Vinod Khanna: Life and times of the actor-politician

THE ASIAN AGE.

Published : Apr 27, 2017, 4:03 pm IST

Updated : Jan 12, 2018, 2:48 pm IST

Veteran actor and politician Vinod Khanna breathed his last in Mumbai on Thursday Here's a timeline of the most important events in his life.

Veteran actor and politician Vinod Khanna breathed his last in Mumbai on Thursday Here's a timeline of the most important events in his life.

Vinod Khanna was born in Peshawar, British India in a Punjabi family on 6 October, 1946.

Vinod Khanna was born in Peshawar, British India in a Punjabi family on 6 October, 1946.

Khanna made his debut in 1968 with the film 'Man Ka Meet' which was produced by Sunil Dutt.

Khanna made his debut in 1968 with the film 'Man Ka Meet' which was produced by Sunil Dutt.

Vinod Khanna got married to Geetanjali in 1971, with whom he had two children, Akshaye and Rahul. He divorced her in 1985.

Vinod Khanna got married to Geetanjali in 1971, with whom he had two children, Akshaye and Rahul. He divorced her in 1985.

Akshaye Khanna and Rahul Khanna are both actors.

Akshaye Khanna and Rahul Khanna are both actors.

Khanna was particularly known for his looks and was considered among the most handsome actors of that time.

Khanna was particularly known for his looks and was considered among the most handsome actors of that time.

Khanna started out in his career with numerous films where he was a villain including the 1971 film 'Mere Apne.'

Khanna started out in his career with numerous films where he was a villain including the 1971 film 'Mere Apne.'

After acting in several multi-hero films, Khanna got his first break as a lead hero in 'Hum Tum Aur Woh' which released in 1971.

After acting in several multi-hero films, Khanna got his first break as a lead hero in 'Hum Tum Aur Woh' which released in 1971.

Khanna's versatility was on display in one of his most popular films, 'Amar Akbar Anthony', also starring Amitabh Bachchan and Rishi Kapoor, where he also showcased his comic skills.

Khanna's versatility was on display in one of his most popular films, 'Amar Akbar Anthony', also starring Amitabh Bachchan and Rishi Kapoor, where he also showcased his comic skills.

Khanna left films for five years during the period from 1982 to 1987 when he became the follower of spiritual guru Osho Rajneesh.

Khanna left films for five years during the period from 1982 to 1987 when he became the follower of spiritual guru Osho Rajneesh.

He made an impressive comeback post the sabbatical, delivering the hit film 'Insaaf' opposite Dimple Kapadia in 1987.

He made an impressive comeback post the sabbatical, delivering the hit film 'Insaaf' opposite Dimple Kapadia in 1987.

Khanna got married to Kavita in 1990 with whom he had a daughter Shraddha.

Khanna got married to Kavita in 1990 with whom he had a daughter Shraddha.

Sakshi Khanna is his elder son from his second marriage.

Sakshi Khanna is his elder son from his second marriage.

Vinod Khanna joined Bharatiya Janata Party in 1997 and served as a Member of Parliament for the Gurdaspur Constituency multiple times and also became the Union Minister for Culture and Tourism and Minister of State for External Affairs.

Vinod Khanna joined Bharatiya Janata Party in 1997 and served as a Member of Parliament for the Gurdaspur Constituency multiple times and also became the Union Minister for Culture and Tourism and Minister of State for External Affairs.

Vinod Khanna's act as Salman Khan's father in two films of 'Dabangg' franchise is among his most popular characters in the past few years.

Vinod Khanna's act as Salman Khan's father in two films of 'Dabangg' franchise is among his most popular characters in the past few years.

Vinod Khanna was last seen in Shah Rukh Khan's 'Dilwale' which released in 2015.

Vinod Khanna was last seen in Shah Rukh Khan's 'Dilwale' which released in 2015.

'Ek Thi Rani Aisi Bhi', a film he shot with Hema Malini and completed in 2010 is set to release this month and will be the last time we see him on the big screen.