His Panther like walk was unmatched. The words rugged and handsome were reserved just for him. His chiselled looks, the deep cleft on his chin, intense eyes and his awesome physique were easy enough to make the ladies swoon over him. A few could escape his magnetic charm.
From being a superstar to a disciple of Osho to being a politician, Vinod Khanna lived a complete life. But a pall of gloom descended on the Hindi Cinema, as the sad news of his passing away came out on Thursday, April 27. The legendary actor left for the heavenly abode around 11:20 a.m. at the Reliance Foundation Hospital in Mumbai, after losing his battle with cancer.
One of the most handsome and charismatic actors of Bollywood, Vinod Khanna, acted in more than 100 films in a career spanning more than four decades. He started his film journey as a villain in 1968, with the Sunil Dutt directed Man Ka Meet. However, this handsome hunk was always destined for lead roles. Starting with Hum Tum Aur Woh opposite Bharathi in 1971, as a lead actor, Vinod never looked back. Mere Apne and Achanak catapulted him to fame. His most memorable films as hero were Amar Akbar Anthony, Muqaddar Ka Sikandar, Parvarish, Qurbani, Hera Pheri, Khoon Pasina, The Burning Train, Dayavan etc just to name a few.
He also mesmerised his fans and critics alike in some offbeat films such as Achanak, Imtihaan and Shaque, and who can forget his rocking performance as a baddie Jabbar Singh in Mera Gaon Mera Desh. He married his college sweetheart and model, Gitanjali Talyerkhan in 1971 and with whom he had two sons Rahul and Akshaye.
In 1982 at the peak of his stardom he quit films, and left his family to seek spirituality. He followed his Guru, Osho to the US. It is widely assumed among many of his diehard fans that he would have easily beaten Amitabh Bachchan in the race to capture the number one position in the Bollywood. He worked as Rajneesh's personal gardener, at his Oregon Ashram, for five years, which had an expected impact on his marriage ending in a divorce.
However, Vinod Khanna could not stay away from arc lights forever. He came back with Insaaf in 1987 and tasted success with Satyamev Jayate, Chandni and Jurm once again. On the personal front he married Kavita Daftary, the daughter of a renowned industrialist Sharayu Daftary. He had 2 children, Sakshi & Shraddha with Kavita. He turned a producer in 1997 with the movie Himalyaputra and launched his younger son Akshay. He also dabbled in Politics and served as a BJP MP from Gurdaspur between 1998-2009 and 2014 -2017.
His charisma and passion made him a winner on the political front as well, as his political status elevated when he became a Minister of State for External Affairs in Jan 2003, from his previous position as a Minister of Culture & Tourism. He continued to do character roles in a few films as well. And also did TV, as he played the lead role of Kashinath in the Mere Apne. He acted alongside Salman khan in Dabang. His last film appearance was in the 2015 flick Dilwaale alongside Shah Rukh Khan.
The suave and debonair Vinod Khanna will always live in the hearts of millions of his fans through his films. Some of his songs like Ruk Jaana Nahin Yu Kahin haar ke will always inspire people from all walks of life and be etched in our memories forever. His innocent smile, larger than life screen image and generosity will surely be missed. Na koi hai, Na koi tha, Bollywood Main Tumhare Siwa.