Vinod Khanna, a prominent actor in Hindi cinema, left a lasting impact with his performances in over 140 films. Born in Peshawar, Pakistan, he rose to fame despite initial resistance from his family. On the occasion of his birth anniversary, we remember his contributions to Indian cinema. He was a contemporary of Amitabh Bachchan and both shared a strong bond and mutual respect. Khanna’s career began in 1968, featuring roles in films such as ‘Mere Apne’, ‘Mera Gaon Mera Desh’, and ‘Achanak’. The 1970s saw him achieve immense success with films like ‘Amar Akbar Anthony’ and ‘Muqaddar Ka Sikandar’. His journey to stardom was not without challenges, as his father once threatened him with a gun due to his acting ambitions. His father’s desire was to see him become a businessman. Khanna’s determination led him to triumph, eventually making his mark in the film industry. His debut film offered came after a meeting with Sunil Dutt. The actor was seeking a fresh face for a movie.
