The actor, dubbed the Indian film industry’s first superstar, passed away at his home in Mumbai on Wednesday (18Jul12) after a battle with ill health. The cause of his death was unclear as WENN went to press.
Khanna shot to fame playing romantic leads in a string of hit Bollywood movies in the 1960s and ’70s, and went on to star in more than 160 films.
He won the Filmfare Best Actor Award three times, and was honoured with the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award in 2005.
In the 1990s he moved into politics, serving as a Member of Parliament in New Delhi until 1996.
His son-in-law, actor Akshay Kumar told reporters outside Khanna’s home, “He has gone to a very nice and heavenly place. We are very happy that he (has) gone there. I hope everybody there whoever is watching him can just say a little prayer for him.”
Fellow Bollywood veteran Shabana Azmi paid tribute to her late peer, taking to Twitter.com to pay her respects, writing, “He was the SUPERSTAR like no other. Did 10 films with him. Met him last at Apsara awards. Pale shadow of himself but smile as winsome.”
