Legendary actress Zeenat Aman turns 74

Mumbai: Renowned Bollywood actress Zeenat Aman celebrates her 73rd birthday on Tuesday, marking a remarkable legacy in Indian cinema.

Born on November 19, 1951, in Germany, Zeenat Aman is celebrated for her astounding career in Indian cinema.

Amanullah Khan, her father, was a screenwriter for iconic films like "Pakeezah" and "Mughal-e-Azam." But fate struck blow, and her father passed away when she was only 13, following which she relocated with her mother to Germany. Zeenat spent nearly five years there before returning to Mumbai at 18.

In Mumbai, Zeenat pursued her undergraduate studies at St. Xavier’s College and later attended the University of California, USA, for further education. She began her career as a journalist with Femina magazine but chose a career path in modeling. After becoming the second runner-up in the Miss India pageant, she achieved international recognition by winning the Miss Asia Pacific title.

Aman launched a career in the entertainment industry in 1971 with O.P. Ralhan’s "Hulchul," followed by "Hungama." However, both films tanked at the box office. In the same year, her career took a meteoric turn with "Hare Rama Hare Krishna" (1971). Her nuanced portrayal of Dev Anand’s troubled sister earned her the Filmfare Award for best supporting actress, catapulting her to fame.

Her stardom was cemented with Naseer Hussain's "Yaadon ki Baraat" in 1973; the iconic song "Chura Liya Hai Tumne Jo Dil Ko" from this film remains an eternal favorite. Zeenat continued to redefine cinematic norms with bold and transformative roles, including Raj Kapoor’s "Satyam Shivam Sundaram" (1978). Though the film courted controversy for its skin-showing aesthetics, it is hailed as one of her most accomplished performances.

Zeenat broke the norms and showcased her versatility as an actor when she appeared in the action-packed movie "Don" (1978), where she broke stereotypes and inspired future actresses with her compelling performance.

Critics accused her of playing eye-candy roles often lacking substance; she silenced them by her riveting performance in B.R. Chopra’s Insaaf Ka Tarazu (1980), where she portrayed a deeply challenging and emotive character. That same year, "Qurbani" became a box-office sensation, with songs like "Laila O Laila" and "Aap Jaisa Koi" attaining cult status.

Throughout her illustrious career, Zeenat worked with the stalwarts of Indian cinema, including Amitabh Bachchan, Dev Anand, Rajesh Khanna, and Shashi Kapoor, among others. Her pairing with Amitabh Bachchan was particularly celebrated, delivering several box-office hits.

In the 1980s, she got hitched to actor Mazhar Khan, following which she curtailed her presence in the Hindi film industry. Over a career spanning five decades, she appeared in around 90 films, leaving an indelible mark on Indian cinema.