Vinod Khanna was a star while Mahesh Bhatt was going through his struggling days.
Those were the days when Vinod Khanna also took care of Mahesh Bhatt's expenses. The same had been confirmed by Mahesh Bhatt in an interview. His brother Mukesh Bhatt had also worked as Khanna’s secretary. Mahesh’s first hit film, Lahu Ke Do Rang had Vinod Khanna in the main lead.
Khanna was deeply affected by his mother's death when Mahesh took him to Rajneesh’s Ashram in Pune. He eventually moved to the commune in Oregon.
After Rajneeshpuram in Oregon was disbanded due to legal issues and conflicts, Khanna returned to India and was keen to make a comeback in Bollywood.
During that time Mahesh Bhatt wanted to make a film with Vinod Khanna. The film was Jurm and Mukesh Bhatt was the producer. The film got delayed as the Bhatt brothers were hesitant to pay Khanna his full fee. After the release of the film, the Bhatts called Khanna unprofessional for the delays.
The financial dispute and subsequently public comments by Mahesh Bhatt led to the bitterness. Later, when the two encountered in a studio, Khanna lost his cool and reportedly slapped Mahesh Bhatt multiple times. Some reports suggest that he slapped producer Mukesh Bhatt.
After this incident, there was a rift in their friendship and they never worked again.
Image(s) Courtesy: Google