Zeenat Aman is an Indian 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.
Background
Zeenat Aman was born in Mumbai (erstwhile Bombay) on 19 Nov 1951 to a Muslim 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 got re-married to a German, 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.
Career
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.
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, both films were not successful and she was ready to pack her bags to leave India and go back to Germany with her mother.
Dev Anand offered Zaheeda (his second heroine in Prem Pujari) the role of his 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 won over the heart's of audience as Janice.
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). "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 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.
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.
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 play in hits like "Dharam Veer", "Chhaila Babu" and "The Great Gambler".
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 Tarazu" (1980). 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.
Zeenat came back to screen after a decade doing a cameo role in the film "Bhopal Express", and she went on to do small roles in "Boom" (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.
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"Love is a spring in the air and an extra spring in bed" (с)