Vinod Khanna

Vinod Khanna burst onto the Hindi film scene in 1968 and quickly became one of Bollywood's most magnetic leading men. Making his mark in the early '70s with roles in *Mere Apne* and *Achanak*, he rode the wave of the action-hero craze to become a box-office powerhouse throughout the 1970s and early '80s. At his peak, Khanna was competing directly with Amitabh Bachchan for the top spot, commanding some of the highest fees in the industry. His most iconic period saw him star in countless masala blockbusters that defined an era of Hindi cinema. In 2018, Khanna was posthumously awarded the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, India's most prestigious film honor, cementing his legacy as one of cinema's true greats. What really set Vinod Khanna apart wasn't just his acting prowess—it was his undeniable style and charisma. The media dubbed him the "Sexy Sanyasi," and he was genuinely a fashion and style icon who influenced a generation. What makes his story even more fascinating is that he walked away from it all in 1982, right when he was at the absolute top, to pursue a spiritual path with his guru Osho Rajneesh for five years. He eventually returned to films and later pivoted to politics, serving as an MP and holding ministerial posts. Whether on screen or off, Khanna's impact on Indian cinema remained undeniable—a reminder of an era when Bollywood heroes were larger than life.

Awards & Nominations

• 1977 – Nominated – Filmfare Award for Best Actor for Shaque • 1979 – Nominated – Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor for Muqaddar Ka Sikander • 1981 – Nominated – Filmfare Award for Best Actor for Qurbani • 1990 – Nominated – Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor for Chandni • 1999 – Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award • 2005 – Stardust Awards – Role Model for the Year • 2007 – Zee Cine Award for Lifetime Achievement • 2017 – Dadasaheb Phalke Award (posthumously).