Vinod Mehra born on 13th February 1945, at Lahore Pakistan, was an Indian actor, producer and director.
Vinod Mehra started his acting career as a child artist in the 50s and 60s. Mehra made his debut as a child artist in the 1958 film Raagni, playing the younger version of the character played by Kishore Kumar+. After playing a few more minor roles as a child, he started his film career as an adult in 1971 with ''Ek Thi Rita'', a smash hit based on the English play, 'A Girl Called Rita', along with Tanuja. He was one of finalists in the 1965 All India Talent Contest organised by United Producers and Filmfare from more than ten thousand contestants. He lost the contest to Rajesh Khanna and became male runner up of the contest. He made his debut as a leading hero in the hit film- Ek Thi Reeta with Tanuja in the year 1975. He has acted in more than 100 films playing roles of hero, brother, father, friend, and lover. He was a fairly successful hero at the box office. He teamed up with leading stars such as Amitabh bachchan, Dharmendra and other super stars in many films and was known as a gentleman actor.
His first film as an adult was Ek Thi Rita (1971) which was a hit. This was followed by the film ''Parday Ke Peechhay'' opposite debutant Yogeeta Bali followed by ''Elaan+'' (with Rekha), ''Amar Prem'' (1972) and ''Lal Patthar'', though it was only Shakti Samanta's ''Anuraag'' (1972) with Maushmi Chatterjee, which established him as an actor. He went on to appear in over 100 films in his career spanning over two decades. He played the lead role in some of his earlier films but often acted in many multi-starrers as the secondary lead or played supporting roles such as a brother, friend, uncle, father and police officer. He worked with many actors like Amitabh Bachchan, Sanjeev Kumar, Rajesh Khanna, Sunil Dutt and Dharmendra. His frequent female co-stars included Rekha, Maushmi Chatterjee, Yogeeta Bali, Shabana Azmi and Bindiya Goswami.
Some of his prominent films were ''Nagin'', ''Jaani Dushman'', ''Ghar'', ''Swarg Narak'', ''Kartavya'', ''Saajan Bina Suhagan'', ''Jurmana'', ''Ek Hi Raasta'', ''Ye Kaisa Insaaf'' ''Sweekar Kiya Maine'' and ''Khud-Daar''. He received Filmfare Nominations as Best Supporting Actor for ''Anurodh'' (1977), ''Amar Deep'' (1979), and ''Bemisal'' (1982). He also played the leading role in a Punjabi film ''Maujaan Dubai Diyaan'' in 1985.
He turned producer and director with the film ''Gurudev'' in the late 1980s, with Sridevi, Rishi Kapoor and Anil Kapoor in the lead but the film was incomplete at the time of his death. Many of his delayed films were released after his death and dedicated to his memory such as ''Patthar Ke Phool+'' (1991 film), ''Insaniyat+'' (1994) and ''Aurat Aurat Aurat'' (1996). It was completed by director Raj Sippy and released 3 years after his death. Many of his delayed films were released after his death and dedicated to his memory such as Patthar Ke Phool (1991 film), Insaniyat (1994) and Aurat Aurat Aurat (1996).
Vinod Mehra was married to Meena Broca but the marriage broke and he later tied the knot with Bindiya Goswami. However this marriage too hit the rock and once more he was divorced. He took the plunge once more when cupid struck and he married Kiran who remained his legal wife till the time of his death. There were also speculations that he was married to the stunning diva Rekha.
He acted in some hits like- Lal Patthar, Amar Prem, Ghar, Kunwara Baap, Sabse Bada Rupaiya, Anurodh, Pyar Ki Jeet, Arjun Pandit, Ginny Aur Johnny, Zindagi, Insaniyat, and many other films. Vinod Mehra was a man of great poise and charm. A inherently introvert, he was known to be a man of few words. However his charm and acting acumen was truly appreciated.He died of a massive heart attack at the young age of 45, on 30th October, 1990 at Mumbai.