80s superstar Vinod Khanna passes away

Mumbai: Bollywood heartthrob of the 80s and former MP from Gurdaspur Vinod Khanna today died in Mumbai after a long battle with cancer, trade sources said. He was 70 and is survived by his wife Kavita Khanna, sons Rahul, Akshaye and Sakshi, and daughter Shraddha Khanna. 

One of the top actors of the ups and the ups along with his contemporary Amitabh Bachchan, Vinod Khanna established a niche for himself in the film industry with films like Amar Akbar Anthony, Lahu Ke Do Rang, Qurbani, Dayavaan, Jurm, Mere Apne, Mera Gaon Mera Desh, Imtihaan and Inkaar. He was also a Member of Parliament from Gurdaspur, Punjab.

Starting out with negative roles, Vinod Khanna soon graduated to lead roles in Hindi films. The actor, who made his film debut in 1968 with Mann Ka Meet, acted in over 100 films during his career. In the early 80s, he quit a flourishing career to join his Guru Osho Rajneesh at his Ashram. He gave up films altogether during that period.

After a five-year break from work, he started signing films again and gave two superhits, Insaaf and Satyamev Jayate. In the last few decades, despite his political career, Vinod continued acting and worked in films like Dabangg, Players, Dabangg 2 and Dilwale. However, in last couple of years, his deteriorating health kept him away from the public sphere. (UNI)