Vinod Khanna will be remembered for his welfare to people: President

New Delhi [India], Apr 27 (ANI): President Pranab Mukherjee has condoled the passing away of veteran actor Vinod Khanna. In a message to his son Rahul Khanna, the President has said, "I am deeply saddened to learn of the demise of your father, Shri Vinod Khanna." The President said a multi-faceted personality, Khanna was an iconic film actor, Parliamentarian, Minister of State for External Affairs and Union Minister for Culture and Tourism. "In his passing, the Indian film industry has lost a highly talented and acclaimed doyen, known for his powerful and versatile acting. He shall be remembered also for his contribution to the welfare of the people whom he served with commitment and sincerity in his various capacities in the Government of India," he added. "Please accept my heartfelt condolences and convey the same to the members of your family. May you all have the strength to bear this irreparable loss with courage and fortitude," the President further said. The last rites of Khanna, who passed away at the age of 70 due to cancer, were performed at Worli crematorium in Mumbai. Entire film fraternity was present, including Rishi Kapoor, Neetu Singh, Ramesh Sippy and Abhishek Bachchan. The 'Mere Apne' star was admitted to the Sir HN Reliance Foundation Hospital on March 31 with complications arising out of severe dehydration. Bollywood's heartthrob, best known for his roles in the films such as 'Amar Akbar Anthony,' 'Qurbaani' and 'Insaaf' - died of cancer at a hospital here on Thrusday morning. He was born on October 6, 1946 and was seen in 141 films as one of the most prominent and celebrated stars of Bollywood. In 1982, at the peak of his career, the actor briefly quit the industry to follow spiritual Guru Osho Rajneesh. Khanna joined politics in the year 1997 and also became the union minister of external affairs in the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government. Khanna was also a sitting BJP MP from Punjab's Gurdaspur district. His sons Akshay and Rahul also had prominent Bollywood careers and his youngest son, Sakshi Khanna is on the brink of his Bollywood debut. (ANI)