Profile of Zeenat Aman on Famous Like Me

Zeenat Aman (born November 19, 1951) is an Indian actress.

Zeenat Aman was born in Germany to a Hindu mother and a Muslim father, Amanullah. Her father was one of the writers for the movie Mughal-e-Azam and he died when Zeenat was just 13. Zeenat graduated from St. Xavier's School in Mumbai and went to Los Angeles for her studies. Upon returning to India, she first took a job as a journalist for Femina India and then later on moved on to modeling. She was the second runner up in the Miss India Contest and went on to win the Miss Asia Pacific in 1970.

Film Career

Zeenat'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, Zeenat was drawn to more unique roles - she was cast as the opportunist who deserts her jobless lover for a millionaire (Roti Kapda Aur Makaan), the ambitious girl who considers aborting her baby 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 Lawaris.

The Beginning

After having studied in Los Angeles, 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), was also not successful.

Work with Dev Anand

However, a mistake on actress Zaheeda's part changed the course of Aman's career. Dev Anand offered Zaheeda (his second heroine in Prem Pujari) the role of sister in Hare Rama Krishna (1972). Overlooking the fact that the role was important, Zaheeda wanted the heroine's role (eventually played by Mumtaz), and she opted out. Zeenat was chosen as a last-minute replacement.

In Hare Ram Hare Krishna, Zeenat, aided by R. D. Burman's song "Dum maro dum" (Take Another Toke), won over the audience as Janice. Throughout the 1970's, 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.

The Late 1970's

Zeenat, in her later career, found success with other banners such as B. R. Chopra, Nasir Hussain, Shakti Samanta, Manoj Kumar and Manmohan Desai.

In 1978, she starred in Raj Kapoor's massively publicised Satyam Shivam Sundaram (1978), however, the film wasn't much of a success. The subject ironically dealt with the notion of the soul being more attractive than the body, but Kapoor chose to showcase Zeenat's sex-appeal. Both Kapoor and Aman had to answer to a poor critical reception.

Zeenat's entry into Hollywood also backfired when Krishna Shah's Shalimar (1978), costarring international names like Rex Harrison and Sylvia Milles, proved to be a failure. Westernised heroines like Parveen Babi and Tina Munim now followed in her footsteps, by the late 1970's. Zeenat continued to act in hits like Dharam Veer and Don.

The 1980's

Unlike her breakthrough roles in the early 1970s, Zeenat was increasingly asked to just provide sex appeal in hero-oriented, multi-star films. In contrast to this trend was her performance as a rape victim seeking justice in B. R. Chopra's Insaaf Ka Tarazu (1980). This film was followed by success in the love triangle Qurbani (1980). Zeenat enjoyed a phase of renewed fame when she associated with Sanjay Khan during Abdullah (1980), a colourful costume drama set in the arid desert. After their relationship ended, Zeenat's career stagnated.

Personal Life

Aman married Mazhar Khan at the peak of her career and the couple had two sons. He died in September, 1998 after a prolonged illness. Today, Zeenat lives with her two sons and makes many social appearances. She is seen on screen rarely, in films such as Bhopal Express and the Kaizad Gustad film Boom.

Filmography

• Boom (2003)
• Bhopal Express (1999)
• Gawahi (1989)
• Tujhe Nahin Chhodunga (1989)
• Naa Mumkin (1988)
• Daku Hasina (1987)
• Aurat (1986)
• Baat Ban Jaye (1986)
• Haathon Ki Lakeeren (1986)
• Amir Aadmi Gareeb Aadmi (1985)
• Bhawani Junction (1985)
• Yaadon Ki Kasam (1985)
• Yaar Kasam (1985)
• Jagir (1984)
• Meri Adalat (1984)
• Pakhandi (1984)
• Sohni Mahiwal (1984)
• Yeh Desh (1984)
• Humse Hai Zamana (1983)
• Mahaan (1983)
• Pukar (1983)
• Taqdeer (1983)
• Bandhan Kuchchey Dhaagon Ka (1983)
• Ashanti (1982)
• Daulat (1982)
• Jaanwar (1982)
• Pyaas (1982)
• Samraat (1982)
• Teesri Aankh (1982)
• Vakil Babu (1982)
• Gopichand Jasoos (1982)
• Katilon Ke Kaatil (1981)
• Krodhi (1981)
• Laawaris (1981)
• Professor Pyarelal (1981)
• Abdullah (1980)
• Bombay 405 Miles (1980)
• Ram Balram (1980)
• Takkar (1980)
• Insaf Ka Tarazu (1980)
• Dostana (1980)
• Qurbani (1980)
• Alibaba Aur 40 Chor (1980)
• Cinema Cinema (1979)
• The Great Gambler (1979)
• Chor Ke Ghar Chor (1978)
• Heeralal Pannalal (1978)
• Shalimar (1978)
• Don (1978)
• Satyam Shivam Sundaram: Love Sublime (1978)
• Aashiq Hoon Baharon Ka (1977)
• Chhaila Babu (1977)
• Darling Darling (1977)
• Dharam Veer (1977)
• Hum Kisi Se Kum Nahin (1977)
• Kalabaaz (1977)
• Paapi (1977)
• Deewangee (1976)
• Chori Mera Kaam (1975)
• Warrant (1975)
• Ajnabi (1974)
• Ishq Ishq Ishq (1974)
• Manoranjan (1974)
• Prem Shastra (1974)
• Roti Kapada Aur Makaan (1974)
• Heera Panna (1973)
• Yaadon Ki Baaraat (1973)
• Dhund (1973)
• Hare Rama Hare Krishna (1971)
• Hungama (1971)
• Hulchul (1971)

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