Bollywood Actor-politician Vinod Khanna has died in a Mumbai hospital on Thursday (April 27).
He was 70.
Khanna was taken to HN Reliance Foundation and Research Centre in Gurgaon some weeks ago, ostensibly for severe dehydration.
There were rumors that he was actually being treated for bladder cancer, reports NDTV.
Some days after we was taken to the hospital, Vinod Khanna’s son Rahul Khanna told news agency PTI, “Dad was hospitalized on Friday for severe dehydration. The situation was quickly brought under control, he’s doing much better and the doctors are looking to discharge him soon. Our family is most grateful for the extraordinary care he's been receiving at the hospital and we are touched by all the good wishes pouring in.”
A photo of a very frail Khanna in the hospital was circulated a while ago, prompting angry posts on social media asking that the actor's privacy be respected.
Vinod Khanna was one of the top Hindi film stars of the 1970’s and 80’s and was known for his macho image.
He made his debut in 1968 film Mann Ka Meet, playing the villain opposite Sunil Dutt. He continued playing negative roles and supporting characters in films like 1970’s Purab Aur Paschim and 1971’s Mera Gaon Mera Desh.
In the same year, he was cast as the lead actor in Hum Tum Aur Woh and then in the Gulzar-directed Mere Apne.
Vinod Khanna starred in several major films like Amar Akbar Anthony, Parvarish, Hera Pheri and Muqqadar Ka Sikander before spending five years as a disciple of spiritual teacher Osho.
Khanna returned to films in 1987’s Insaaf and also had a big film in Chandni. He continued working through the 90’s and the 2000s. He had a role in both Salman Khan’s Dabangg movies and his last screen appearance was opposite Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol in 2015’s Dilwale.
Vinod Khanna was the parliamentarian from Gurdaspur in Punjab, a seat he wins several times on a BJP ticket. He also served as the Union Minister of Culture and Tourism and Minister of State for External Affairs.
Vinod Khanna was married twice. He has two sons, Rahul and Akshaye, with first wife Geetanjali, and a son and daughter with second wife Kavita, who survives him.
BDST: 1253 HRS, APR 27, 2017
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