Vinod Khanna was a renowned actor and a respected politician. In the 1980s, he made headlines by stepping away from acting to join the Osho Ashram but later made a successful return to Bollywood. He also stood out in politics, winning four Lok Sabha elections, a unique achievement for a Bollywood star.
Recently, writer-director-actor Ananth Mahadevan shared a memorable story about his connection with Vinod Khanna during a conversation with Siddharth Kannan. He recalled advising Khanna to run for the position of Prime Minister of India, impressed by his political success. However, the actor declined the suggestion.
Ananth shared a conversation he had with Khanna, where he suggested that he should run for Prime Minister, playfully adding that the country could use a good-looking leader. However, Khanna responded by explaining that politics is much more complex and challenging than it appears. He mentioned that while serving as an MP in Punjab was manageable, aiming for a higher position like Prime Minister wasn’t as simple as it seemed.
Ananth also fondly remembered his close relationship with Vinod Khanna, sharing that even up until Khanna’s passing, he would send him humorous emails filled with jokes and anecdotes. They stayed in touch for many years, maintaining a strong bond throughout.
Ananth Mahadevan described Vinod Khanna as neither carefree nor a complete introvert. He shared that if you spoke to him, he would open up and engage in conversations about many things. Ananth also recalled a vivid image of Khanna standing alone at Film City, reflecting on his life’s experiences, which led him to work with someone like Ananth.
