Recently, Swami Shailendra Saraswati, the brother of the late spiritual guru Osho, shared insights into actor Vinod Khanna's time at Osho's commune in the United States, revealing a more complex narrative than the public perception of a noble spiritual retreat. Khanna, a major Bollywood star in the 1970s and early 80s, had shocked the industry by leaving his career at its peak to seek spiritual solace with Osho.
According to Swami Shailendra Saraswati, Khanna's decision was not solely driven by a spiritual quest but also by inner turmoil, including feelings of jealousy towards Amitabh Bachchan's success. In an interview with Hindi Rush, Swami Shailendra Saraswati, who lived near Khanna at Rajneeshpuram in Oregon, described the actor's emotional state during those years. He said that actors often project a perfect image on screen but carry inner chaos. Despite embracing a humble life at the commune, even working as a gardener at Osho's residence, Khanna often expressed missing his wife and children.
Osho, however, believed that something deeper troubled Khanna. When others said Khanna was sad because he missed his family, Osho disagreed. According to Swami Shailendra Saraswati, Osho felt that Khanna's real issue was his envy of Amitabh Bachchan's soaring success in Bollywood during his absence. Osho suggested that Khanna return to India and challenge Bachchan in politics.
Swami Shailendra Saraswati explained that Osho had a unique ability to see beyond the surface. He understood that Khanna's longing wasn't just about his family but also about the loss of his position as a top star. While Khanna's conscious mind tried to convince him that he was a devoted father and husband, Osho recognized a deeper truth: Khanna was envious of Bachchan, and that pain manifested in other ways.
Vinod Khanna and Amitabh Bachchan both entered the film industry in the late 1960s, during Rajesh Khanna's reign. As the 1970s progressed, the dominance of Rajesh Khanna began to fade, allowing Vinod and Amitabh to emerge as strong contenders. Bachchan's career took a significant turn in 1973 with "Zanjeer," where his portrayal of the 'Angry Young Man' resonated with audiences. Meanwhile, Vinod gained recognition for his roles as a villain in films like "Mera Gaon Mera Desh" and "Sachaa Jhuta". Although Vinod eventually became a leading actor, Amitabh surpassed him with hits like "Zanjeer" and "Namak Haram," solidifying his position at the top.
The rivalry between Bachchan and Khanna became apparent in "Zameer" (1975), where critics viewed Khanna as a serious challenger to Bachchan's leading role. Their competition intensified during "Hera Pheri" (1976). In an interview with NDTV, Vinod Khanna said that the media created the rivalry. He maintained that he and Amitabh Bachchan were friends and that fan clubs turned their relationship into a competition. They starred together in films such as "Parvarish" and "Amar Akbar Anthony".
Khanna eventually returned to India in the late 1980s and resumed his film career. He also entered politics and served as a Union Minister in Atal Bihari Vajpayee's government.
