Nonika Singh

One of the handsomest actors to have walked down the Bollywood hall of fame is no more. If Vinod Khanna’s last photograph — showing his emaciated condition — was any indication, he did appear to be battling a life-threatening disease. It was advanced bladder carcinoma that consumed the man who knew no fear.

His passion for life manifested in many ways. From the material to the spiritual world, he experienced it all. A sanyasi, politician, style icon and a fine actor; the world knew him differently at different points. What bound his different avatars was the charisma that he exuded not just on screen, but in person too. Born in Peshawar on October 6, 1946, the Adonis-looking man was introduced by Sunil Dutt in Man Ka Meet. Though starting on a “villainous” footing, he made a mark in his very first break (a flop though), that was followed by 15 more assignments.

Marriage to college sweetheart Gitanjali, two sons (Akshaye and Rahul grew up to be good-looking actors in their own right) and a career going great guns — his heydays saw him star in superhits such as Qurbani, The Burning Train and Main Tulsi Tere Aangan Ki. Vinod Khanna was often tipped to dislodge matinee idol Amitabh Bachchan with whom he starred in Amar Akbar Anthony and Muqadar Ka Sikander.

But just when he seemed to skyrocket to heights of success, he announced his retirement and moved to be with his guru Rajneesh (Osho) in the US. Some dubbed Khanna the monk who sold his Ferrari though his first car was a Beetle.

But, once an actor, always an actor, and the break from tinsel town only proved to be a sabbatical of five years. His second innings did include significant films like Dayavan, Lekin and Chandni, but was not as rocking. Last seen in Shah Rukh Khan’s Dilwale, he never though lost that impactful winsome smile. A swashbuckling hero who knew how to wear his hats, glasses and carried off-beat colours with aplomb, he remained a darling of audiences.

If the tryst with Osho cost him a split from first wife, he did find love again and married Kavita, from whom he has two children, a son and daughter.

In 1997, the actor had metamorphosed into a politician. By his own admission when asked to contest from Gurdaspur, he did not know where it was. A four-time MP, he visited his constituency often enough and those close to him swear by his humility and innate goodness.

His countless admirers can take comfort in his words, “Everything around us, whether good or bad, is a manifestation of God.”

The man who embraced spirituality knew very well, “You come alone, you leave alone. You have to travel your own path.” It’s been a fairly glorious one.

B-Town biggies at cremation

Actors Abhishek Bachchan, Rishi Kapoor and brother Randhir Kapoor, Arjun Rampal, Jackie Shroff, Kabir Bedi, Danny, Gulzar, Subhash Ghai and Ramesh Sippy were among those who attended the funeral. Khanna's fans thronged the streets outside the Worli crematorium to catch last glimpse of the actor who died of cancer at a hospital in Mumbai on Thursday morning at the age of 70.

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Vinod Khanna, truly "Mere Apne", one of my most admired and loved personalities, the supremely handsome & talented superstar is no more..1>2 — Shatrughan Sinha (@ShatruganSinha) April 27, 2017

Will miss you Amar. RIP. pic.twitter.com/WC0zt71R4J — Rishi Kapoor (@chintskap) April 27, 2017

#VinodKhanna ji had a magnetic charm & persona. Both on & off screen. He was kind, affectionate & helpful. Loved his panther like walk. 🙏🙏 pic.twitter.com/q01Hmqxbdp — Anupam Kher (@AnupamPkher) April 27, 2017