Vinod Khanna is an Indian film star who shines like a pole star in the sky of the cinema world. Vinod Khanna has appeared in a number of films. He had the opportunity to appear in almost every genre of film.
Initially, he was cast in a number of minor and negative roles, but later in his career, he appeared in a number of major and blockbuster films. During his early career, he received the Filmfare Award twice. Along with acting, he later entered politics and became an MP from Gurdaspur.
Vinod Khanna’s birth, early life and schooling
Vinod Khanna was born on October 6, 1946, in Peshawar, British India (now Pakistan), into a Punjabi Hindu family to Kamla and Kishanchand Khanna, a businessman dealing in textiles, dyes, and chemicals. He had three sisters and one brother. The partition of India in 1947 forced his family to flee Peshawar, relocating to Bombay (now Mumbai). They initially stayed with relatives, navigating the challenges of displacement. Khanna’s early education began at St. Mary’s School in Bombay, where he studied until class II. A bright student and teacher’s favorite, he excelled academically.
In 1957, the family moved to Delhi, where Khanna attended Delhi Public School, Mathura Road, further honing his intellect. By 1960, they returned to Bombay, but Khanna was sent to Barnes School, a boarding school in Deolali, near Nashik. It was here that his passion for cinema ignited, sparked by watching iconic films like Solva Saal and Mughal-e-Azam. These experiences shaped his dream of becoming an actor, despite his father’s desire for him to join the family business.
Khanna graduated with a commerce degree from Sydenham College, Bombay, but his heart was set on films. A cricket enthusiast, he once played alongside Test player Budhi Kunderan, later joking he chose acting after realizing he couldn’t match cricketing legends like Vishwanath. His father fiercely opposed his Bollywood ambitions, even threatening him with a gun, but his mother’s intervention secured a two-year window to prove himself. This determination marked the start of Khanna’s journey from a commerce off-screen, Khanna joined a theater group, meeting his future wife, Gitanjali Taleyarkhan. Spotted by Sunil Dutt, he debuted in Man Ka Meet (1968), launching a legendary career.
Read-Rajesh Khanna: The Journey Of Bollywood’s First Superstar
Vinod Khanna’s personal life
Vinod Khanna married twice and had four children. His first marriage was to Gitanjali Taleyarkhan in 1971, whom he met during his theater days in Bombay. The couple had two sons: Rahul Khanna, born in 1972, and Akshaye Khanna, born in 1975. Both sons later pursued acting careers, with Rahul debuting in 1947 Earth (1999) and Akshaye in Border (1997). Vinod and Gitanjali’s marriage faced strains, reportedly due to his demanding career and spiritual pursuits, leading to their divorce in 1985.
In 1990, Vinod married Kavita Daftary, daughter of industrialist Sharayu Daftary. They had two children: a son, Sakshi Khanna, born in 1991, and a daughter, Shraddha Khanna, born in 1993. Sakshi debuted as an actor in the short film Good Morning (2021), while Shraddha has stayed away from the limelight, with little public information about her pursuits. Kavita, a low-profile figure, supported Vinod through his later career and political endeavors. Their marriage lasted until his death in 2017. Vinod maintained a close bond with all his children, balancing his Bollywood stardom and spiritual life with family responsibilities.
Vinod Khanna’s filmography and career
Vinod Khanna was handsome in his youth. His stature was also adequate. As a result, he began to receive work very quickly. Vinod Khanna made his film debut in Adurthi Subba Rao’s Mann Ke Meet, directed by Sunil Dutt.
In this film, he played the antagonist, while Som Dutt (Sunil Dutt’s Brother) played the protagonist. This movie was a remake of a Tamil film called ‘Kumari Pain.’
Sunil Dutt made this movie to establish his brother in Hindi cinema, but it was Vinod Khanna who got recognition from the movie.
In addition, he portrayed a negative character in a number of such films. Between 1968 and 1971, he established himself in the industry by playing negative roles in films such as ‘Purab Aur Paschim,’ ‘Sachcha Jhootha,’ ‘Aan Milo Sajna,’ ‘Mastana,’ ‘Mera Gaon Mera Desh,’ and others.
1971 to 1982
Vinod Khanna is one of the few actors who began his career as a villain and later rose to prominence as a hero. However, in the film industry, it is extremely difficult. Vinod Khanna had the opportunity to play the lead role in the 1971 film Hum Tum Aur Woh. He co-starred in this film with Bharti Vishnuvardhan.
He also appeared in Gulzar Sahab’s film ‘Mere Apne’ that year. This movie was a remake of a Bengali film called ‘Apanjan.’ Following that, in 1973, he appeared in Gulzar’s film ‘Achanak,’ written and directed by Gulzar. The film was well-received by both the general public and film critics.
Vinod Khanna’s romantic form in the film ‘Hum Tum Aur Woh’ was well received, and this form of Vinod Khanna was later seen in a number of films.
From 1973 to 1982, he starred as a solo hero in a number of films. Farebi, Hatyara, Kaid, Zalim, Inkar, and other characters appear in these films.
These films helped to establish his distinct identity among the general public. During the production of these films, he was seen working with actresses such as Moushumi Chatterjee, Leena Chandavarkar, and Vidya Singh.
Following these films, Vinod Khanna’s resume was filled with a slew of blockbusters. He appeared in films such as Gaddar, Aap Ki Khatir, Main Tulsi Tere Aangan Ki, Khoon Ki Pukar, Shauk, Adha Din Adhi Raat, Aarop, Jail Yatra, Taqat, Daulat, and others.
Many actors do not play supporting roles after catching the line of the hero character, but Vinod Khanna also played many supporting roles. His stardom grew by four moons as a result of these supporting roles. He played a supporting role for Rajesh Khanna in films such as Aan Milo Sajna, Sacha Jhootha, Kudrat, Rajput, Prem Kahani, and others.
Vinod Khanna also appeared in a number of multi-hero films. Having more than one superstar at the same time is referred to as being a multi-hero. Vinod’s acting in these films also left a lasting impression on me. Shankar Shambhu, Chor Sipahi, Ek Aur Ek Eleven, Hera Pheri, Khoon Pasina, Amar Akbar Anthony, Zameer, Parvarish, Muqaddar Ka Sikandar, Hath Ki Safai, Aakhri Daku, and other films feature his work.
Controversies
During the filming of Mahesh Bhatt’s “Prem Dharam (1992),” a steamy bed scene between Vinod Khanna and actress Dimple Kapadia embarrassed the latter. Khanna allegedly continued kissing Dimple even after the director yelled ‘Cut!’ Things got worse when the crew had to force Khanna out of the bed. Later, the actor apologized to Dimple, claiming that he was drunk and had lost control of his senses.
The intimate scene between Vinod Khanna and Madhuri Dixit in Dayavan (1988) caused quite a stir at the time of the film’s release. The fact that Khanna was around 20 years older than Madhuri reportedly irritated the fans.
How did Vinod Khanna died?
Vinod Khanna was suffering from Bladder Cancer for many days and finally, on April 27, 2017, he died in Sir H. N. Reliance Foundation Hospital and Research Centre, Mumbai where was being treated for his illness.