Late actor Vinod Khanna wished to visit his ancestral home in Peshawar, reveals Pakistani official

A few days back, veteran actor Vinod Khanna succumbed to cancer, after days of illness. He not only left a deep void that will not be filled anytime soon, but also died with an unfulfilled wish himself.

For those uninitiated, Khanna was born in British Peshawar which now comes under Pakistan. In 2014 when he met a team of Pakistani delegates during a cultural programme, he expressed his desire to visit the city of his birth and see where his parents lived.

“Khanna wanted to visit Peshawar to see the area where his parents and forefathers lived. He had sent a request for his visit to Pakistan, but could not succeed,” Shakeel Waheedullah, General Secretary  of Cultural Heritage Council, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, told TOI. Waheedullah had met Khanna during the same delegation. (Also Read: Vinod Khanna-starrer ‘Amar Akbar Anthony’ has inspired a Harvard University book)

“During our meeting with Khanna, he was very happy over his reunion with the people of his birth place Peshawar,” he added.

Khanna was presented with a dress and a pair of traditional Peshawari chappals (sandals) by his Pakistani friends and was glad to receive them. He was also happy to know that his ancestral home was intact and was being used by All Pakistan Women’s Asssociation for many constructive activities.

Ranjini Maitra

Journalist. Writer. Reader. Enthu cutlet. Mood-swing machine. Day dreamer. Sandwiched between ‘live life fully’ and ‘lose some weight’. Mantra of life: Love and love more.