Vinod was good in dramatics, sports and studies: Schoolmate
Bollywood actor Vinod Khanna has passed away but he continues to live on in memories.
“Such actors are born once in a century. It’s hard to believe that Vinod Khanna, who was a few years senior to us in school, is no more,” said Richard White, 68, who went to Barnes School in Devlali where the Bollywood actor also studied.
White, a veteran geography teacher who retired from St Aloysius High School in Kanpur, termed Khanna’s demise as an irreparable loss to the nation.
He recalled that Vinod Khanna was a multi-talented personality who was good in dramatics, sports and studies. Though there are many instances that remind Richard White of the veteran actor, one incident on a dinner table is still fresh in his memories. In Barnes School, it was mandatory for students to take up at least one sport. And Vinod Khanna, had chosen boxing, said White. “On that day, Khanna and others were hungry after spending two to three hours in the field, gym and ring and they assembled at the dinner table,” he recalled.
“Dinner was quite simple – daal and bread. We would take our places at the table and say a prayer. A gong would be struck and we would start eating. After 15 minutes or so, the gong would be struck again and we had to stop eating, even if we were hungry,” said White. On that day, the gong had been sounded for the second time, but Vinod Khanna continued eating, even as the other boys left to wash their hands. “The warden, Mr Gupta got angry. He approached Khanna and said, ‘Haven’t you heard the gong… why are you still eating?” said White.
“Khanna took a glass and smashed it against the table. Holding the jagged end in front of Mr Gupta, he said, ‘my father is paying for my food. I will eat as much as I want,” added White.