“Everybody has to travel alone. You come alone. You go
alone”
Why would an actor, who is at the peak of his career,
winning titles, glories and the hearts of people, decide to leave it all behind
for one man, for one motive, for one word…. freedom?
Vinod Khanna left his fans and colleagues stunned when he
took a life-changing decision to quit Bollywood. While the people of India were
oblivious to what made him take this decision especially at the peak of his
acting career, his colleagues were beginning to join the dots of his future
plans.
Vinod Khanna Career
Khanna began his career in the film industry in 1968 with
his debut film, Mere Apne and since then has had back to back films released
where he mostly played the role of a villain but won hearts of the audience. He
soon began working alongside popular film stars including Rajesh Khanna in
Saccha Jootha, Amitabh Bachchan in Amar Akbar Anthony and with Dharmendra in
Mera Gaon Mera Desh to name a few.
During the release of his popular blockbuster films in the late
70’s he was already beginning to take a different path than his fellow
co-actors. He would shoot for his films on weekdays and drive to Pune to spend
the weekend with his guru, Rajneesh Osho.
The philosopher had a huge impact on Khanna’s mannerisms
too. He would often be seen on the movie sets dressed in an orange kaftan and a
beaded mala. With each passing day his beliefs in the philosopher grew so strong
that he would often quote Osho during his interviews.
When and Why Did
Vinod Khanna Leave Bollywood?
By 1980, Vinod Khanna had become one of the most successful
actors of his generation when his behaviour began to concern the people around
him. His disinterest in films became more apparent to his co-workers and just
then he took the step to quit Bollywood.
He was in the midst of shooting Mahesh Bhatt’s film,
Shatru when Osho’s Pune aashram had to shut down and overnight the
philosopher moved to the United States. Khanna, already attached to Osho, decided
to follow him to Rajneeshpuram in Central Oregon, United States.
Vinod Khanna shot 75% of the film and left the country
confusing the directors and co-actors. He did not answer their calls and was
not convinced to return back to India even after Mahesh Bhatt personally visited
him in Oregon.
The news was a surprise to the entire film industry and the
people were in denial until there were reports of Khanna returning huge sums of
signing amounts. This was when it was confirmed that the rumours were true and
the actor quit Bollywood.
On the advice of his secretary, to address the rumours,
Vinod Khanna held a press conference which during the 80’s was unique. The
media was shocked to see a composed Khanna announcing that he was quitting the
film industry with no elaborate speech or explanation. The star said that he
was moving on with his life.
Vinod Khanna and Osho
Soon there were rumours around the legality of Osho’s Pune
aashram and due to lack of funds, the philosopher moved to the United States.
With Vinod Khanna following his footsteps, it only gave the media more news to
spread about the aashram and Osho.
The actor then moved to the United States giving up
everything, his family, friends, career and materialistic possessions to follow
Osho and his path of sanyaas. He became the monk who sold his Mercedes. He was
named Swami Vinod Bharti by Osho and continued to live a mundane, simple life
in the United States.
He was a gardener in Rajneeshpuram which included his
responsibilities of watering, trimming, pruning and planting trees etc. As
described by his friends at the aashram, he was a good-natured man and a deep
meditator.
When asked why would a man, who is at the peak of his life,
leave it all behind for sanyaas, he replied that his mind made him take that
decision. He said, “My mind was hyper, my thoughts were all over the place. I
was very angry as I had reached a saturation point… When I would meditate, I realised
I could master my mind”
As per media reports, Khanna was drawn towards Osho after
the death of his cousin in a car accident and his mother passing away. He
joined Osho and the path of sanyaas to find his inner self. Besides, he also
communicated during several interviews that speaking to Osho made him realise
of life’s eternal truth: Death.
Vinod Khanna’s Return
to Bollywood
The actor was out of touch with the media until 1985 when he
announced his divorce along with Osho’s aashram being shut down and the
philosopher deported from the United States. Several rumours emerged about the
closure of the aashram which was most probably due to lack of funds.
After his long hiatus, Vinod Khanna was back to Bollywood when
he was spotted on a magazine cover with a white beard. The monk who sold his Mercedes
was back on the radar of the producers as the country celebrated his return
with Insaaf, Dayavan and Chandni and many more movies.
The 90’s were a rollercoaster for the actor. His career
began to decline but on the other hand in 1997, he announced his marriage to
Kavita Daftary. During the same year, he joined the Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP)
and now balanced Bollywood and Politics. Vinod Khanna’s last movie before his
death was Ek Thi Rani Aisi Bhi before he breathed his last on 27th
April, 2017.
Like the legend himself said, “Dost marte hai, dosti nahi marti”. His fans continue to support and immortalise him through his movies. His children, Akshaye Khanna, Rahul Khanna from his first marriage and Sakshi and Shraddha Khanna from his second marriage continue to carry on his legacy.
Written by Jerusha Patel
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