Vinod Khanna: A Life Dedicated to Cinema and Public Service

By Amit Kumar

Vinod Khanna, born on October 6, 1946, in Peshawar, British India, was one of Bollywood’s most charismatic and versatile actors. He entered the film industry in 1968 with the movie “Man Ka Meet,” initially playing supporting and villainous roles. Over a career spanning nearly five decades, Khanna appeared in 137 films, including 54 solo hero films and 47 multi-star cast films, and earned acclaim for his compelling performances in both commercial and critically acclaimed movies.

Khanna’s breakthrough came in the early 1970s with notable films such as “Mere Apne,” “Mera Gaon Mera Desh,” and “Achanak.” He achieved superstardom with hits like “Haath Ki Safai,” “Amar Akbar Anthony,” “Muqaddar Ka Sikandar,” and “Qurbani,” the latter becoming the highest-grossing film of 1980. He was recognized as one of the highest-paid actors in Hindi cinema during the late 1970s and 1980s. Besides his solo successes, Khanna was also known for two-hero films alongside stars like Amitabh Bachchan and Shashi Kapoor, contributing to many box-office hits.

A unique phase in his life was his brief sabbatical in the early 1980s to pursue spirituality before returning to films in 1987. Post-comeback, Khanna was mostly offered action roles but also delivered memorable performances in films such as “Chandni” and “Jurm”.

In addition to his film career, Vinod Khanna served as a Member of Parliament representing the Gurdaspur constituency in Punjab from 1998 to 2009 and again from 2014 until his passing in 2017.

Khanna passed away on April 27, 2017. His contributions were honored posthumously with prestigious awards and a lasting legacy in Indian cinema.