MUMBAI: Vinod Khanna was one of the most charismatic and handsome stars Bollywood ever had. The legendary actor was born in a Punjabi family to Krishanchand and Kamla Khanna in Peshawar (now in Pakistan) on October 6, 1946. Khanna began his career playing supporting roles, and then he made his debut as a villain and eventually became a lead actor. His career spanned over five decades. Vinod was so charming that girls used to get swooned by his looks. Later, in order to embrace spirituality he gave up his fame, however, he returned home after five long years. He also joined Bharatiya Janata Party and got elected twice from Gurdaspur constituency in Punjab. During his last days, the 70-year-old actor-turned-politician was battling cancer and he breathed his last in April 2017. 

During the initial phase of his career, Vinod played supporting roles in films like Aan Milo Sajna, Purab Aur Paschim and Mastana. Later on, he was a part of a few multi-starrers like The Burning Train, Amar Akbar Anthony and more.  Eventually, Vinod got featured as a lead actor in hit films like Chandni, Lekin, Achanak, Inkaar and more. Even in recent films like Dabang, Dilwale, Ek Thi Rani Aisi Bhi and others, he played the patriarch, the supporting actor. 

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On Vinod Khanna’s birth anniversary, here are seven best films of the late actor one must watch: 

Mera Gaon Mera Desh (1971)

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In this Raj Khosla film, Vinod Khanna played the role of a dacoit named Jabbar Singh. However, the lead actor of the film was Dharmendra, bu it was Vinod’s performance as a dacoit that stole the show.

Achanak (1973)

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Achanak was one of the first few films that had Khanna as a lead actor. The film was Gulzar’s directorial and it was based on the in popular Nanavati Scandal case of 1953.  Vinod Khanna had played the role of an army officer who kills his wife and her lover in a fit of rage and later, surrenders himself to the police.

Inkaar (1978)

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The film was directed by Raj N. Sippy and it was a remake of a popular Japanese movie titled High and Low which was released in 1963 and was directed by Akira Kurosawa. In this crime thriller, Vinod played a police inspector, the film also featured Shreeram Lagoo in a pivotal role.

Mere Apne(1971)

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This film was a remake of Bengali film Apanjan and it was also Gulzar’s first directorial venture. The movie had Vinod Khanna and Shatrughan Sinha in lead roles while Meena Kumari played the role of an aged woman.

Lekin (1990)

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In this Gulzar’s film,  Khanna played the character of a government officer named Sameer Niyogi who meets a beautiful girl called Reva (Dimple Kapadia) while being on duty and he deeply falls in love with her. Both Khanna and Kapadia’s performances were loved by the critics.

Satyamev Jayate( 1987)

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In this film, Vinod played the role of a brave cop named Arjun Singh. The film also featured Meenakshi Sheshadri opposite Khanna. It was his comeback film post the Osho phase. The film was helmed by Raj N. Sippy.

Amar Akbar Anthony (1977)

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This Manmohan Desai film was an excellent story of three brothers- Amitabh Bachchan, Vinod Khanna and Rishi Kapoor who get separated at a young age and later, each one of them gets adopted by three different families of a different faith. This is one of the most iconic films that Bollywood has ever made.

SOURCE – PINKVILLA  

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