Vinod Khanna turns 80: Jackie Shroff leads heartfelt tributes on birth anniversary
Synopsis
On what would have been his 80th birthday, Vinod Khanna — the Bollywood star who stunned the industry by walking away at his peak to follow Osho Rajneesh — was remembered by close friend Jackie Shroff with a moving picture montage set to Kishore Kumar's 'Muskurata Hua...'. A reminder that few screen presences from that golden era matched his combination of intensity and charisma.
Key Takeaways
Jackie Shroff shared a picture montage tribute for Vinod Khanna on his 80th birth anniversary on 6 October 2026 .
Shroff used Kishore Kumar's song 'Muskurata Hua...' as the background score for the montage.
Vinod Khanna was born on 6 October 1946 in Peshawar and debuted in Hindi cinema in 1968 .
He famously walked away from Bollywood in 1982 to follow spiritual guru Osho Rajneesh , before returning to the industry.
Khanna passed away on 27 April 2017 in Mumbai at the age of 70 , reportedly due to advanced bladder carcinoma.
His son Akshaye Khanna is currently one of Hindi cinema's most acclaimed actors, recently seen in 'Chhaava' and 'Dhurandhar' .
Bollywood actor Jackie Shroff paid a moving tribute to his close friend and legendary Hindi cinema star Vinod Khanna on what would have been the late actor's 80th birth anniversary on 6 October 2026. Shroff shared a heartfelt picture montage on his social media account, keeping alive the memory of one of the most celebrated figures of Indian cinema.
The Tribute
The montage curated by Jackie Shroff features a collection of throwback photographs of Vinod Khanna spanning different phases of his remarkable career, including some of his most iconic looks from his younger days. Accompanying the images, Shroff wrote: 'Fondly remembering Vinod Khanna ji on his birth anniversary! Always in our hearts.'
Adding an emotional layer to the tribute, Shroff used the classic Kishore Kumar song 'Muskurata Hua...' as the background score — a fitting musical choice for a man whose charisma lit up the silver screen for decades.
A Career That Defined an Era
Vinod Khanna was born on 6 October 1946 in Peshawar. He made his acting debut in 1968 with Sunil Dutt's 'Mann Ka Meet', appearing in a negative role. His breakthrough came with Gulzar's 'Mere Apne' in 1971, where his portrayal of Shyam first demonstrated his dramatic range.
He went on to establish himself as one of Hindi cinema's dominant leading men through films including 'Mera Gaon Mera Desh', 'Imtihaan', 'Inkaar', 'Amar Akbar Anthony', 'Muqaddar Ka Sikandar', 'Qurbani', 'Dayavaan', and 'Jurm'. His on-screen chemistry with Amitabh Bachchan produced a string of memorable collaborations — among them 'Hera Pheri', 'Khoon Pasina', and 'Amar Akbar Anthony' — cementing his place at the very top of the industry.
The Spiritual Detour and Political Career
At the peak of his stardom in 1982, Vinod Khanna made a decision that stunned Bollywood: he walked away from films to follow spiritual guru Osho Rajneesh. The move was widely discussed and remains one of Hindi cinema's most remarkable personal stories. He eventually returned to the industry and continued to work successfully across decades.
Beyond cinema, Khanna also built a significant career in politics, representing his constituents as a Member of Parliament. He passed away on 27 April 2017 in Mumbai at the age of 70, reportedly due to advanced bladder carcinoma.
Family and Legacy
Vinod Khanna is survived by his wife Kavita Khanna and four children — sons Rahul Khanna, Akshaye Khanna, and Sakshi Khanna, and daughter Shraddha Khanna. He was previously married to Geetanjali, with whom he had Rahul and Akshaye.
His son Akshaye Khanna has gone on to earn wide recognition as one of Hindi cinema's most respected actors, with recent performances in 'Chhaava' and 'Dhurandhar' bringing him renewed public attention. As tributes pour in on his 80th birth anniversary, Vinod Khanna's legacy endures — both through the timeless films he left behind and through the family name that continues to resonate on screen.
Point of View
Then came back. The annual anniversary tributes reflect genuine affection from an industry that still finds that choice fascinating. Yet coverage typically dwells on nostalgia without sufficiently examining what his career reveals about the 1970s blockbuster formula — the fact that he could hold his own opposite Amitabh Bachchan, arguably the era's defining presence, says more about his talent than any single film. The Khanna legacy now has a second chapter in Akshaye, whose recent work suggests the family's relationship with Hindi cinema is far from over.
NationPress
6 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Vinod Khanna born and when did he pass away?
Vinod Khanna was born on 6 October 1946 in Peshawar and passed away on 27 April 2017 in Mumbai at the age of 70, reportedly due to advanced bladder carcinoma.
Why did Vinod Khanna leave Bollywood in 1982?
At the height of his career in 1982, Vinod Khanna stepped away from Hindi cinema to follow his spiritual guru Osho Rajneesh. He later returned to the industry and continued to work in films successfully.
What were Vinod Khanna's most notable films?
Vinod Khanna is celebrated for films including 'Mere Apne' (1971), 'Amar Akbar Anthony', 'Muqaddar Ka Sikandar', 'Qurbani', 'Hera Pheri', 'Khoon Pasina', 'Dayavaan', and 'Jurm'. Several of his most iconic films were collaborations with Amitabh Bachchan.
Who is Vinod Khanna's family?
Vinod Khanna is survived by his wife Kavita Khanna and four children — Rahul Khanna, Akshaye Khanna, Sakshi Khanna, and Shraddha Khanna. He was previously married to Geetanjali, with whom he had Rahul and Akshaye.
How did Jackie Shroff pay tribute to Vinod Khanna on his 80th birth anniversary?
Jackie Shroff shared a heartfelt picture montage on his social media account featuring throwback photographs of Vinod Khanna across different phases of his career. He used Kishore Kumar's 'Muskurata Hua...' as the background score and wrote: 'Fondly remembering Vinod Khanna ji on his birth anniversary! Always in our hearts.'
