Sat Nov 16 07:40:00 IST 2024: ## Bollywood Star and Politician Vinod Khanna: A Life Remembered
**Mumbai, India** – Veteran Bollywood actor and politician Vinod Khanna, who passed away in 2017 at age 70, is being remembered for his multifaceted career. Khanna, a 1970s superstar, famously took a break from acting to join Osho’s ashram in America before returning to India and re-entering the film industry. However, his life took another turn when he entered politics in 1997, joining the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Khanna served as a Member of Parliament (MP) for the Gurdaspur constituency in Punjab, winning elections in 1998, 1999, and 2004. He also held ministerial positions, including Union Minister for Culture and Tourism and Minister of State at the Ministry of External Affairs.
Filmmaker Ananth Mahadevan recently shared anecdotes about his friendship with Khanna, revealing that he once urged the actor to run for Prime Minister. Khanna declined, citing the challenging and complex nature of politics. Mahadevan described Khanna as a man of quiet strength, who was approachable and engaging when he opened up.
Khanna’s life, marked by a successful film career, a spiritual journey, and a significant political career, concluded after a battle with advanced bladder cancer. He remains a memorable figure in Indian cinema and politics.
First Piper 