Actor, MP Vinod Khanna passes away at 70

Vinod Khanna, the handsome hero of Hindi films in the 70’s and popular as Amitabh Bachchan’s on-screen brother in the 80s passed away on Thursday.

Khanna was admitted to Sir HN Reliance Foundation hospital on March 31 with severe dehydration. The hospital authorities refused to share reasons for his demise. He was reportedly suffering from cancer.

The veteran actor had 100 odd films to his credit and had an active political career too. He was a BJP member of Parliament from Gurdaspur, Punjab.

He debuted in Mann Ka Meet in 1968 but first drew attention with his intense acting in Mere Apne . With Mera Gaon Mera Desh he established himself as a star. He went on to give hits like Imtihaan, Inkaar, Amar Akbar Anthony, Lahu ke Do Rang, Qurbani, Dayavaan and Jurm.

His film Achanak, released in 1973 was not a big hit but won him critical acclaim as an actor.

But at the peak of his film career he suddenly gave up everything to join his Guru Osho Rajnish in his Ashram in 1982. After a five-year sojourn, he again signed up films and made a come-back with Insaaf and Satyamev Jayate. His character role in Salman Khan starrer Wanted and Dabang not only won him critical acclaim but also won people’s hearts.

Vinod Khanna received the Filmfare award for best supporting actor category for Haath Ki Safaai. In 1999, he received the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award, and in 2007 he won a lifetime achievement award at the Zee Cine Awards.

His political career did not deter him from doing films and in fact he was more appreciated as an actor in later films. Considered to be one of the handsomest actors in Hindi film industry, his health deteriorated in 2016.

He will always be remembered not only as a popular film star but also an enigmatic one who was constantly exploring himself in different fields, be it films, politics or spiritualism.

With inputs from PTI