In fact, according to his brother Rahul, Ashok got nicknamed ‘Kaka’ because of his hero-worship of the Bollywood star, who passed away at the age of 69 in Mumbai yesterday.

‘Kaka’ Mankad expired in his sleep in August, 2008.
“I think Sunny (Sunil Gavaskar) gave Ashokbhai the nickname ‘Kaka’. He absolutely worshipped Rajesh Khanna. Ashokbhai used to fancy himself as the Rajesh Khanna of Indian cricket,” said Rahul, indicating that his departed brother’s different spectacles frames had something to do with Rajesh Khanna’s style.