When Vinod Khanna opened up about joining Osho at the peak of his career
Mumbai, July 5
As the late actor Vinod Khanna appeared on the popular show 'Rendezvous with Simi Garewal', he opened up about joining Osho at the peak of his cinematic career.
Host Simi Garewal asked Vinod Khanna, "In June 1978, when you were at the peak of stardom, you had a family of your own. At a press conference at Natraj Studios, you announced your decision to quit and join OSHO. What made you do that?"
He shared that his mind was on overdrive and he was not in total control of his emotions anymore, hence he decided to dive deeper into meditation, and to live at the feet of his Guru was the only option.
Vinod Khanna was heard saying, "My own mind was thinking too much. My mind was, you know, very hyper. My thoughts were all over the place. I was very angry. I think I'd reached a saturation point. You know, people can press your buttons and make you react. You know, your emotions, anger, everything, everything is not under your control. You know, but yet I used to be able to see that, yes, when I meditate, these things don't affect me at all. You become the master of your own mind. And these were the things that drove me to say that, "Okay, I've had enough of films, I've given enough of time, I've made enough money, and I felt that now, if I really want to go deeper into meditation, I need to give my full time to it". You know, I have to live in an ashram, I have to live at the feet of my guru. So, obviously, you know, there was a need within me."
When asked if he considered it an abnegation of duties towards his family, he replied that he was very much in touch with his family.
"It's not that I've run away. I was in touch with my family. I was providing everything," he added.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Interesting perspective. I admire his honesty about struggling with anger and overthinking. It's rare for celebrities to admit such vulnerability. But leaving his family at their peak need was hard to justify, even if financially supported.
Osho was controversial, no doubt. But Vinod sahab's sincerity shines through. He didn't abandon his family, just took a spiritual sabbatical. India has always respected the rishi tradition. Maybe he was ahead of his time. 🙏
I'm from the US and find this fascinating. In Hollywood, someone quitting at the peak for a guru would be scandalous. But Vinod Khanna's explanation is so rational - he needed peace from his own mind. West could learn from this.
Respect for his choice but Osho's ashram was not exactly a peaceful meditation center - it was controversial with all those luxury cars and scandals. Couldn't he find an authentic guru instead? Still, Vinod Khanna's acting was phenomenal.
He was so real in that interview. When he said "I had reached a saturation point" - that's what happens when you chase success endlessly. Bollywood ke bahar bhi zindagi hai. His comeback was equally graceful. Full marks for courage! 🌟
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