Happy birthday Vinod Khanna

Zee Media Bureau/Aparna Mudi

New Delhi: Vinod Khanna was born in a Punjabi family to Kamla and Kishanchand Khanna on 6 October 1946, in Peshawar. He has three sisters and one brother.Vinod Khanna made his debut in Sunil Dutt`s 1968 film ‘Man Ka Meet’ as a villain. He is one of the few Bollywood heroes who started as a villain but later started playing lead roles. He did several negative roles like in ‘Purab Aur Paschim’, ‘Sachaa Jhutha’, ’Aan Milo Sajna’, and ‘Mastana’ in 1970, and in ‘Mera Gaon Mera Desh’ and ‘Elaan’. He played the solo lead hero in ‘Hum Tum Aur Woh’ in 1971, which was followed by the 1971 multi-starrer critically acclaimed ‘Mere Apne’ that was directed by Gulzar. His portrayal in another Gulzar movie, ‘Achanak’, based on the Nanavati scandal, was highly appreciated by the audience. Later in his life he acted in character roles in ‘Deewaanapan’, ‘Wanted’ and ‘Dabangg’. In 1999 Vinod Khanna received a Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award for his contribution to the film industry for over three decades. Khanna married Geetanjali in 1971, and has two sons with her, Rahul Khanna and Akshaye Khanna. Both the sons have worked in several movies as leads. His marriage to Geetanjali Khanna ended in a divorce after which he married Kavita with whom he has 2 children, Sakshi and Shraddha. The dashing hero has also forayed into politics by joining the BJP and also held the ministry of culture and tourism in 2002. As he turns 67 today, here is wishing the dashing Vinod Khanna a very happy birthday and we hope he continues to win hearts with his intensity and refined suaveness.