When Vinod Khanna quit films to join Osho at the height of his Bollywood career – Republic World

In the late 70s, Amitabh Bachchan was undoubtedly the biggest star in Hindi cinema. However, many believed at the time that there was only one star who posed a serious threat to Bachchan’s number one status: Vinod Khanna. Khanna, who started his career playing a villain, gradually gained success as a hero in the mid-’70s with films like; Parvarish, Khun Pasina and Amar Akbar Anthony Among other things. However, the actor shocked everyone with his decision to quit films together in 1981 to join Osho at Rajneeshpuram Ashram in America.

Khanna spent five years washing dishes and cleaning toilets.

The actor’s decision to quit the film industry was particularly shocking as Khanna had been a consistent box-office hit till then. Reportedly, the news went viral as the film producer also confirmed that Khanna has fully refunded the contract money he received for several projects.

After taking communion at Rajneeshpuram Ashram, Khanna reportedly spent five years in communion doing odd jobs like washing dishes, cleaning toilets, and gardening.

Something must have moved him so deeply, Akshaye said of her father years later.

This decision also meant that Khanna abandoned his wife and children, who were back in Bombay at the time. Just as Khanna moved to Oregon, Gitanjali too decided to end her marriage along with her son Akshaye Khanna. Years later, Akshaye Khanna spoke about how his father’s decision was accepted by his family and the impact it had on those around him. Akshay said, “As a five-year-old, it was impossible for me to understand it, but something deep down must have moved him and he felt that he deserved to make such a decision.” I felt that there was a very fundamental fault/earthquake that had to occur within me in order to make that decision and stick with it. Some people would say it doesn’t fit – let’s go back. But that didn’t happen.”

But around 1984, when the Holy Communion disbanded and collapsed, Vinod Khanna was forced to leave Bombay and return to Bombay to act in films. Although it took some time for the actor to re-establish himself in his industry, the actor made a fitting comeback statement with hit films like; insurf (1987) and Satyamev Jeite (1987). Khanna appeared regularly in films as a lead actor over the next few years.