Fans mourn Vinod Khanna's death. Twitter reactions
Veteran Bollywood actor Vinod Khanna passed away this morning at the age of 70. The actor, also a BJP MP from Gurdaspur, Punjab, was reportedly battling cancer for quite some time now.
Vinod Khanna was hospitalised due to "severe dehydration" on March 31. The 70-year-old actor was admitted to the HN Reliance Foundation and Research Centre in Girgaum. Recently, an image of an extremely frail-looking Khanna was doing the rounds on social media which led many to believe that the actor was suffering from bladder cancer.
As columnist Gautam Chintamani wrote in DailyO, Khanna was one of the leading new-age villains, and in a marked departure from the likes of Pran or Premnath was considered “hero” material right from the time he debuted in Sunil Dutt’s Man Ka Meet (1968).
At a time when Amitabh Bachchan was being hailed as the next superstar around 1973, when Rajesh Khanna’s fortunes had taken a dip and Bachchan with Namak Haraam (1973) and Zanjeer (1971) had come into his own, Khanna’s changeover from a villain to a leading man was complete.
Khanna acted in more than 100 films, and is best remembered for his performance in movies like Mere Apne, Mera Gaon Mera Desh, Imitihaan, Inkaar, Amar Akbar Anthony, Lahu ke Do Rang, Qurbani, Dayavaan and Jurm. He was last seen in Shah Rukh Khan-starrer 2015 film Dilwale.
The late actor is survived by his wife Kavita Khanna, sons Rahul, Akshaye and Sakshi, and daughter Shraddha Khanna.
Reactions on social media:
Born in Peshawar, made it in Mumbai, served as MP from Gurdaspur. What a journey. Man who started as villian, ended up as hero. #VinodKhanna
— Abhijit Majumder (@abhijitmajumder) April 27, 2017
Absolute favorite, the most handsome and more importantly a better politician among other actor turned MPs. #VinodKhanna #Goodbye
— Rofl Gandhi (@RoflGandhi_) April 27, 2017
Charming. Talented. Humble... RIP #VinodKhanna... End of an era... You will be missed, Sir... Heartfelt condolences.
— taran adarsh (@taran_adarsh) April 27, 2017
Will miss you Amar. RIP. pic.twitter.com/WC0zt71R4J
— Rishi Kapoor (@chintskap) April 27, 2017
Vinod Khanna passes away: was watching his stellar performance in Imtihan the other night. Always a HERO! RIP
— Rajdeep Sardesai (@sardesairajdeep) April 27, 2017
Ruk jaana nahi tu kahin haar ke... #VinodAmarHai RIP
— Rajdeep Sardesai (@sardesairajdeep) April 27, 2017
RIP #VinodKhanna. Losing him is sad enough. Sadder still that in his last days, his privacy was invaded in such a horrendous fashion.
— Anna MM Vetticad (@annavetticad) April 27, 2017
#VinodKhanna was always very poised.And had such control on screen.Had a great career.And, some stellar roles.Rest in peace, sir.
— Sorabh Pant (@hankypanty) April 27, 2017
#VinodKhanna ji had a magnetic charm & persona. Both on & off screen. He was kind, affectionate & helpful. Loved his panther like walk. ???????? pic.twitter.com/q01Hmqxbdp
— Anupam Kher (@AnupamPkher) April 27, 2017Condolences on sad demise of veteran actor & BJP MP Shri #VinodKhanna ji, may God render peace to the departed soul & solace to his family.
— Arun Jaitley (@arunjaitley) April 27, 2017