In a candid revelation, Kavita Khanna, the second wife of late Bollywood icon Vinod Khanna, has spoken about the dynamics of her blended family. She emphasized that she never attempted to assume a maternal role for his sons from his first marriage, actors Rahul and Akshaye Khanna, out of deep respect for their biological mother.
A Relationship Built on Respect, Not Replacement
During a recent interview, Kavita Khanna reflected on her connection with Rahul and Akshaye. "They were mine because they were Vinod’s children. They had to be mine, but they were not mine," she stated, encapsulating the nuanced nature of their bond. She made a conscious choice not to step into a mother's shoes, firmly believing, "I did not try to be a mother to them because they had the best mother they could have."
The family history provides context to this relationship. Vinod Khanna married Geetanjali Khanna in 1971, and the couple welcomed two sons, Rahul and Akshaye. However, in a life-altering decision, the actor left his family in 1985 to follow spiritual guru Osho, taking 'sanyaas' or renunciation. Vinod later married Kavita in 1990, and they had two daughters, Sakshi and Shraddha.
'Very Cordial' Ties with the First Wife
Kavita Khanna also addressed her equation with Vinod's first wife, Geetanjali Khanna, dismissing any notions of drama or rivalry. "We were very cordial. There was no discord whatsoever," she clarified. She highlighted the maturity that defined their interactions, marked by mutual respect and clear boundaries.
She urged people to move beyond stereotypical narratives often seen in films and fairy tales. "We should not be conditioned by fairy tales about someone being a victim and the other one being a cruella. These are just fairy tales," Kavita remarked. "In life, when you are a sensible adult, you behave sensibly. We make the choices we make, we stick by them and life moves on."
Akshaye Khanna's Perspective on His Father's Choice
The emotional impact of Vinod Khanna's decision to leave his family has been acknowledged by his son, Akshaye Khanna, in past interviews. While promoting his recent film 'Dhurandhar', Akshaye had revisited that challenging period. He described his father's choice to take sanyaas as a "life-changing decision" that was impossible for him to grasp as a five-year-old child.
"To not only leave his family, but to take ‘sanyaas’. Sanyaas means giving up your life in totality—family is a part of it," Akshaye had shared. He expressed a understanding of the profound internal shift it must have required, stating, "Something must have moved him so deeply inside that he felt that that kind of decision was worth it for him. Especially when you have everything in life."
Kavita Khanna's reflections offer a rare glimpse into the private workings of a high-profile Bollywood family, showcasing a path of dignity, respect, and acceptance amidst complex personal histories.
