By Tanveer Zaidi
Some stars burn bright — and then there are those who, at the very height of their brilliance, walk away from the spotlight in search of something deeper. Vinod Khanna was one such man — a matinee idol who ruled hearts in the 1970s and early ’80s, and yet, at the peak of his fame, chose the quiet of a commune over the chaos of cinema.
In 1982, when Vinod Khanna was at the zenith of his career — basking in the glory of Qurbani and standing shoulder to shoulder, if not a step ahead, of Amitabh Bachchan– he made a decision that stunned the film industry. He left everything — money, fame, fanfare — to join Osho Rajneesh’s ashram in Oregon, USA.
The Search for Peace Beyond Fame
Behind the glamour lay a restless mind. Friends and colleagues spoke of an emotional storm within — a man torn between worldly success and spiritual emptiness. Osho’s teachings spoke to that void. In the quiet gardens of Rajneeshpuram, the superstar became a humble disciple — washing dishes, gardening, and serving in silence.
For nearly five years, the man who once commanded the silver screen lived like a sanyasi, exchanging his designer suits for maroon robes and his stardom for simplicity.
Osho, noticing the sadness that lingered in him, once urged him to return to India and even joked that he should stand in elections against Amitabh Bachchan, the man whose fame he had once rivaled.
But destiny intervened. When the Rajneeshpuram commune fell apart amid legal troubles with the U.S. government, Vinod Khanna returned home.
The Triumphant Return
Bollywood welcomed him back with open arms. His comeback in 1987 was a grand one — mature, intense, and full of grace.
The man who had walked away in search of peace came back with a quiet strength that reflected in his performances.
He resumed his place among Hindi cinema’s greats — only this time, with the serenity of one who had truly seen life beyond fame.
A Friendship Etched in Legend: Feroz Khan and Vinod Khanna
Among the countless relationships he built in the industry, none was as iconic as his bond with Feroz Khan — his closest friend and soulmate in spirit. Their friendship was cinematic in itself — full of flamboyance, loyalty, and a touch of destiny.
Their first collaboration, Shankar Shambhu (1976), set the tone for a lifelong bond. But it was Qurbani (1980) that immortalized their friendship — a film that redefined style and masculinity in Bollywood. Interestingly, Feroz Khan had initially wanted Amitabh Bachchan for the role, but fate — and friendship — chose Vinod Khanna instead.
When Vinod left the film world to follow Osho, Feroz stood by him without judgment.
Years later, when Vinod returned, Feroz Khan was among the first to welcome him back, casting him in Dayavan (1988). In an act of pure friendship, Feroz even gave himself a minor role in the film — much to the disappointment of his fans — just to stand beside his friend on screen again.
Their bond went beyond films. Both men experienced personal heartbreaks, with divorces in the same year, 1985. And in one of life’s haunting coincidences, both passed away on April 27, years apart, united once more by fate.
The Legacy of a Man Who Lived Many Lives
Vinod Khanna’s journey remains one of Hindi cinema’s most poignant tales — of a man who tasted fame, renounced it for faith, and returned not as a fallen star, but as an enlightened soul. His story is not just about cinema; it’s about the eternal human quest for peace, purpose, and meaning.
Even today, when his songs play or his films appear on television, there’s a quiet nostalgia that fills the air — a reminder of the star who once chose silence over applause, and found his light in the shadows of self-discovery.
(By Tanveer Zaidi (Actor–Author–Educationist)
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