Mahesh Bhatt recalls Vinod Khanna's fragile state after return from Rajneesh Ashram: 'He was too far gone'

Mahesh Bhatt recalled Vinod Khanna’s fragile state after his spiritual journey at Osho Rajneesh’s ashram. Following the death of his mother, Vinod sought refuge at the Pune ashram with Bhatt’s support but remained deeply immersed, eventually moving to the Rajneeshpuram commune in Oregon. Bhatt described Vinod as “too far gone” spiritually, noting how the actor returned changed-withdrawn, quiet, and struggling to reconnect with the film industry.






Reflecting on Vinod Khanna’s Legacy Eight Years Later






When reflecting on the eight years since Vinod's passing, as reported in Indian Express, Bhatt expressed how deeply he still feels his presence. He described hearing Vinod’s memory like the sea inside a shell-not because it speaks, but because his own memories are intertwined and stirred whenever Vinod’s name is mentioned. Bhatt compared Vinod’s death to stars quietly disappearing at sunrise, an inevitable and unapologetic fading, as if even the light had grown tired of pretending. He fondly recalled their time filming 'Lahu Ke Do Rang' in Hong Kong, moments that continue to nourish him. Recently, a young woman from Darjeeling who works as his domestic help mentioned she was just a little girl when they shot the Bappi Lahiri-composed song “Pyaar Pyaar Pyaar” there, instantly transporting Bhatt back to those enchanting and golden days.






The Path to Rajneesh Ashram and Aftermath






Bhatt explained that life eventually led them down unexpected paths. After Vinod was deeply affected by his mother’s death, he began searching for answers. Bhatt, feeling broken by his own setbacks, took Vinod to Bhagwan Rajneesh’s ashram in Pune. They would travel from shoots in Vinod’s Mercedes and stay at the Blue Diamond hotel, seeking solace in the ashram’s mystical atmosphere. While Bhatt eventually left, Vinod remained and later moved to Oregon. Bhatt even flew to America once in an effort to bring him back, but found that Vinod was too far gone. When the Rajneesh movement collapsed, Vinod returned to India, broken. Bhatt met him again in a small flat opposite Jaslok Hospital.