Zeenat Aman born on November 19, 1951, is an Indian actress who has boldly appeared in Bollywood films mainly in 1970s and 1980s. This was Zeenat who made the bollywood actresses to look like Western heroine. Her Father, Amanullah Khan was Muslim and mother, Scinda was Hindu. Her father was one of the writers for the blockbuster movies of Mughal-e-Azam and Pakeezah. Being graduated from St. Xavier's College, Mumbai Aman went to Southern California University, Los Angeles for further studies on student aid.When she returned 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. After doing all that successfully, Aman began her filmy career by the role in O. P. Ralhan's Hulchul in 1971 followed by Hungama (1971). The role of Aman in Hare Rama Hare Krishna won the heart of millions by the song by R. D. Burman. Aman earned a Filmfare Best Supporting Actress Award and BFJA Award for Best Actress. Aman and Dev Anand pair was that time hit and they had done in about half a dozen of films. Then "Yaadon Ki Baaraat' (1973) garnered her with much popularity and the queen of the million hearts. In which Her hip looks, carrying a guitar, singing 'churaliya hai tumne jo dil ko' (in Asha Bhonsle's voice) stole the million hearts. In 70's she was the woman, who covered the most Hindi film magazine's cover. And 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'. Aman Standed out of the crowd
in Bollywood films by doing the much different roles from the one which were done by the heroines of that time.She picked up the roles different from that of an obedient wives and lovers on screen. Aman was drawn to more unconventional roles like 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). Apart form these roles she also had done, the happy hooker (Manoranjan), the disenchanted hippie (Hare Rama Hare Krishna). And then for other flavor she also looked for the more conventional films like Chori Mera Kaam, Chhaila Babu, Dostana and Lawaaris. Later in 1978, Zeenat was garnered with the Filmfare nomination as Best Actress for the film Satyam Shivam Sundaram (1978). This art drama by Raj Kapoor was heavely criticized as Kapoor chose to showcase Aman's sex-appeal in the film rather than its notion of the soul being more attractive than the body. In the 1980s, it became the trend for the multi-starrers films. Aman was then opted for providing the sex appeal in hero-oriented films. Inspite of this she earned the nomination for the Filmfare Best Actress nomination for her performance as a rape victim seeking justice in B. R. Chopra's Insaaf Ka Tarazu (1980). Her last role as the female lead was in the movie "Gawahi" a court room drama in 1989. 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 Boom (2003), Jaana... Let's Fall in Love (2006), Chaurahen (2007) & Ugly Aur Pagli (2008). Zeenat also received a Lifetime Achievement Award during the Zee Cine Awards function in 2008, as a recognition of her talent & contribution to Hindi Cinema.
Zeenat married Sanjay Khan (Abbas) during the making of the film Abdullah. Soon after the pack up of the movie, she was assaulted by Sanjay and his wife Zarine during a private party at the Taj Mahal Hotel in Colaba so badly that her eye was damaged - none of the guests intervened. In 1980's she got married to Mazhar Khan 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.
Films done by Zeenat Aman:
Chaurahen (2007), Boom (2003), Bhopal Express (1999), Gawahi (1989), Namumkin (1988), Aurat (1986), Baat Ban Jaye (1986), Yaadon Ki Kasam (1985), Sohni Mahiwal (1984), Bandhan Kuchchey Dhaagon Ka (1983), Mahaan (1983), Ashanti (1982), Insaf Ka Tarazu (1980), Dostana (1980), Qurbani (1980), Alibaba Aur 40 Chor (1980), Bombay 405 Miles (1980), Don (1978), Satyam Shivam Sundaram: Love Sublime (1978), Heeralal Pannalal (1978), Darling Darling (1977), Ajanabee (1974), Manoranjan (1974), Roti Kapada Aur Makaan (1974), Dhund (1973), Yaadon Ki Baaraat (1973), Hare Raama Hare Krishna (1971).