Zeenat Aman
Encyclopedia
Zeenat Aman (born 19 November 1951) is an India
n actress who has appeared in Hindi
films, notably in the 1970s and 1980s. She was the second runner up in the Miss India
Contest and went on to win the Miss Asia Pacific in 1970. Upon making her debut in Bollywood, Aman was credited with making a lasting impact on the image of its leading actresses by bringing the western heroine look to Hindi cinema, and throughout her career has been considered a sex symbol
.
father, Amanullah Khan and a Hindu mother, Scinda. Her father was a script writer who was one of the writers for such movies as Mughal-e-Azam
and Pakeezah
. He died when Zeenat was 13. Her mother re-married to a German, Mr. Heinz (was constantly referred to as Mrs. Heinz in all subsequent articles film magazines would carry on Zeenat). Zeenat's mother obtained German citizenship, and took her to Germany, where Zeenat was very unhappy, returning to India as soon as she turned 18.
Aman graduated from St. Xavier's College, Mumbai and went to University of Southern California
in Los Angeles
, California
for further studies on student aid. Upon returning to India, she first took a job as a journalist for Femina
and then later on moved on to modeling
. One of the first few brands that she modeled for was Taj Mahal Tea and Television X Debut in 1966 exclusively. She was the second runner up in the Miss India
Contest and went on to win the Miss Asia Pacific in 1970.
, winning the Miss Asia Pageant
and a successful modeling career, Aman's film career began with a small role in O. P. Ralhan's Hulchul in 1971. A second role in Hungama (1971), starring singer Kishore Kumar
, was also not successful.
Dev Anand
offered Zaheeda (his second heroine in Prem Pujari
) the role of sister in Hare Rama Hare Krishna (1972). Not realizing the importance of this secondary role, Zaheeda wanted the lead female part (eventually played by Mumtaz
), and she opted out. Aman was chosen as a last-minute replacement.
In Hare Rama Hare Krishna, Aman, aided by R. D. Burman's song "Dum Maro Dum" (Take Another Toke), won over the heart's of audience as Janice. She earned a Filmfare Best Supporting Actress Award
and BFJA Award for Best Actress. Throughout the 1970s, the Dev-Zeenat pairing was seen in half a dozen films: Heera Panna (1973), Ishq Ishq Ishq (1974), Prem Shastra (1974), Warrant (1975), Darling Darling (1977) and Kalabaaz (1977). Of these, Warrant, was the biggest box-office success.
Her hip looks in Yaadon Ki Baaraat (1973) as the girl carrying a guitar, singing "churaliya hai tumne jo dil ko" (in Asha Bhonsle's voice) has won her more popularity and the hearts of millions of fans.
She appeared on every Hindi film magazine's cover during 1970s. In December 1974, Cine Blitz magazine was launched with Zeenat Aman on its cover, a testimony to her popularity at the time. However, she went on as the favourite cover girl of the popular magazine 'Stardust'.
, B.R. Chopra, Raj Kapoor
, Manmohan Desai
, Feroz Khan
, Nasir Hussain
, Manoj Kumar
, Prakash Mehra
, Raj Khosla
and Shakti Samanta
.
In 1978, she starred in Raj Kapoor
's massively publicised Satyam Shivam Sundaram
(1978), however, the film was heavely criticized. The subject ironically dealt with the notion of the soul being more attractive than the body, but Kapoor chose to showcase Aman's sex-appeal. The actress was highly criticized for her exposure but somehow, later on the film had a great deal to do with Zeenat's fame and the movie itself was distinguished as a work of art. She also earned a Filmfare
nomination as Best Actress for this film.
Zeenat Aman's entry into Hollywood also backfired when Krishna Shah's Shalimar
(1978), co-starring Dharmendra
and international names like Rex Harrison
and Sylvia Miles
, proved to be a failure in the USA and in India. Zeenat possessed a convent schoolgirl accent and a penchant for revealing dresses. She matched Sophia Loren
& Gina Lollobrigida
in the battle of oomph at Shalimar
's launch. 1978 could have been a disaster year for her, because of the diminishing box office returns of Satyam Shivam Sundaram
and Shalimar
, but it was Don
that came to the rescue and set her career soaring again. Ironically, her reasons for accepting the role in Don
were altruistic, and she didn't even take any remuneration for it, because she wanted to help the producer, Nariman Irani, who died midway filming. Her role of a Westernized revenge-seeking action heroine contributed to the film's huge success, and her fans reconnected with her again. Westernised heroines like Parveen Babi
and Tina Munim
now followed in her footsteps, by the late 1970s. Aman continued to act in hits like Dharam Veer
, Chhaila Babu
and The Great Gambler
.
(1980) for which she received a Filmfare
Best Actress nomination. This film was followed by success in the love triangle Qurbani
, Ali Baba aur 40 Chor, Dostana (1980) and Lawaaris
(1981).
Zeenat's popularity in Russia was so great after Alibaba Aur 40 Chor
that she felt pressured into doing a supporting role in Sohni Mahiwal
. The film was moderately successful but no credit went to Zeenat.
Her last role as the female lead was in the movie Gawahi, a court room drama, in 1989.
(2003), Jaana... Let's Fall in Love (2006), Chaurahen (2007), Ugly Aur Pagli
(2008), Geeta in Paradise (2009) and Dunno Y... Na Jaane Kyon (2010).
In 2004, she appeared as Mrs. Robinson in the play The Graduate staged at St Andrew's auditorium in Mumbai.
Aman had a TV show called In Conversation with Zeenat made by B4U TV, and also made an appearance along with Hema Malini
in the popular show Koffee with Karan
hosted by Karan Johar
.
Aman received a Lifetime Achievement Award during the Zee Cine Awards function in 2008, as a recognition of her contribution to Hindi Cinema.
She also received An Outstanding Contribution to Indian Cinema award at IIFA awards 2010 held at Colombo, Sri Lanka. She dedicated this award to her mother.
), the ambitious girl who considers having an abortion in order to pursue a career (Ajnabee
), the happy hooker (Manoranjan
), the disenchanted hippie
(Hare Rama Hare Krishna), the girl who falls in love with her mother's one-time lover (Prem Shastra), and a woman married to a caustic cripple but involved in an extramarital relationship (Dhund). She managed to balance these roles with acting in more conventional films such as Chori Mera Kaam, Chhaila Babu, Dostana and Lawaaris, which is considered by many to be a landmark in Indian Cinema. Encyclopædia Britannica
's "Encyclopedia of Hindi Cinema" wrote, "Zeenat Aman had a definite impact on the characterization of the heroine in Hindi films. With films such as Hare Rama Hare Krishna and Yaadon Ki Baraat, she fashioned the image of the youthful and westernized woman in Hindi cinema."
Aman's persona was such that newcomers were, and still are compared to her. Parveen Babi
was called "The poor man's Zeenat Aman", Sarika
was christened "Zeenat Aman 2" and Padmini Kolhapure
was named "Baby Zeenat".
and had two sons Azaan and Zahaan. Mazhar Khan died in September 1998 (renal failure).
Today, Aman lives with her two sons and makes many social appearances and film awards functions, she is rarely seen on screen.
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
n actress who has appeared in Hindi
Bollywood
Bollywood is the informal term popularly used for the Hindi-language film industry based in Mumbai , Maharashtra, India. The term is often incorrectly used to refer to the whole of Indian cinema; it is only a part of the total Indian film industry, which includes other production centers producing...
films, notably in the 1970s and 1980s. She was the second runner up in the Miss India
Miss India
Miss India or Femina Miss India is a national beauty pageant in India, one of the most recognized contests to produce international beauty queens in the 90s, which annually selects three winners to compete globally. It is organized by Femina, a women's magazine published by Bennett, Coleman & Co...
Contest and went on to win the Miss Asia Pacific in 1970. Upon making her debut in Bollywood, Aman was credited with making a lasting impact on the image of its leading actresses by bringing the western heroine look to Hindi cinema, and throughout her career has been considered a sex symbol
Sex symbol
A sex symbol is a celebrity of either gender, typically an actor, musician, supermodel, teen idol, or sports star, noted for their sex appeal. The term was first used in the mid 1950s in relation to the popularity of certain Hollywood stars, especially Marilyn Monroe and Brigitte...
.
Early life
Zeenat Aman was born in Mumbai (erstwhile Bombay) to a MuslimMuslim
A Muslim, also spelled Moslem, is an adherent of Islam, a monotheistic, Abrahamic religion based on the Quran, which Muslims consider the verbatim word of God as revealed to prophet Muhammad. "Muslim" is the Arabic term for "submitter" .Muslims believe that God is one and incomparable...
father, Amanullah Khan and a Hindu mother, Scinda. Her father was a script writer who was one of the writers for such movies as Mughal-e-Azam
Mughal-e-Azam
Mughal-E-Azam is a 1960 Indian historical epic film produced under the banner of Sterling Investment Corporation Pvt Ltd, and directed by K. Asif. With its unmatched production, K. Asif's magnum opus took nine years and $3 million to complete this movie. This was when a typical Bollywood film...
and Pakeezah
Pakeezah
Pakeezah is a 1972 Indian film. It was directed by Kamal Amrohi who was known for his perfectionism. The music is by Ghulam Mohammed and Naushad...
. He died when Zeenat was 13. Her mother re-married to a German, Mr. Heinz (was constantly referred to as Mrs. Heinz in all subsequent articles film magazines would carry on Zeenat). Zeenat's mother obtained German citizenship, and took her to Germany, where Zeenat was very unhappy, returning to India as soon as she turned 18.
Aman graduated from St. Xavier's College, Mumbai and went to University of Southern California
University of Southern California
The University of Southern California is a private, not-for-profit, nonsectarian, research university located in Los Angeles, California, United States. USC was founded in 1880, making it California's oldest private research university...
in Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
for further studies on student aid. Upon returning to India, she first took a job as a journalist for Femina
Femina (India)
Femina is a magazine, published fortnightly in India. It is owned by Worldwide Media, a 50:50 joint venture between BBC Worldwide and The Times Group. It is primarily a women's magazine and features articles on relationships, beauty and fashion,travels,women fight back, cuisine, and health and...
and then later on moved on to modeling
Model (person)
A model , sometimes called a mannequin, is a person who is employed to display, advertise and promote commercial products or to serve as a subject of works of art....
. One of the first few brands that she modeled for was Taj Mahal Tea and Television X Debut in 1966 exclusively. She was the second runner up in the Miss India
Miss India
Miss India or Femina Miss India is a national beauty pageant in India, one of the most recognized contests to produce international beauty queens in the 90s, which annually selects three winners to compete globally. It is organized by Femina, a women's magazine published by Bennett, Coleman & Co...
Contest and went on to win the Miss Asia Pacific in 1970.
The beginning
After having studied in Los AngelesLos Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
, winning the Miss Asia Pageant
Miss Asia Pageant
The Miss Asia Pageant , is organized by the Asia Television Limited , and they have organized this event since 1985. The contest was stopped from the year of 2000 through 2003, and relaunched in 2004....
and a successful modeling career, Aman's film career began with a small role in O. P. Ralhan's Hulchul in 1971. A second role in Hungama (1971), starring singer Kishore Kumar
Kishore Kumar
Kishore Kumar , born Abhas Kumar Ganguly, was an Indian film playback singer and an actor who also worked as lyricist, composer, producer, director, screenwriter and scriptwriter.Kishore Kumar was one of India's greatest performers of the late 20th century...
, was also not successful.
Dev Anand
Dev Anand
Dharam Dev Anand , better known as Dev Anand , is an Indian Hindi Cinema actor, director and film producer. Dev is the second of three brothers who were active in Hindi Cinema. His brothers are Chetan Anand and Vijay Anand. Their sister, Sheel Kanta Kapur, is the mother of renowned Hindi and...
offered Zaheeda (his second heroine in Prem Pujari
Prem Pujari
Prem Pujari is a 1970 Bollywood film produced, directed and written by Dev Anand for Navketan films. The movie stars himself, Waheeda Rehman, Shatrughan Sinha, Prem Chopra, Madan Puri, Amrish Puri. The film's very popular music is by S. D. Burman....
) the role of sister in Hare Rama Hare Krishna (1972). Not realizing the importance of this secondary role, Zaheeda wanted the lead female part (eventually played by Mumtaz
Mumtaz (actress)
Mumtaz , fondly called Mumu, is a famous Bollywood actress, best remembered for her roles in Tere Mere Sapne and Khilona . Her performance in Khilona got her the Filmfare Best Actress Award, while the film itself won the Filmfare Best Movie Award...
), and she opted out. Aman was chosen as a last-minute replacement.
In Hare Rama Hare Krishna, Aman, aided by R. D. Burman's song "Dum Maro Dum" (Take Another Toke), won over the heart's of audience as Janice. She earned a Filmfare Best Supporting Actress Award
Filmfare Best Supporting Actress Award
The Filmfare Best Supporting Actress Awards is given by Filmfare as part of its annual Filmfare Awards for Hindi films, to recognise a female actor who has delivered an outstanding performance in a supporting role...
and BFJA Award for Best Actress. Throughout the 1970s, the Dev-Zeenat pairing was seen in half a dozen films: Heera Panna (1973), Ishq Ishq Ishq (1974), Prem Shastra (1974), Warrant (1975), Darling Darling (1977) and Kalabaaz (1977). Of these, Warrant, was the biggest box-office success.
Her hip looks in Yaadon Ki Baaraat (1973) as the girl carrying a guitar, singing "churaliya hai tumne jo dil ko" (in Asha Bhonsle's voice) has won her more popularity and the hearts of millions of fans.
She appeared on every Hindi film magazine's cover during 1970s. In December 1974, Cine Blitz magazine was launched with Zeenat Aman on its cover, a testimony to her popularity at the time. However, she went on as the favourite cover girl of the popular magazine 'Stardust'.
The late 1970s
Zeenat Aman, in her career, found success with other banners such as Dev AnandDev Anand
Dharam Dev Anand , better known as Dev Anand , is an Indian Hindi Cinema actor, director and film producer. Dev is the second of three brothers who were active in Hindi Cinema. His brothers are Chetan Anand and Vijay Anand. Their sister, Sheel Kanta Kapur, is the mother of renowned Hindi and...
, B.R. Chopra, Raj Kapoor
Raj Kapoor
Known as Ranbir Raj Kapoor Rāj Kapūr, 14 December 1924 – 2 June 1988), also known as The Show-Man, was an Indian film actor, producer and director of Hindi cinema. He was the winner of nine Filmfare Awards, while his films Awaara and Boot Polish were nominated for the Palme d'Or at the...
, Manmohan Desai
Manmohan Desai
Manmohan Desai was a producer and director of Indian movies.- Background :His father, Kikubhai Desai, was an Indian film producer and owner of Paramount Studios from 1931 to 1941. His productions, mainly stunt films, included Circus Queen, Golden Gang, and Sheikh Challi...
, Feroz Khan
Feroz Khan
Feroz Khan was an Indian actor, film editor, producer and director in the Hindi film industry...
, Nasir Hussain
Nasir Hussain
Nasir Husain was an Indian film producer, director and screenwriter.-Early career:Husain first worked with A. R. Kardar when he joined Filmistan as a writer in 1948. The famous films he wrote for Filmistan include Anarkali , Munimjee , and Paying Guest...
, Manoj Kumar
Manoj Kumar
Manoj Kumar is an award-winning Indian actor and director in the Bollywood film industry. He is known for acting in and directing films with patriotic themes, and has been given the nickname "Mr Bharat"...
, Prakash Mehra
Prakash Mehra
-Career:Born on 13 July 1939 at Bijnor, Uttar Pradesh, India, Mehra started in the late 1950s as a production controller. In 1968, he directed Shashi Kapoor who played a double role in Haseena Maan Jayegi. This was followed by the 1971 hit Mela starring the Khan brothers together. In 1973, he...
, Raj Khosla
Raj Khosla
Raj Khosla was one of the top directors, producer and screenwriter in Hindi films from the 1950s to the 1980s. He was known for bringing in ‘neo-noir’ and style in Indian cinema since black & white times, and also as a "women's director" because he showcased actresses at their best. He is often...
and Shakti Samanta
Shakti Samanta
Shakti Samanta was an Indian film director and producer, who founded Shakti Films in 1957, which is most known for films like Howrah Bridge, China Town, Kashmir Ki Kali, An Evening in Paris, Kati Patang and Amar Prem.He received Filmfare Awards for Best Film for Aradhana, Anuraag and Amanush,...
.
In 1978, she starred in Raj Kapoor
Raj Kapoor
Known as Ranbir Raj Kapoor Rāj Kapūr, 14 December 1924 – 2 June 1988), also known as The Show-Man, was an Indian film actor, producer and director of Hindi cinema. He was the winner of nine Filmfare Awards, while his films Awaara and Boot Polish were nominated for the Palme d'Or at the...
's massively publicised Satyam Shivam Sundaram
Satyam Shivam Sundaram
Satyam Shivam Sundaram is an Indian film. Satyam means Truth, Shivam can refer to either Lord Shiva or Eternal and Sundaram means Beautiful.-Plot:...
(1978), however, the film was heavely criticized. The subject ironically dealt with the notion of the soul being more attractive than the body, but Kapoor chose to showcase Aman's sex-appeal. The actress was highly criticized for her exposure but somehow, later on the film had a great deal to do with Zeenat's fame and the movie itself was distinguished as a work of art. She also earned a Filmfare
Filmfare
Filmfare is an English-language tabloid-sized magazine about Indian cinema. Published by The Times Group, India's largest media services conglomerate, in Mumbai , it highlights the doings of the Bollywood film scene...
nomination as Best Actress for this film.
Zeenat Aman's entry into Hollywood also backfired when Krishna Shah's Shalimar
Shalimar (film)
Shalimar is a 1978 Hindi film. Its English version known as Raiders of the Sacred Stone was released in USA. The movie starred Dharmendra, Sir Rex Harrison, Zeenat Aman, Shammi Kapoor, Prem Nath, Aruna Irani and American actors John Saxon and Sylvia Miles in supporting roles. Jayamalini does a...
(1978), co-starring Dharmendra
Dharmendra
Dharmendra Singh Deol |Punjab]]), better known as Dharmendra, is an award-winning Hindi film actor who has appeared in more than 247 Hindi-language films as of 2011. In 1997, he received the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award for his contribution to Hindi cinema and also another Lifetime...
and international names like Rex Harrison
Rex Harrison
Sir Reginald Carey “Rex” Harrison was an English actor of stage and screen. Harrison won an Academy Award and two Tony Awards.-Youth and stage career:...
and Sylvia Miles
Sylvia Miles
-Early life and career:Miles was born Sylvia Reuben Lee in New York City, the daughter of Belle and Reuben Lee, a furniture maker....
, proved to be a failure in the USA and in India. Zeenat possessed a convent schoolgirl accent and a penchant for revealing dresses. She matched Sophia Loren
Sophia Loren
Sophia Loren, OMRI is an Italian actress.In 1962, Loren won the Academy Award for Best Actress for her role in Two Women, along with 21 awards, becoming the first actress to win an Academy Award for a non-English-speaking performance...
& Gina Lollobrigida
Gina Lollobrigida
Gina Lollobrigida is an Italian actress, photojournalist and sculptress. She was one of the most popular European actresses of the 1950s and early 1960s. She was also an iconic sex symbol of the 1950s. Today, she remains an active supporter of Italian and Italian American causes, particularly the...
in the battle of oomph at Shalimar
Shalimar (film)
Shalimar is a 1978 Hindi film. Its English version known as Raiders of the Sacred Stone was released in USA. The movie starred Dharmendra, Sir Rex Harrison, Zeenat Aman, Shammi Kapoor, Prem Nath, Aruna Irani and American actors John Saxon and Sylvia Miles in supporting roles. Jayamalini does a...
's launch. 1978 could have been a disaster year for her, because of the diminishing box office returns of Satyam Shivam Sundaram
Satyam Shivam Sundaram
Satyam Shivam Sundaram is an Indian film. Satyam means Truth, Shivam can refer to either Lord Shiva or Eternal and Sundaram means Beautiful.-Plot:...
and Shalimar
Shalimar (film)
Shalimar is a 1978 Hindi film. Its English version known as Raiders of the Sacred Stone was released in USA. The movie starred Dharmendra, Sir Rex Harrison, Zeenat Aman, Shammi Kapoor, Prem Nath, Aruna Irani and American actors John Saxon and Sylvia Miles in supporting roles. Jayamalini does a...
, but it was Don
Don (1978 film)
Don is a 1978 Indian action film, produced by Nariman Irani and directed by Chandra Barot, with music by Kalyanji Anandji and lyrics by Anjaan. The film stars Amitabh Bachchan, Zeenat Aman, Pran, Iftekhar, Helen and Om Shivpuri, Satyen Kappu and Pinchoo Kapoor. It was the third-highest grossing...
that came to the rescue and set her career soaring again. Ironically, her reasons for accepting the role in Don
Don (1978 film)
Don is a 1978 Indian action film, produced by Nariman Irani and directed by Chandra Barot, with music by Kalyanji Anandji and lyrics by Anjaan. The film stars Amitabh Bachchan, Zeenat Aman, Pran, Iftekhar, Helen and Om Shivpuri, Satyen Kappu and Pinchoo Kapoor. It was the third-highest grossing...
were altruistic, and she didn't even take any remuneration for it, because she wanted to help the producer, Nariman Irani, who died midway filming. Her role of a Westernized revenge-seeking action heroine contributed to the film's huge success, and her fans reconnected with her again. Westernised heroines like Parveen Babi
Parveen Babi
Parveen Babi was an Indian actress, who is most remembered for her glamorous roles alongside top heroes of the 1970s and early 1980s in blockbusters like Deewar, Namak Halaal, Amar Akbar Anthony and Shaan...
and Tina Munim
Tina Munim
Tina Munim is an Indian film actress who had a successful Bollywood career during the late seventies and early eighties. She is married to Anil Ambani. She is involved in a number of philanthropic and charity activities and is currently running an NGO and a hospital.-Early life and...
now followed in her footsteps, by the late 1970s. Aman continued to act in hits like Dharam Veer
Dharam Veer (1977 film)
Dharam-Veer is a 1977 Indian Hindi film, produced and directed by Manmohan Desai. It was part of Desai's four big hits of the year based on the "separated and reunited" theme . The movie stars Dharmendra, Zeenat Aman, Jeetendra, Neetu Singh, Pran, Indrani Mukherjee, Jeevan and Ranjeet...
, Chhaila Babu
Chhaila Babu
Chhailla Babu is a suspense thriller, 1977 Bollywood film. Produced by Shomu Mukherjee and directed by Joy Mukherjee. Rajesh Khanna plays the title role of Chhailla Babu. It stars Zeenat Aman, Asrani, Om Shivpuri and Ranjeet. The film's music is by Laxmikant Pyarelal...
and The Great Gambler
The Great Gambler
The Great Gambler is a 1979 Bollywood film, starring Amitabh Bachchan and Zeenat Aman. The film which is known in Hindi as Sabse Bada Zuari was directed by Shakti Samanta...
.
The 1980s
By the beginning of the 1980s multi-starrers films became a trend, and Zeenat Aman was increasingly asked to just provide sex appeal in hero-oriented, despite success in so many films. In contrast to this trend was her performance as a rape victim seeking justice in B. R. Chopra's Insaaf Ka TarazuInsaaf Ka Tarazu
Insaaf Ka Tarazu is a 1980 Hindi film produced and directed by B. R. Chopra. The film stars Raj Babbar, Deepak Parashar, Zeenat Aman, Padmini Kohlapure, Iftekhar, Simi Garewal, Shreeram Lagoo and Dharmendra in a guest appearance. The music of the film was composed by Ravindra Jain. The film was...
(1980) for which she received a Filmfare
Filmfare
Filmfare is an English-language tabloid-sized magazine about Indian cinema. Published by The Times Group, India's largest media services conglomerate, in Mumbai , it highlights the doings of the Bollywood film scene...
Best Actress nomination. This film was followed by success in the love triangle Qurbani
Qurbani (1980 film)
Qurbani is a 1980 Indian Bollywood movie. The word "qurbani" means "sacrifice" in English. Produced and directed by Feroz Khan . The film stars Feroz Khan, Vinod Khanna, Zeenat Aman, Amjad Khan, Shakti Kapoor, Aruna Irani, Amrish Puri and Kadar Khan...
, Ali Baba aur 40 Chor, Dostana (1980) and Lawaaris
Lawaaris
Lawaaris is a 1981 Bollywood film directed by Prakash Mehra. The film became known for its song "Mere Angene Mein, Tumhara Kya Kaam Hai" rendered twice: The first time by a young Alka Yagnik who earned her first Filmfare Nomination as best female playback singer, and the second time by Amitabh...
(1981).
Zeenat's popularity in Russia was so great after Alibaba Aur 40 Chor
Alibaba Aur 40 Chor
Ali Baba aur 40 chor is a 1980 India-USSR film based on the story of Ali Baba, starring Dharmendra, Hema Malini and Zeenat Aman. The story line is slightly altered to extend as a long movie. The movie was directed by Latif Faiziyev and Umesh Mehra. The writers were Shanti Prakash Bakshi and Boris...
that she felt pressured into doing a supporting role in Sohni Mahiwal
Sohni Mahiwal
Sohni Mahiwal and is included in seven popular tragic romances from Sindh and Baluchistan. The other six are Momal Rano, Umar Marvi, LiLa Chanesar, Noori Jam Tamachi, Sassi Punnun and Dhaj, Ror Kumar commonly known as Seven Queens of Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai...
. The film was moderately successful but no credit went to Zeenat.
Her last role as the female lead was in the movie Gawahi, a court room drama, in 1989.
The 1990s & 2000s
Zeenat came back to the silver screen after a decade doing a cameo role in the film Bhopal Express, and she went on to do small roles in BoomBoom (2003 film)
Boom is a Bollywood film that was released on 19 September 2003. It stars Amitabh Bachchan, Jackie Shroff, Gulshan Grover, Padma Lakshmi, Madhu Sapre, Katrina Kaif and Zeenat Aman. The film is directed by Kaizad Gustad and produced by Jackie Shroff's wife, Ayesha Shroff...
(2003), Jaana... Let's Fall in Love (2006), Chaurahen (2007), Ugly Aur Pagli
Ugly Aur Pagli
Ugly Aur Pagli is a 2008 Bollywood film starring Ranvir Shorey and Mallika Sherawat. It is directed by Sachin Khot and produced by Pritish Nandy...
(2008), Geeta in Paradise (2009) and Dunno Y... Na Jaane Kyon (2010).
In 2004, she appeared as Mrs. Robinson in the play The Graduate staged at St Andrew's auditorium in Mumbai.
Aman had a TV show called In Conversation with Zeenat made by B4U TV, and also made an appearance along with Hema Malini
Hema Malini
Hema Malini is an Indian actress, director and producer, as well as a Bharatanatyam dancer-choreographer. Making her acting debut in Sapno Ka Saudagar , she went on to appear in numerous Bollywood films, most notably those with actor and future-husband Dharmendra. She was initially promoted as...
in the popular show Koffee with Karan
Koffee with Karan
Koffee with Karan is a talk show on STAR World India, hosted by Mumbai based film producer and director Karan Johar.- Overview :...
hosted by Karan Johar
Karan Johar
Karan Johar is an Indian film director, producer, screenwriter and Television host. He is the son of Hiroo Johar and Yash Johar. He is one of the most successful filmmakers in Bollywood. He is most known for directing and producing some of Bollywood's highest grossing films in India and the...
.
Aman received a Lifetime Achievement Award during the Zee Cine Awards function in 2008, as a recognition of her contribution to Hindi Cinema.
She also received An Outstanding Contribution to Indian Cinema award at IIFA awards 2010 held at Colombo, Sri Lanka. She dedicated this award to her mother.
Image
Aman's sultry persona was a contrast to many of the more conservative stars of the era. At a time when heroines were obedient wives and lovers on screen, Aman was drawn to more unconventional roles—she was cast as the opportunist who deserts her jobless lover for a millionaire (Roti Kapda Aur MakaanRoti Kapda Aur Makaan
Roti Kapda Aur Makaan is a 1974 Indian Bollywood Hindi-language film. It was written, produced, directed by and stars Manoj Kumar, alongside Shashi Kapoor, Zeenat Aman, Amitabh Bachchan, Moushmi Chatterjee, Prem Nath and Madan Puri in pivotal roles...
), the ambitious girl who considers having an abortion in order to pursue a career (Ajnabee
Ajnabee (1974 film)
Ajnabee is a 1974 Bollywood film produced by Girija Samanta and directed by Shakti Samanta. The film stars Rajesh Khanna and Zeenat Aman in the lead supported by Prem Chopra, Asrani, Madan Puri, Yogeeta Bali and Asit Sen. The film's music is by R.D. Burman...
), the happy hooker (Manoranjan
Manoranjan
Manoranjan is a 1974 Indian Hindi film directed by Shammi Kapoor. It is a remake of Irma La Douce. Sanjeev Kumar plays Jack Lemmon's role, Zeenat Aman Shirley MacLaine's and Shammi Kapoor plays Lou Jacobi's. Hotel Casanova is called Hotel Mauj!...
), the disenchanted hippie
Hippie
The hippie subculture was originally a youth movement that arose in the United States during the mid-1960s and spread to other countries around the world. The etymology of the term 'hippie' is from hipster, and was initially used to describe beatniks who had moved into San Francisco's...
(Hare Rama Hare Krishna), the girl who falls in love with her mother's one-time lover (Prem Shastra), and a woman married to a caustic cripple but involved in an extramarital relationship (Dhund). She managed to balance these roles with acting in more conventional films such as Chori Mera Kaam, Chhaila Babu, Dostana and Lawaaris, which is considered by many to be a landmark in Indian Cinema. Encyclopædia Britannica
Encyclopædia Britannica
The Encyclopædia Britannica , published by Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., is a general knowledge English-language encyclopaedia that is available in print, as a DVD, and on the Internet. It is written and continuously updated by about 100 full-time editors and more than 4,000 expert...
's "Encyclopedia of Hindi Cinema" wrote, "Zeenat Aman had a definite impact on the characterization of the heroine in Hindi films. With films such as Hare Rama Hare Krishna and Yaadon Ki Baraat, she fashioned the image of the youthful and westernized woman in Hindi cinema."
Aman's persona was such that newcomers were, and still are compared to her. Parveen Babi
Parveen Babi
Parveen Babi was an Indian actress, who is most remembered for her glamorous roles alongside top heroes of the 1970s and early 1980s in blockbusters like Deewar, Namak Halaal, Amar Akbar Anthony and Shaan...
was called "The poor man's Zeenat Aman", Sarika
Sarika
Sarika was born on 3 June 1962 into a Maharashtrian family in New Delhi, India, and became an acclaimed National Award winning Indian actress.-Career:...
was christened "Zeenat Aman 2" and Padmini Kolhapure
Padmini Kolhapure
Padmini Kolhapure is an Indian actress who appeared in Bollywood films during the 1970s and 1980s.-Early life:Padmini Kolhapure is from a Maharashtrian family. Her father, Pandharinath Kolhapure is a classical singer whose family was from Kolhapur and Goa. Her mother, whose family hailed from...
was named "Baby Zeenat".
Personal life
In 1985, she got married to Mazhar KhanMazhar Khan (actor)
Mazhar Khan was an Indian film and television actor and producer and director.-Career:Mazhar made his debut in the 1979 film Baton Baton Mein. He came into recognition with the 1980 film Shaan which was directed by Ramesh Sippy...
and had two sons Azaan and Zahaan. Mazhar Khan died in September 1998 (renal failure).
Today, Aman lives with her two sons and makes many social appearances and film awards functions, she is rarely seen on screen.
Awards and recognitions
- 1972 - Filmfare Best Supporting Actress AwardFilmfare Best Supporting Actress AwardThe Filmfare Best Supporting Actress Awards is given by Filmfare as part of its annual Filmfare Awards for Hindi films, to recognise a female actor who has delivered an outstanding performance in a supporting role...
for Hare Rama Hare Krishna - 1972 - BFJA Awards, Best Actress for Hare Rama Hare Krishna
- 1978 - FilmfareFilmfareFilmfare is an English-language tabloid-sized magazine about Indian cinema. Published by The Times Group, India's largest media services conglomerate, in Mumbai , it highlights the doings of the Bollywood film scene...
Nomination as Best Actress for Satyam Shivam SundaramSatyam Shivam SundaramSatyam Shivam Sundaram is an Indian film. Satyam means Truth, Shivam can refer to either Lord Shiva or Eternal and Sundaram means Beautiful.-Plot:... - 1980 - FilmfareFilmfareFilmfare is an English-language tabloid-sized magazine about Indian cinema. Published by The Times Group, India's largest media services conglomerate, in Mumbai , it highlights the doings of the Bollywood film scene...
Nomination as Best Actress for Insaaf Ka TarazuInsaaf Ka TarazuInsaaf Ka Tarazu is a 1980 Hindi film produced and directed by B. R. Chopra. The film stars Raj Babbar, Deepak Parashar, Zeenat Aman, Padmini Kohlapure, Iftekhar, Simi Garewal, Shreeram Lagoo and Dharmendra in a guest appearance. The music of the film was composed by Ravindra Jain. The film was... - 2003 - Bollywood Awards 'Award for Lifetime Achievement'- Lifetime of Glamour.
- 2006 - "Outstanding Contribution to the Motion Picture Industry of India Awards" at the eighth annual Bollywood Movie Awards.
- 2008 - Zee Cine Award for Lifetime AchievementZee Cine Award for Lifetime AchievementThe Zee Cine Award for Lifetime Achievement is given to someone who is at the verge of retiring from films and it is to commemorate his/her career at the limelight.The respected people are listed below:-...
- 2010 - "Outstanding Contribution to Indian cinema" at the 11th IIFA awards
Further reading
- Dinesh Raheja. The A to Z of Zeenat Aman. Rediff.com, 26 September 2004. Retrieved on 14 November 2005.
- Vidya Sampat & Lavanya Varadrajan. Zeenat Aman: The Sensual. Despardes.com, 4 March 2005. Retrieved on 10 August 2005.
External links
- Celebrity Profile: Zeenat Aman. Buzz18.com
- Zeenat Aman. Yahoo! MoviesYahoo! MoviesYahoo! Movies , provided by the Yahoo! network, is home to a large collection of information on movies, past and new releases, trailers and clips, box office information, and showtimes and movie theater information. Yahoo! Movies also includes red carpet photos, actor galleries, and production...
- Zeenat Aman article at Sunday Observer