In the realm of men, there are those who simply tread the path, and then there are legends who forge their own with unwavering conviction, boundless confidence, and unmatched swagger. Vinod Khanna unquestionably falls into the latter category. While the sands of time might have dimmed the aura during his latter years, his enduring legacy still continues to serve as an eternal wellspring of inspiration for generations to come.
Today, Vinod Khanna, one of the most handsome men to have ever graced the silver screen, would’ve turned 77. On his birth anniversary, we look back at his audacious decision to quit films at the peak and turn into an Osho Rajneesh follower.
With a career spanning nearly five decades, Vinod Khanna weathered numerous highs and lows, yet the essence of a good-hearted man never abandoned him. Throughout his journey, Vinod Khanna exuded a timeless grace and captivating charm that remained indelibly etched in the hearts of admirers. Whether he was vying for the limelight alongside his dear friend Amitabh Bachchan or embarking on a spiritual odyssey under the guidance of Osho Rajneesh, Vinod Khanna retained his status as the quintessential matinee idol, effortlessly personifying casual candor.
In the late ’70s, Vinod Khanna emerged as the only superstar capable of providing Hindi film producers with a viable alternative to Amitabh Bachchan. He stood tall at the pinnacle of the industry, yet in a remarkable turn of events in 1982, he chose to follow the dictates of his heart. He wholeheartedly embraced the path of spiritual enlightenment, becoming a devoted disciple of Osho Rajneesh and adopting the name Swami Vinod Bharti. For the next five years, he dedicated himself to the propagation of the Osho cause in Western countries. However, the financial realities of life eventually compelled him to relinquish his active involvement and return to the world of cinema.
For many, stepping away from a career at its zenith would be considered a perilous act, but for the nonchalant Khanna, it was simply an embodiment of his philosophy of life. Hence, when he made his triumphant return to the silver screen in 1987, it was as though he had never left, delivering a string of blockbusters that reaffirmed his enduring star power.
Read More: [How Vinod Khanna Transformed into Swami Vinod Bharati](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/how-vinod-khanna-transformed-into-swami-vinod-bharati-throwback/articleshow/104212834.cms)
