A Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) MP from Gurdaspur district of Punjab and an old-timer actor-politician Vinod Khanna passed away leaving all his fans mourning. He was suffering from cancer. Recently, a shocking photo of the ailing actor during his treatment in the hospital had gone viral on social media. The photograph in question was extremely shocking because none had seen him in such a condition. His family then appealed to respect their privacy. However, because of his news of ailing broke through photograph many of actor fans came forward to support him and reached outside the hospital. Many organised a mass prayer for his early recovery and good health. Today, we received sad news about his passing away.
Khanna was an actor, he began his career with as a supporting actor but became superstar of his era later. He started his second inning of his career by entering into politics. Both of his career, one can say, was successful. Khanna was first elected as an MP from Gurdaspur in 1998 on BJP’s ticket. He was re-elected in the 1999 and 2004 general elections. He lost narrowly in 2009 to Pratap Singh Bajwa of Congress. He avenged his defeat in 2014 by winning from Gurdaspur for the fourth time. A Punjabi born in Peshawar (now in Pakistan), Khanna remained popular in the constituency despite allegations that he remained absent from the area most of the time. He is survived by sons – Akshaye, Rahul, Sakshi, daughter Shraddha and wife Kavita.
Vinod Khanna is the recipient of two Filmfare awards. Vinod Khanna acted in lead roles in many superhit films and is best remembered for his performance in films like Mere Apne, Mera Gaon Mera Desh, Gaddaar (1973 film), Jail Yatra, Imtihaan, Muqaddar Ka Sikandar, Inkaar, Kuchhe Dhaage, Amar Akbar Anthony, Rajput, Qurbani, Kudrat, Dayavan, Kaarnama,Suryaa. At that time, 1978-80, Vinod Khanna was one of the top league Hindi movie actors. It was sensational news to the Indian tabloids, that how a very successful actor had got into the trap of a controversial sex guru. It was just exceptional. As a baptised proud Sikh, the idea of going to some guru never arose. Vinod Khanna and Osho became part of media gossips those days. He became disciple of Rajneesh and started wearing orange robe and the Mala. In those days, Vinod Khanna was not much in news, he was out of acting. He was completely isolated from everyone and adapted sainthood.
In November 1985, OSHO and Vinod Khanna together arrived in New Delhi International airport. News of Osho’s arriving date from America spread like a wildfire at the time. Thousands of disciples from across North India were there with hope, anticipation and positive energy. No one knew, from which airline Osho will be arriving, so neck and eyes were stretched not to miss the glimpse. During these few minutes, everyone has opportunity to see together Osho and India’s much appreciated Cine actor Vinod Khanna, they entered the black Mercedes and drove towards the Hotel Hayat.
Before coming back finally to Pune in 1986, Osho spent some months in Mumbai in a villa of a disciple. From there, he started giving discourses before a small gathering. Those days, many Ashram’s of Osho were on legal and moral police radar, no one knew what happening there. However, Vinod Khanna stepped out of the cult and started leading a normal life. Meanwhile, Osho died of many ailments. Vinod Khanna returned back to his movie world and was happily welcomed by the film fraternity. Two or three years after Osho’s departure from this life, and when the Inner Circle was keeping the fire alive, Vinod Khanna was seen surprisingly in the ashram with his family.
Since Osho’s death, Vinod Khanna became a prominent politician. In 2014 General Election, he convincingly won his seat, after having lost in the previous poll. Mr. Khanna became minister in Atal Bihari Vajpayee government at the centre.
Khanna, completed his schooling from St. Mary’s School, Mumbai and transferred to St. Xavier’s High School, Delhi. He was also a proud alumnus of Delhi Public School, Mathura Road. After his family shifted base to Mumbai in 1960, he went to Barnes School in Deolali, near Nashik. It was there he first felt the love for cinema. At the boarding school, Khanna watched ‘Solva Saal’ and ‘Mughal-e-Azam’ and knew movie business is where he wants to be. Later, he graduated with a commerce degree from Sydenham College, Mumbai. Once decided, Vinod Khanna took the big plunge and made a smashing debut in Sunil Dutt’s ‘Man Ka Meet’ (1968). The film was directed by Adhurti Subba Rao, and in a negative role, Khanna outshone the lead actor. Before making it big in mainstream films, he tried his hands in supporting or villainous roles.
In 1990, he got married to Kavita and they have a son, Sakshi and a daughter, Shraddha. Khanna was reportedly suffering from cancer and breathed his last on April 27, 2017.
Vinod Khanna’s demise has created a void which can never be filled again.
May his soul rest in peace!
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