The country was silenced today by the death of legendary actor Vinod Khanna. As the star politician passes away, fandom and celebrities wrote their condolences and final messages
Contemporaries as well as those actors who took centre stage much after actor Vinod Khanna had earned his acting chops, took to the social media to express their condolences on the actors demise.
Actor Sanjay Dutt, whose father, late Sunil Dutt was the producer of Khanna’s very first film outing Man Ka Meet (1969) expressed his deep grief. “It is saddening to hear of the demise of Vinod Khanna ji. I have watched him as a child and throughout my life was always fascinated by his style and charisma. He was always a thorough gentleman. A big loss to the fraternity. He is and always will be family to the Dutts,” says the actor.
Amitabh Bachchan, the actor with whom Khanna shared the screen space in ten movies and reportedly had an intense rivalry, walked out of an interview on hearing of the actor’s death. Rishi Kapoor, who acted along with Bachchan and Khanna in Amar Akbar Anthony referred to Khanna by his screen name in the hit movie starring the trio. “Will miss you Amar. RIP... Remembering the good times with you, Vinod. Thank you for being my friend.”
Actor-turned-politician, Shatrughan Sinha who starred with him in Mere Apne seems to sum up the sentiments of many of the his fans. He says, “Vinod Khanna, one of my most admired and loved personalities, the supremely handsome and talented superstar is no more. Right from films to politics, Vinod Khanna and I sailed together and he leaves behind an entire generation & more of fans, admirers.”
Khanna’s life was relatively untouched by scandal. Singer Asha Bhosle who lent her voice to many of the songs in his movies including the super-hit Parvarish says, “Very sad to hear about Vinod Khanna ji. A decent man and a star till the very end.”
Actor Anupam Kher, with whom Khanna acted in Chandni (1989) and whose wife Kirron Kher like the latter is an MP with the BJP says, “Vinod Khanna ji had a magnetic charm and persona. Both on and off screen. He was kind, affectionate and helpful. loved his panther like walk.”
Khanna was an inspiration for many. His persona, on screen was undeniable and director-producer Karan Johar acknowledges that when he says, “His screen presence is unparalleled even today...his super star swag is what we grew up on... RIP Vinod Khanna... thoughts and prayers.”
But Johar is not alone from the relatively newer breed of Bollywood which loved him and lined up to express condolences. Actor, Akshay Kumar, who reprised Khanna’s role in Achanak (1973) recently in the movieRustom (2016) says, “Sad to learn about the passing away of Vinod Khanna sir, one of the most charismatic actors... truly end of an era.”
Such was Khanna’s presence that even in negative roles he sometimes outshone the lead. Director Sujoy Ghosh recalls, “My dad made me see a film called Patthar Aur Payal... I came out becoming a fan of the villain. Thank you Vinod Khanna for the films.”
Another actor Shraddha Kapoor, whose father has starred alongside Khanna in several movies says, “One of the most loved, handsome and wonderful actors. Big loss. We have lost a legend today. Will always be a fan.”
Esha Deol, whose mother, Hema Malini often starred as the female lead opposite Khanna says, “Extremely saddened by the news of my darling uncle Vinod Khanna passing away. Our condolences to his family! May his soul RIP.
Even people outside the Bollywood community have mourned the loss of the actor. legendary santoor player, Amjad Ali Khan, says, “Deeply saddened to know about the passing away of Vinod Khanna one of the most charismatic actors of our times. Condolences to the family.”
Prime Minister Narendra Modi mourned Vinod Khanna’s death, by tweeting “Will always remember Vinod Khanna as a popular actor, dedicated leader and a wonderful human. Pained by his demise. My condolences”.
Perhaps it is director, producer and writer Hansal Mehta took a leaf out of Khanna’s movie, Imtihaan to sum up our feelings. “Ruk Jaana nahi kahin tu haarke...Kaante pe chalke milengay saaye bahaar ke....oh rahi oh rahi... RIP Vinod Khanna.”
Khanna’s body was taken from the hospital to his little Gibbs Road residence at Malbar Hills in south Mumbai, where a large number of film personalities, family members and friends came to have last glimpse of the departed actor.
later in the evening, Khanna’s last rites were performed at the Worli crematorium where several prominent film personalities like Amitabh Bachchan and Rishi Kapoor, turned up to pay their tributes to the departed actor. Big-B was accompanied by his son Abhishek.
Jackie Shroff, Danny Denzongpa, Dia Mirza, her husband Sahil Sangha and director Ramesh Sippy were prominent among others who were present at the crematorium.