Indian movie actor Vinod Khanna was the `thinking` angry young man of the 70`s. The actor was born on 6th October 1946 in Peshawar in a business family. Partition forced the Khanna family to move to India. As a child Vinod Khanna had the opportunity to study in some of the best schools of his times. Later, while he was pursuing his commerce studies at a college in Mumbai, the legendary Sunil Dutt offered him a role in his forthcoming `Man Ka Meet`. His father became angry upon his decision of working in films and consequently threatened to throw him out of the house, if he dared to enter the tinsel town. But destiny willed otherwise and he went to act in the film. The film was a success and his family too reconciled with the choice of his profession. After that he became an actor, film producer and also a politician. He and Amitabh Bachchan, who was also popular with the name `angry young man` were the two giants of Bollywood cinema. They acted together in a string of hit films battling the frustrations of the era. Their film pairing culminated in the Hindi film classic, `Muqaddar Ka Sikandar` in the year 1979. In that film Vinod portrayed a karate kick-throwing lawyer of consciences who fulfills the dreams and hopes that the Amitabh character is unable to achieve. It was one of his finest performances as well.

Incredibly at the height of his acting career Khanna retired from films and became a monk. He turned his back on Bollywood to follow a spiritual path and lived in an ashram commune in Oregon for over 5 years. As a follower of the guru Osho he worshipped and worked as a common member of the community. From the period 1982 to 1986 Vinod was absent from the film world which can be mentioned a gap in his film career. Vinod again came in films in 1987 to the open arms of the industry and is still acting as well as producing to this day. His son Akshaye is also a top Bollywood film star. After `Man ke Meet` the actor acted in multi-starrer films often playing supporting and negative roles in hit films such as `Purab Aur Paschim` in the year 1970, `Sachaa Jhutta`in the year 1970 and `Mera Gaon Mera Desh` in the year 1971. His big break was in the 1971 film `Mere Apne` directed by Gulzar. His sensitive performance as an army officer facing death row in the film `Achanak` was critically acclaimed. This one also scripted and directed by Gulzar in the year 1973. The songless film echoed the true life story of K. M. Nanavati vs. State of Maharashtra and Khanna portrayed Kawas Nanavati, the real life of a Navy officer. Some of his other popular films throughout the mid 1970s and early 1980s, including `Parvarish`, `Amar Akbar Anthony`, `Khoon Pasina`, `Muqaddar Ka Sikander`, `The Burning Train` and `Qurbani`. After all these success he left the industry in 1979 for eight years. At this time, he was the most successful actor in the Bollywood, competing with Amitabh Bachchan.

He rejoined the industry, eight years later in mid 1980s. He continued to appear in many notable films from the mid 1980s to the 1990s such as `Dayavan`, `Chandni`, `Kshatriya`, `Eeena Meena Deeka` and `Ekka Raja Rani`. In 1997 he introduced his son Akshaye in the film `Himalay Putra` which he produced and also starred in. In present days he has acted in fewer films playing character roles. His most recent films were `Deewaanapan` in the year 2002 where he acted with new generation stars Arjun Rampal and Diya Mirza. The other film where Vinod Khanna acted is Risk in the year 2007. He is currently acting as the lead in the Hindi serial Mere Apne produced by Smriti Irani which airs on the new channel 9x. He is playing the role of the male lead Kashi Nath and is paired with producer Smriti Irani who are also acting as the female lead in the serial.

Indian movie actor Vinod Khanna also has a strong political side in his career. In 1997, he joined the Bharatiya Janata Party and was nominated from Gurdaspur, East Punjab in the next year`s Lok Sabha poll. Six months later he was moved to the more important ministry of external affairs (MEA) as minister of state. In 2004 he won re-election from Gurdaspur. He was the highest taxpayer in Mumbai in 1990-91. Presently, he continues to participate in the film business based in Dubai. His sons Akshay Khanna and Rahul Khanna are Hindi film actors.

Indian movie actor Vinod Khanna has awarded many a times in his career which includes Filmfare Best Supporting Actor Award for `Haath Ki Safai` in the year 1974. He was nominated for filmfare Best Supporting Actor for `Hera Pheri` in the year 1976. In 1977 he got Filmfare Nomination as Best Actor for `Shaque`. In the year 1978 he was nominated for filmfare Best Supporting Actor for `Muqaddar Ka Sikander`. In 1980 he got filmfare nomination as best actor for `Qurbani`. He got filmfare lifetime achievement Award in the year 1999. In 2007 he was awarded Zee Cine award for lifetime achievement.