Vinod Khanna, the spiritual seeker who quit acting at the peak of his career

Mumbai: Vinod Khanna – one of the most handsome and talented actors of Hindi Cinema, breathed his last after prolonged illness today. He was 70.

The actor, who was also a 4-time BJP MP from Gurdaspur in Punjab, had temporarily bid goodbye to the film industry at the peak of his career in 1982. He sought spiritual intervention from Rajneesh Osho and spent about 5 years in pursuit of salvation. He was reportedly already inclined towards Osho’s spiritual programme even earlier but when he gradually started losing interest in his work, he decided to quit films. He reportedly became a disciple of Osho in 1975. He was known as Swami Vinod Bharati among the followers of Osho.

Khanna was often spotted by his colleagues wearing saffron coloured clothes and beaded chains around his neck. His spiritual leanings reflected in his choice of clothing.

He returned to the film industry after staying in America for a few years and serving Osho’s organisation as a spiritual seeker.

It is often said that had Vinod Khanna not quit the film industry, he would have been a bigger star than Amitabh Bachchan.