhari Khat" and went on to feature in hit films like "Aradhana", "Kati Patang", "Anand" and "Amar Prem" that propelled him to dazzling fame.