Former Bollywood heartthrob, Vinod Khanna passed away on Thursday after a long battle with cancer. The news was confirmed by his brother Pramod Khanna, who said, “He passed away at 11.20 am. It's a sad moment for us... We request you all (media) for privacy.”
The 'Qurbaani' actor was admitted to the Sir HN Reliance Foundation Hospital on March 31, with complications due to severe dehydration. An official statement released by the hospital said Khanna was suffering from bladder cancer. A BJP member of the Lok Sabha from Gurdaspur, Punjab, he was in his fourth term as MP. Fêted as one of the most handsome actors of the Hindi film industry, Khanna made his acting debut in 1968 with 'Man Ka Meet' and moved on to be a celebrated artist.
He has several blockbusters to his credit, including 'Mera Gaon Mera Desh', 'Reshma Aur Shera', 'Insaaf', and 'Dayavan'. He surprised his fans in 1982, a time when his career was its peak, by taking a break that lasted five years, to join Osho Rajneesh at his ashram in Pune. He soon returned and successfully delivered films like 'Satyameva Jayate'. Contemporary Shatrughan Sinha called his death a personal loss. “Vinod Khanna was a greatly admired personality. It's a personal and emotional loss for me as we have been very close and journeyed together in films as well as in politics.”
Rajinikanth said, “My dear friend Vinod Khanna... Will miss you, RIP. My heartfelt condolences to the family.” The actor is survived by wife Kavita, and four children Rahul, Akshaye, Sakshi, and Shraddha. The elder two were from his first wife Geetanjali.
