Veteran actor Vinod Khanna passes away at 70 after prolonged illness

PC: Instagram

NEW DELHI: Veteran actor Vinod Khanna passed away at the age of 70 due to advanced bladder carcinoma. The actor was undergoing treatment in HN Reliance Foundation and Research Centre in Girgaon, Mumbai and breathed his last at 11.20 am. Vinod Khanna was sitting MP from Gurdaspur. The actor was hospitalised after suffering from severe dehydration. Earlier, a picture of the actor went viral  looking extremely pale and in bad health and this has triggered rumour of him battling bladder cancer. Later his family confirmed that he is doing better and is gradually recovering. His son, Rahul Khanna earlier said, "Dad was hospitalised on Friday for severe dehydration. The situation was quickly brought under control, he's doing much better and the doctors are looking to discharge him soon." PC: Instagram "Our family is most grateful for the extraordinary care he's been receiving at the hospital and we are touched by all the good wishes pouring in," he added. WATCH: I don't believe it even now, he was very close to me; says Dharmendra on Vinod Khanna's demise Vinod Khanna began his acting career with 'Man Ka Meet' Khanna has worked in popular movies like Mere Apne, Kuchhe Dhaage,  Gaddaar, Jail Yatra, Imitihaan, Amar Akbar Anthony, Mera Gaon Mera Desh, Inkaar, etc. Born on October 6, 1946 in a Punjabi family to Kamla and Kishanchand Khanna in Peshawar, Vinod studied commerce at Mumbai's Sydenham College before moving into acting. Khanna was married to Geetanjali between 1971 and 1985 and has two sons with her, Rahul Khanna and Akshaye Khanna. He married Kavita with whom he has two children, Sakshi and Shraddha. Vinod Khanna appeared in 141 films between 1968 and 2013 and also forayed into politics by joining the BJP. He was Minister of State for Tourism and Culture in 2002. PC: Instagram He made his debut as a villain in Sunil Dutt's 1968 film 'Man Ka Meet', but later started playing lead roles. The film, which was made to launch Sunil Dutt's brother Som, helped make Vinod the cynosure of all eyes. Within weeks of the release of the film, more than a dozen producers lined up outside his house to sign him. The actor also received a Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award in 1999 for his contribution to the film industry for over three decades. His last film 'Ek Thi Rani Aisi Bhi' released on 21 April, 2017 is a biopic on Rajmata of Gwalior, Vijaya Raje Scindia. Directed by Gul Bahar Singh, the movie also had veteran actress and MP Hema Malini. (With inputs from ANI)