Mumbai : Yesteryears superstar Rajesh Khanna is much better but would have to stay in the hospital for "a couple of days", said his estranged wife, actress Dimple Kapadia, who is taking care of him.

"He is much better today (Tuesday). He is not getting discharged today. He will be back home in a couple of days," Dimple told IANS. The 69-year-old was admitted to the Lilavati Hospital here Saturday.

It was expected he would be allowed to go home Tuesday as Dimple had told IANS Sunday that he "shall be discharged in a day or two". But his recovery will perhaps take more time. Rajesh Khanna, known as India s first superstar, has been battling health issues for quite some time. His manager told IANS June 20 that the actor had stopped taking food for "three or four days". This left fans worried, but the actor stepped out of his Bandra bungalow, Aashirvad, to wave at fans next day. Dimple and son-in-law Akshay Kumar were at his side and said that he was "fine".

In April, the actor was admitted to hospital after he felt uneasy and weak, and was discharged after about three days. Fondly called Kaka by his fans, his golden era started with the 1969 blockbuster "Aaradhana", which was followed by hits like "Do Raaste", "Safar", "Kati Patang" and "Anand". In 1973, he married Dimple and has two daughters with her - Twinkle and Rinke. They separated in 1984.

Their elder daughter Twinkle is married to Akshay Kumar and Rinke is married to London-based investment banker Samir Saran. After staying away from the limelight for years, Rajesh Khanna recently featured in Havell s fan new ad campaign called - Havells Fans Forever.