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Actor who exceeded stardom and won hearts

Film industry, friends, neighbours and fans come out in large numbers to pay a rich tribute to the Dayavan star, who passed away at the age of 70

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Hundreds gathered for the actor’s funeral at the Worli crematorium. Among those who came to pay their last respects were Amitabh Bachchan and son Abhishek (Right), Jackie Shroff, Randhir Kapoor, Danny Denzongpa, Kabir Bedi, and director Subhash Ghai among others.
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Veteran Bollywood actor and Lok Sabha MP from Gurdaspur, Vinod Khanna, who was being treated for advanced bladder carcinoma, passed away on Thursday. The 70-year-old actor is survived by his four children and wife. Khanna was admitted to Sir HN Reliance Foundation Hospital in Girgaum on March 21 and breathed his last at 11.20 am on Thursday, according to the hospital.

As news of the actor's death spread, people from the film fraternity and family and friends gathered at his Malabar Hill residence to pay their last respects. A large number of fans were also seen outside the residence.

Ganesh Solanki, a gardener at Kamala Nehru Park, was one of the many who had come to get a last glimpse of one of his favourite actors outside his Malabar Hill residence. "Once in a while, he used to come to the park for a walk. Today, I am here to

catch a glimpse of him. I have mostly seen all his movies, right from Dayavan, Burning Train to Mere Apne."

Members of the society where his family lived had fond memories of the "warm-hearted" person. Vivek Talwar, chairperson of the society said, "He was one of the nicest persons I have known. Very down to earth and helpful.

As an MP we could approach him anytime. I once had an issue with my passport and within minutes he helped me out. Another friend of mine had lost his passport and Mr Khanna came to our rescue. They are a wonderful family."

Khanna's body was first brought to his residence from the hospital, and was then taken to the Worli crematorium where he was cremated. While all his family members carried out the last rites, his second wife's son, Sakshi, lit the funeral pyre.

Among the prominent people from the film fraternity who were present for the funeral were Amitabh Bachchan and Rishi Kapoor who had worked with him in Amar Akbar Anthony, lyricist Gulzar, actors Abhishek Bachchan, Jackie Shroff, Ranjeet, Randhir Kapoor, Danny Denzongpa, Kabir Bedi, and director Subhash Ghai among others.

From the political circle, former chief minister of Uttarakhand BC Khanduri, former union minister Praful Patel and BJP MLA Mangal Prabhat Lodha were also present to give their condolences.

Known for his popular films like Mere Apne, Muqaddar Ka Sikandar, Amar Akbar Anthony, Qurbani, Kudrat and Dayavan, the actor had surpassed stardom, echoed the film fraternity.

"He was as beautiful in life as he was in his looks. He was very loving, down to earth and had surpassed stardom. We became closer when Akshaye was launched in one of my movies. He would often say that Jeevan ek utsav hai, manana hai, jaana hai (life is a festival, we have to celebrate it and go)," said Subhash Ghai, film director who was close to the actor and was present at the funeral at the Worli crematorium. The actor was cremated in the presence of all his children.

"I have known him for past 35 years. I am a friend of his brother. He was simply an amazing person, always full of life, and it is sad to see him go," said Rakesh Khanna, a family friend.

Also present were those who had known him through his sons. "Ever since his son and my son became friends, we were very close friends. He was always an approachable person and it was easy to reach out to him. There was extreme warmth in him and his wife kept the same demanour," said socialite Chhaya Momaya, who attended the funeral as well.

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