Zeenat Aman was born on 19 November 1951. Her father, Amanullah Khan was a Muslim but mother, Scinda was a Hindu. Her father was a writer who has to his credit of writing movies like Mughal-e-Azam and Pakeezah. He expired when Amamn was of thirteen years old. Later her mother remarried a German and acquired a German citizenship. Zeenat completed her graduation from St. Xavier`s College, Mumbai and later did her further studies from Los Angeles. She was married to Sanjay Khan but soon the couple separated. She later married Mazhar Khan and had two sons Azaan and Zahaan.
Early Career of Zeenat Aman
After her studies, Aman earlier worked as a journalist in Femina and then later moved to modelling. She had even endorsed few brands like Taj Mahal Tea and Television X in 1966. She was the second runner up in the Miss India Contest and went on to win the Miss Asia Pacific in 1970.
Film Career of Zeenat Aman
Zeenat Aman debuted with the movie Hulchul in 1971 and next starred in the movie Hungama (1971) opposite Kishore Kumar. Her first major role was in Dev Anand`s Hare Rama Hare Krishna. The film, which won her a Filmfare Award, saw Zeenat Aman play a dope-smoking hippie in the hit song of Asha Bosle, Dum Maro Dum. Her westernized persona was further accentuated in Nasir Hussain`s Yaadon Ki Baraat, in which she left a lasting impression as a guitar-strumming teenager of the disco era.
Another of her memorable roles was in Raj Kapoor`s Satyam Shivam Sundaram which draws attention to modern society`s objectification of women. For this film she teamed up with the stylish Shashi Kapoor. Zeenat Aman also had a successful onscreen partnership with Amitabh Bachchan, starring with him in such hits as Don, Dostana, and Lawaris. Amongst these Don probably deserves a special mention where Zeenat Aman once again breaks the conventional image of a heroine. She plays the role of a resolute modern young woman who seeks revenge for her brother`s death. She has also worked with Dev Anand in a number hit of movies like Heera Panna (1973), Ishq Ishq Ishq (1974), Prem Shastra (1974), Warrant (1975), Darling Darling (1977) and Kalabaaz (1977). Her portrayal of an assaulted woman in the movie Insaaf Ka Tarazu (1980) won her a Filmfare Best Actress nomination. She also acted in the Feroz Khan directed movie Qurbani while her last movie was Gawahi. In the last decade she made a come back with movies such as Boom (2003), Jaana... Let`s Fall in Love (2006), Chaurahen (2007), Ugly Aur Pagli (2008), Geeta in Paradise (2009), Dunno Y Na Jaane Kyun (2010).
In a career spanning over three decades, Zeenat Aman worked with some of the top directors of the time and was part of some big hits. Besides her histrionic skills Zeenat Aman will, probably, always remembered for revolutionizing the way an Indian actress was presented. From costumes to characterization; the entry of Zeenat Aman in Bollywood was indeed an important event in the history of Indian cinema.
Awards and Honours of Zeenat Aman
1972 - Filmfare Best Supporting Actress Award for Hare Rama Hare Krishna
1972 - BFJA Awards, Best Actress for Hare Rama Hare Krishna
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 Achievement
2010 - "Outstanding Contribution to Indian cinema" at the 11th IIFA awards