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Vinod Khanna

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Vinod Khanna
Khanna in 2012
Minister of State for Culture & Tourism
In office
July 2002 – January 2003
Prime MinisterAtal Bihari Vajpayee
Minister of State for External Affairs
In office
January 2003 – May 2004
Prime MinisterAtal Bihari Vajpayee
Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha
In office
26 May 2014 – 27 April 2017
Preceded byPratap Singh Bajwa
Succeeded bySunil Jakhar
In office
1998–2009
Preceded bySukhbuns Kaur
Succeeded byPratap Singh Bajwa
ConstituencyGurdaspur
Personal details
Born(1946-10-06)6 October 1946
Peshawar, North-West Frontier Province, British India (present-day Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan)
Died27 April 2017(2017-04-27) (aged 70)
Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
Political partyBharatiya Janata Party
Spouses
  • Geetanjali Taleyar Khanna
    ​
    ​
    (m. 1971⁠–⁠1985)​
  • Kavita Daftary
    ​
    (m. 1990)​
[1]
Children4 (including Akshaye Khanna and Rahul Khanna)
Alma materSydenham College, Mumbai
Occupation
AwardsDadasaheb Phalke Award (2017)
Years active1968–2015
WorksFull list

Vinod Khanna (6 October 1946 – 27 April 2017) was an Indian actor, film producer and politician who is best known for his work in Hindi films;[2] while also being a notable spiritual seeker.[3] In Bollywood, he was the recipient of two Filmfare awards. Khanna was considered a style & fashion icon, often referred as 'Sexy Sanyasi' in media. After joining politics, he became the MP from the Gurdaspur constituency between 1998–2009 and 2014–2017. In July 2002, Khanna became the minister for Culture and Tourism in the Atal Bihari Vajpayee cabinet. Six months later, he became the Minister of State for External Affairs.[4]

Khanna made his film debut in 1968, and initially acted in supporting and antagonistic roles; as an angry young man in the social drama Mere Apne,[5] as the main villain[6] in the action drama Mera Gaon Mera Desh,[7] and as the military officer turned fugitive[8] in the crime drama Achanak, which was a film based on the events of K. M. Nanavati v. State of Maharashtra.[9][10]

In 1982, at the peak of his film career, Khanna temporarily took a break from the film industry to follow his spiritual guru Osho Rajneesh.[3] After a 5-year hiatus, he returned to the Hindi film industry with two successful films – Insaaf and Satyamev Jayate.[11] In his later film career, Khanna played several memorable roles as a father in blockbuster movies such as Wanted (2009), Dabangg (2010) and Dabangg 2 (2012).[12]

Khanna has been posthumously awarded India's highest award in cinema, the Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 2018 by the Government of India at 65th National Film Awards.

Early life

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Khanna was born in a Punjabi Hindu family to Kamla and Krishanchand Khanna on 6 October 1946, in Peshawar, British India (now in Pakistan).[13] He had three sisters and one brother. Shortly after his birth, India was partitioned and the family left Peshawar and moved to Bombay (present-day Mumbai).[14]

Khanna attended St. Mary's School, Bombay until class II and then transferred to Delhi.[15] In 1957, the family moved to Delhi where he attended Delhi Public School, Mathura Road. Although the family moved back to Bombay in 1960, he was sent to Barnes School in Deolali, near Nashik. During his time at the boarding school Khanna watched the epics Solva Saal and Mughal-e-Azam and fell in love with motion pictures.[16] He graduated with a commerce degree from Sydenham College, Bombay.[17] Khanna loved cricket and had said that "there was a time when I played fair cricket with (Test player) Budhi Kunderan.. but settled for films the moment I realised I couldn't be a Vishwanath! Even so cricket, not films, is my first love," as per his interview with The Illustrated Weekly of India in 1979.[18]

Career

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Rise to prominence (1968–1973)

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Vinod Khanna began his acting career in 1968 with a supporting role Man Ka Meet produced by Sunil Dutt. The film did well at the box office and Khanna got noticed by the audience.[19] His breakthrough came in 1970 as he co-starred alongside Rajesh Khanna in Sachaa Jhutha and Aan Milo Sajna and Manoj Kumar in Purab Aur Paschim, all three of which were blockbusters at the box office as well as among the top 5 highest grossing films of that year.[20]

In 1971, he bagged his first leading role in Gulzar's maiden directional venture Mere Apne, which opened to positive response from critics and proved to be a hit. He then played the antagonist in Raj Khosla's action drama Mera Gaon Mera Desh which had Dharmendra and Asha Parekh in the lead.[21] The film made the industry shift to action from romantic films and was an All Time Blockbuster at the box office with Khanna receiving praise for his menacing portrayal of a treacherous bandit.[22][23] He had another major hit in Kewal Mishra's actioner Do Yaar, the following year and a highly acclaimed crime drama with Gulzar's Achanak in 1973, based on the K. M. Nanavati v. State of Maharashtra case.[24]

Stardom (1974–1982)

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In 1974, Khanna starred in Prakash Mehra's masala film Haath Ki Safai which also had Randhir Kapoor and Hema Malini in the lead.[25] The film emerged a superhit at the box office and made Khanna a star alongwith winning him the Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor.[26][27] The huge box office success of Haath Ki Safai was followed by three more successful films, Imtihan and Patthar Aur Payal, the same year and Qaid, the next year.[28]

Khanna reached his peak in the late 70s.[26] In 1976, he reunited with Prakash Mehra for another masala film Hera Pheri co-starring Amitabh Bachchan, Saira Banu and Sulakshana Pandit.[29] The film went on to become a blockbuster and solidified his star-status.[30] He then delivered to more successes with Chand's and Raj Khosla's actioners, Shankar Shambhu and Nehle Pe Dehla, respectively.[30] 1977 proved to be the best year of his career with many successes.[26] His first release was the action crime film Khoon Pasina alongside Bachchan and Rekha, which proved to be a superhit.[31] His second release was Manmohan Desai's multistarrer masala film Amar Akbar Anthony.[32] It opened to thunderous response from the audience, eventually doing more business than Khanna's last big hit Khoon Pasina and emerging a massive blockbuster as well as the highest grossing films of that year.[31] Its soundtrack composed by Laxmikant–Pyarelal dominated the musical charts and was the seventh best-selling Hindi film album of the 1970s.[33] He then appeared in Aap Ki Khatir, Shaque and Hatyara. While the first two were moderately successful, Hatyara was a superhit at the box office.[31] Khanna once again reunited with Bachchan and Manmohan Desai for the crime drama Parvarish.[34] This one too like their previous ventures was a blockbuster and one of the highest earners of 1977.[35] Before the end of year, he had another superhit with Raj N. Sippy's crime thriller Inkaar, which was a remake of Japanese film High and Low, followed by two more successful films, Maha Badmaash and Chor Sipahee.[36][31]

Politics

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In 1997, Khanna joined the Bharatiya Janata Party[37] and was elected from Gurdaspur constituency in Punjab in the next year's Lok Sabha poll. In 1999, he was re-elected to the Lok Sabha from the same constituency. Later, he became union minister for culture and tourism in July 2002. Six months later, he was moved to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) as Minister of State. In 2004 he won re-election from Gurdaspur. However, Khanna lost out in the 2009 general elections. In the 2014 general election he was again elected for the 16th Lok Sabha from the same constituency.[38] No other Bollywood star has triumphed in four Lok Sabha polls (1998, 1999, 2004 and 2014). He also served as Union minister of state for tourism and culture, as well as external affairs.[39]

Personal life

[edit]

Khanna met his first wife Gitanjali Taleyarkhan in college.[40][16] Khanna married Gitanjali in 1971[41] and had two sons with her, Rahul and Akshaye; both became Bollywood actors. In 1975, he became a disciple of Osho and in the early 1980s, moved to Rajneeshpuram.[42][43] Khanna and Gitanjali settled for a divorce in 1985.[44]

In 1990, upon returning to India, Khanna married Kavita Daftary, daughter of industrialist Sharayu Daftary.[45] They had a son[46] and a daughter.[47]

Illness and death

[edit]

Khanna was hospitalised at Sir H.N. Reliance Foundation Hospital and Research Centre in Girgaon, Mumbai, on 2 April 2017 for a few weeks after suffering from severe dehydration. He died at 11:20 a.m. (IST) on 27 April, and it was revealed that he had been battling advanced bladder cancer. Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted “Will always remember Vinod Khanna as a popular actor, dedicated leader and a wonderful human. Pained by his demise. My condolences”.[48][49] He was cremated at the Worli Crematorium on the same day.[50]

Filmography

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Main article: Vinod Khanna filmography

Awards and nominations

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President Kovind presenting the Dadasaheb Phalke Award of Sh. Khanna posthumously to his wife and son Akshaye Khanna at the 65th National Film Awards on 3 May 2018.

Legacy

[edit]
Vinod Khanna's signed photo

Khanna is regarded as one of the greatest actors of Indian cinema.[57] Noted for his acting and looks.[58][59]

One of the most successful actors of the 1970s and 1980s, Khanna appeared in Box Office India's "Top Actors" list three times from 1977 to 1979.[60]

In 2022, he was placed in Outlook India's "75 Best Bollywood Actors" list.[61]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "'Women have the hots for me? What words you use!' Vinod Khanna, the sly charmer". Scroll.in. 27 April 2017. Archived from the original on 14 February 2019. Retrieved 30 July 2018.
  2. ^ "Vinod Khanna, 1946 – 2017: Actor, Politician, Icon". NDTVMovies.com. Retrieved 27 April 2017.
  3. ^ a b "Vinod Khanna and his tryst with spirituality and Osho Rajneesh". Deccan Chronicle. 27 April 2017. Retrieved 27 April 2017.
  4. ^ "Vinod Khanna: Reluctant Politician to India's Voice on Global Stage". News18. 28 April 2017. Retrieved 28 April 2017.
  5. ^ "Remembering Vinod Khanna: 15 Films That Celebrate the Legacy of the Actor". News18. 27 April 2017. Retrieved 27 April 2017.
  6. ^ Lokapally, Vijay. "Mera Gaon Mera Desh (1971)". The Hindu. Retrieved 30 April 2017.
  7. ^ "The actor who renounced success". Rediff.com. Retrieved 27 April 2017.
  8. ^ "Millennials Review Classics: Vinod Khanna's Hit-and-Miss 'Achanak'". The Quint. Retrieved 27 April 2017.
  9. ^ KUMAR, ANUJ. "Achanak (1973)". The Hindu. Retrieved 30 April 2017.
  10. ^ "Sunil Dutt, Vinod Khanna, Now Akshay: The Nanavati Case and Bollywood – NDTV Movies". NDTVMovies.com. 11 August 2016. Retrieved 30 April 2017.
  11. ^ "Vinod Khanna Special! 15 Unseen Pictures of the Legendary Actor!". filmibeat.com. 7 April 2017. Retrieved 27 April 2017.
  12. ^ Maniari, Parag (7 October 2019). "Salman Khan remembers Vinod Khanna as 'Dabangg 3' wraps shoot". The BStandard. Retrieved 5 June 2022.
  13. ^ "Happy birthday Vinod Khanna". Zee News. 6 October 2013. Retrieved 14 March 2016.
  14. ^ "Bollywood star Vinod Khanna has died, aged 70". The Daily Telegraph. 28 April 2017. Archived from the original on 12 January 2022. Retrieved 28 April 2017.
  15. ^ "Vinod Khanna—The debonair actor who will forever remain 'Amar' in Hindi films!". Zee News. 27 April 2017. Retrieved 27 April 2017.
  16. ^ a b "The uncensored Vinod Khanna". The Times of India. Retrieved 28 April 2017.
  17. ^ "My government". Archived from the original on 8 July 2018.
  18. ^ "Actor, seeker: A star trek ends". The Times of India.
  19. ^ "Vinod Khanna dies aged 70: He was the original debonair leading actor, with classic good looks". Firstpost. 27 April 2017. Retrieved 27 April 2017.
  20. ^ "Jai Ho Ends Salman Khan Run – Second Best Of All Time". Box Office India. Archived from the original on 18 February 2024. Retrieved 18 February 2024.
  21. ^ "Mera Gaon Mera Desh (1971)". Rotten Tomatoes.
  22. ^ "An Action Hero Is Very Dull - Drishyam 2 Is One Horse Race". 2 December 2022.
  23. ^ "Rewind - Sixty Years Of Dharmendra". Box Office India. 24 November 2020.
  24. ^ "Gulzar's Achanak is what Akshay Kumar's Rustom would have been if it didn't take the easy way out". 21 January 2023.
  25. ^ "Haath ki Safai (1974)". The Hindu. 4 April 2013. Archived from the original on 21 November 2023. Retrieved 21 November 2023.
  26. ^ a b c "Top Actors". Box Office India. Archived from the original on 19 February 2008. Retrieved 24 April 2020.
  27. ^ "Filmfare Nominees and Winner [sic]" (PDF). The Times Group. Retrieved 21 November 2023 – via Internet Archive.
  28. ^ "I'm not run of the mill".
  29. ^ "Hera Pheri (1976)".
  30. ^ a b "Film Information Classification (1976)".
  31. ^ a b c d "Flashback 1977 - Trade Guide Classification". 8 August 2024.
  32. ^ "100 Filmfare Days: 49- Amar Akbar Anthony". Filmfare. 10 June 2014. Archived from the original on 1 February 2018. Retrieved 3 February 2018.
  33. ^ "Music Hits 1970-1979". Box Office India. 5 February 2010. Archived from the original on 5 February 2010.
  34. ^ "Amitabh Bachchan walks out of interview after hearing news of Vinod Khanna's death". Zee News. 27 April 2017. Retrieved 27 April 2017.
  35. ^ "The Biggest Diwali BLOCKBUSTERS Of All Time". boxofficeindia.com. 7 November 2018. Retrieved 7 November 2018.
  36. ^ "Akira Kurosawa's High and Low". Archived from the original on 12 March 2011. Retrieved 11 October 2008.
  37. ^ "Acting is my bread and butter, but politics is my responsibility: Vinod Khanna | Latest News & Updates at Daily News & Analysis". dna. 10 May 2014. Retrieved 27 April 2017.
  38. ^ "Vinod Khanna, the politician: 4-time MP who handled two ministries under Vajpayee". Retrieved 27 April 2017.
  39. ^ "Obit by Avijit Ghosh in The Times of India".
  40. ^ Iyer, Meena (28 April 2017). "Vinod Khanna: The superstar who gave it all up..." Mumbai Mirror. Retrieved 30 July 2018.
  41. ^ "Vinod Khanna dies at 70, was suffering from bladder cancer". Hindustan Times. 27 April 2017. Retrieved 27 April 2017.
  42. ^ "How Vinod Khannas love for Bhagwan Rajneesh made him lose Bollywood superstardom to Amitabh Bachchan". Retrieved 27 April 2017.
  43. ^ "Vinod Khanna: An actor with a touch of sadness". Rediff. Retrieved 28 April 2017.
  44. ^ "Bollywood has a low divorce rate". The Times of India. Retrieved 30 April 2017.
  45. ^ "Filmstar Vinod Khanna weds Kavita Daftary". Retrieved 27 April 2017.
  46. ^ Bhattacharya, Roshmila (13 May 2014). "It's Arjun, not Sakshi in Milan's next". The Times of India. Retrieved 13 May 2014.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  47. ^ "Vinod Khanna Will Always Be Family to the Dutts, Says Sanjay Dutt – NDTV Movies". NDTVMovies.com. 27 April 2017. Retrieved 27 April 2017.
  48. ^ "Vinod Khanna death: Will remember him as dedicated leader, wonderful human, says PM Modi". 27 April 2017.
  49. ^ Mondal, Manisha; Das, Natasha. "Vinod Khanna passes away". The Hindu. Chennai. Retrieved 1 May 2017.
  50. ^ "Last rites of veteran actor Vinod Khanna performed in Mumbai". Deccan Chronicle. Hyderabad. Asian News International. 28 April 2017 [27 April 2017]. Retrieved 1 May 2017.
  51. ^ Kohli, Suresh. "Hera Pheri (1976)". The Hindu. Retrieved 27 April 2017.
  52. ^ yadav, sandeep. "Muqaddar Ka Sikandar (1978)". The Hindu. Retrieved 27 April 2017.
  53. ^ Ausaja, S. M. M (2009). Bollywood in Posters. Om Books International. ISBN 978-8187108559.
  54. ^ Sharma, Isha (27 April 2017). "Legendary Film Actor Vinod Khanna Passes Away at the Age of 70". The Times of India. Retrieved 28 April 2017.
  55. ^ "Stardust awards for Amitabh, Hrithik, Priety". The Tribune. 22 February 2005. Retrieved 19 December 2011.
  56. ^ "Legendary Film Actor Vinod Khanna Passes Away at the Age of 70". The Times of India. Retrieved 27 April 2017.
  57. ^ "Why it's difficult to recall my childhood without memories of Vinod Khanna". www.dailyo.in. Retrieved 27 April 2017.
  58. ^ "The best of Vinod Khanna on celluloid! Take a look". Zee News. 27 April 2017. Retrieved 27 April 2017.
  59. ^ "Vinod Khanna dies aged 70: He was the original debonair leading actor, with classic good looks". Firstpost. 27 April 2017. Retrieved 27 April 2017.
  60. ^ "Top Actors". Box Office India. Archived from the original on 19 February 2008. Retrieved 24 April 2020.
  61. ^ "75 Bollywood Actors Who Conquered Hearts Of The Millions". Outlook India. 12 August 2022. Archived from the original on 16 August 2022. Retrieved 16 August 2022.
Lok Sabha
Preceded by Member of Parliament
for Gurdaspur
1998–2009 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Member of Parliament
for Gurdaspur
2014–2017 		Succeeded by
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