Remembering Vinod Khanna: Lesser known facts about the handsome star on his birth anniversary
Dashing looks, charming avatar and a charismatic personality, Vinod Khanna was a heart-throb and owned the silver screen with his presence. Born on October 6, 1946, Vinod Khanna marked his presence in films, earning the audience’s love and critics’ appreciation. On his birth anniversary, here’s celebrating the stalwart with some lesser known facts.
Image Credit: Rahul Khanna Instagram Account
Commerce graduate from Sydenham College
Before following his passion into films and debuting in front of the camera, Vinod Khanna completed his education. Armed with a degree in commerce, the late actor was a graduate from Mumbai based Sydenham College. Despite being well educated, Vinod Khanna kept his degree aside to entertain fans on the big screen.
Anti-hero debut
Contrary to his image of being Bollywood’s most handsome man, Vinod Khanna had actually debuted in films as a villain. Vinod Khanna marked his entry in films with Sunil Dutt’s ‘Man Ka Meet’ in 1968. His anti-hero avatar was well appreciated and Vinod Khanna went on to earn more fame for his act of dacoit Jabbar Singh in ‘Mera Gaon Mera Desh’ (1971). Later in his career, Vinod Khanna went on to essay the lead hero in hits like ‘Amar Akbar Anthony’, ‘Muqaddar Ka Sikandar’ and ‘The Burning Train’ to name a few.
Image Credit: Rahul Khanna Instagram Account
‘Qurbani’ and ‘Rocky’
Vinod Khanna earned massive fame for his performance in 1980 release ‘Qurbani’. The film was reportedly first offered to Amitabh Bachchan, who turned down the movie and it turned out to be a big advantage for Vinod Khanna. The film emerged as a cult classic. Interestingly, there are a few films that even Vinod Khanna had turned down. He was reportedly offered ‘Rocky’ by Sunil Dutt, however he refused the role.
When Vinod Khanna paid for his own films
Vinod Khanna had apparently given funds to Arunaraje Patil, when her film was not working out. According to Mumbai Mirror, Vinod Khanna’s wife Kavita and filmmaker Arunaraje recently reminisced how the late actor paid for his own films at times. Vinod Khanna had essayed the lead role in Arunaraje Patil's film 'Rihaee’, which hit the screens in 1988.