Not Rajesh Khanna, Amitabh Bachchan, girls were madly in love with this hero, was Sridevi, Madhuri Dixit’s…, his name was…
Rajesh Khanna and Amitabh Bachchan may have enjoyed massive female fan following during their prime, but there was one actor of that era who captivated actresses and often outshone even these two superstars in terms of charm and stardom. Known for striking looks and magnetic screen presence, this actor became one of the most admired hero of his time. We are talking about none other than Vinod Khanna.
Born in 1946, Khanna began his film journey with Sunil Dutt’s Man Ka Jeet, but it was his powerful portrayal in Mera Gaon Mera Desh that rose him to stardom. Following that, he starred in successful projects including, Mere Apne, Achanak, and Imtihaan.
Interestingly, very few know that Vinod Khanna’s father was against his decision to enter films. However, he defied his father’s wishes and followed his passion, becoming one of the most successful actor of his time. He was, in fact, was seen as strong contender to Amitabh Bachchan, and the two when shared screen in several hit films, were frequently compared by audience and critics alike.
In 1982, at the peak of his career, Vinod Khanna shocked the entire world by announcing a sabbatical from acting. He moved to Oregon at Osho Rajneesh’s new ashram and engulfed in spirituality. For 5 years, Khanna was immersed in Osho’s devotion, after which he decided to make a Bollywood comeback.
Despite delivering hits after a major comeback, Vinod Khanna couldn’t recapture his stardom from the 70s. He delivered hits like Qurbani, Dayavan, Chandni, and Jurm, but also gave string of flops in the 90s. His last on-screen appearance was in 2015 Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol starrer Dilwale.
In 2017, the veteran actor was diagnosed with bladder cancer. He passed away on April 27, after suffering from severe dehydration.
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