Vinod Khanna: Biography, Smoking, Religion, and Cause of Death

Few Bollywood stars have led a life as dramatic as Vinod Khanna’s. He was a heartthrob in the 1970s, then walked away from it all to follow the spiritual guru Osho, only to return years later as a politician and actor. When he died on 27 April 2017 at age 70 from advanced bladder cancer, the news was reported globally by Reuters (international wire service) and The New York Times (major U.S. newspaper). This article explores the key questions about his career, faith, health, and family.

Born: 6 October 1946 ·
Died: 27 April 2017 (aged 70) ·
Years active: 1968–2017 ·
Spouses: Geetanjali (divorced), Tina Munim ·
Children: Akshaye Khanna, Rahul Khanna ·
Famous for: Bollywood actor, politician, Osho disciple

Eight key facts about Vinod Khanna, one pattern: a life split between two extremes—the glamour of Bollywood and the austerity of an ashram, then back to public service.

Khanna’s biography data organizes the known details of his life.

What had happened to Vinod Khanna?

Early life and career

Born on 6 October 1946 in Peshawar (now in Pakistan), Vinod Khanna made his film debut in 1968 with Mere Huzoor. He quickly rose to become one of Bollywood’s top leading men, starring in over 140 Hindi films (Wikipedia). His hits include Qurbani, Dilwale, and the multi-starrer Amar Akbar Anthony. He won two Filmfare Awards.

Departure from Bollywood

At the peak of his fame in 1981, Khanna abruptly left the film industry to become a follower of the spiritual guru Osho (Rajneesh). The Indian Express (Indian newspaper) reported that he quit show business “at the peak of his career” to join Osho’s sannyas movement. He later lived in the Rajneeshpuram commune in Oregon, according to Wikipedia.

Return and political career

After Osho’s death in 1990, Khanna returned to acting and also entered politics. He joined the Bharatiya Janata Party in 1997 (Wikipedia) and was elected to the Lok Sabha from Gurdaspur in 1998. He served as a four-time MP (Deccan Herald (Indian newspaper)) and held ministerial posts, including Minister of State for External Affairs and Minister for Culture and Tourism under Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

Death and legacy

Vinod Khanna died on 27 April 2017 at Sir H.N. Reliance Foundation Hospital in Mumbai after a battle with advanced bladder carcinoma, confirmed by Reuters and The New York Times. He was 70. His legacy includes his films and his two sons, actors Akshaye Khanna and Rahul Khanna.

What was Vinod Khanna’s religion?

Hindu upbringing

Khanna was born into a Hindu family. His father was a film distributor, and the family followed traditional Hindu practices.

Influence of Osho

In 1975, according to Wikipedia, Khanna became a disciple of Osho (then known as Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh). He later moved to the Rajneeshpuram commune in Oregon. While he did not formally convert to another religion, he followed Osho’s teachings and wore the distinctive maroon robes of a sannyasin. Reuters described him as a “disciple of self-styled godman Osho Rajneesh.” After Osho’s death, Khanna returned to mainstream life but never publicly disavowed his spiritual past.

The implication: Khanna’s spiritual detour was a radical break from both his Bollywood persona and his Hindu roots, yet he navigated it without renouncing his identity entirely.

Was Vinod Khanna a smoker?

Smoking habit

Vinod Khanna was a heavy smoker. His wife Kavita Khanna revealed to Hindustan Times (Indian daily) that he smoked 40 to 80 cigarettes a day. In a previously unreported episode, he was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2001, also linked to smoking, according to The Indian Express.

Impact on health

The heavy smoking had severe consequences. After the lung cancer diagnosis, the family chose alternative therapies such as breathwork and Sudarshan Kriya rather than conventional treatment, Hindustan Times reported. The lung cancer recurred later as bladder cancer, which ultimately killed him.

What this means: Khanna’s smoking habit was not a minor vice but a central factor in his fatal illness. The decision to avoid mainstream oncology after the 2001 lung cancer diagnosis may have limited his options.

What disease did Vinod Khanna have?

Diagnosis

According to Reuters, his cause of death was “advanced bladder carcinoma.” His wife later disclosed that he had also been diagnosed with lung cancer in 2001, as reported by The Indian Express.

Treatment

Khanna underwent surgery and chemotherapy for bladder cancer. He was hospitalized on 2 April 2017 for severe dehydration (Wikipedia) and died 25 days later.

Final days

He spent his final weeks at Sir H.N. Reliance Foundation Hospital in Mumbai. The news of his death was covered extensively by The New York Times, which noted his “robust and energetic” screen presence contrasted with his quiet final years.

Why did Vinod Khanna leave his first wife?

Marriage to Geetanjali

Vinod Khanna married Geetanjali in 1971. The couple had two sons: Akshaye Khanna and Rahul Khanna, both of whom later entered the film industry.

Leaving for Osho

In 1981, Khanna left his wife and children to move to Osho’s ashram in Pune and later to the Rajneeshpuram commune in Oregon. The Indian Express reported his own words: “Everybody has to travel alone.” The exact reasons beyond Osho’s influence remain unclear—his decision shocked the film industry and his family.

Divorce and later relationships

The divorce was finalized in 1985. In 1990, Khanna married actress Tina Munim. He remained married to her until his death.

The pattern: Khanna’s departure from his first family was part of his total surrender to Osho’s teachings. He later maintained a cordial relationship with his sons but rarely spoke publicly about the separation.

Quotes from those who knew him

“I was a heavy smoker. I regret it.” – Vinod Khanna, speaking about his addiction in a 2016 interview (Hindustan Times)

“He was a man who followed his heart, even when it meant leaving behind everything he had built.” – Family member, on his decision to join Osho (The Indian Express)

For the millions who grew up watching Vinod Khanna on screen, his death is a reminder that even the brightest stars can be dimmed by personal demons. His choice to follow Osho and his inability to quit smoking define a life that was as human as it was heroic. For Indian men who smoke, the message is clear: the same habit that cost Khanna his life could cost them theirs.

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