Zeenat Aman (b. 1951)

Actress. Former advertising model. First major role in Hare Rama Hare Krishna as emancipated ‘hippie’ sister of hero Dev Anand, heralding the 70s look of the Westernised, ‘liberated’ young woman in Hindi film. At its best, this attempt to represent ‘modernity’ redefined the love story (Yaadon Ki Baraat) by violating several moral codes advocated by earlier melodramas to control female sexuality. The image was adopted and negatively inflected, notably by Parveen Babi (the gangster’s moll in Deewar, 1975), in the context of Amitabh Bachchan’s vigilante themes. Raj Kapoor later used the image to stigmatise the obscenity of contemporary consumerist versions of religious symbolism in Satyam Shivam Sundaram.

FILMOGRAPHY: 1971: Hulchul; Hare Rama Hare Krishna; Hangama; 1973: Dhund; Heera Panna; Yaadon Ki Baraat; 1974: Ajnabi; Ishq Ishq Ishq; Manoranjan; Prem Shastra; Roti Kapda Aur Makaan; 1975: Chori Mera Kaam; Warrant; 1976: Deewangee; 1977: Ashiq Hoon Baharon Ka; Chhaila Babu; Darling Darling; Dharam Veer; Hum Kisise Kum Nahin; Kalabaaz; Paapi; 1978: Chor Ke Ghar Chor; Don; Heeralal Pannalal; Satyam Shivam Sundaram; Shalimar; 1979: The Great Gambler; 1980: Abdullah; Alibaba Aur Chalis Chor; Bombay 405 Miles; Dostana; Insaaf Ka Tarazu; Takkar; Ram Balram; Qurbani; 1981: Qatilon Ke Qatil; Krodhi; Lawaris; Professor Pyarelal; Gopichand Jasoos; Vakil Babu; Daulat; 1982: Ashanti; Samrat; Teesri Aankh; Jaanwar; Pyaas; 1983: Bandhan Kachche Dhaagon Ka; Humse Hai Zamana; Mahaan; Namumkin; Pukar; Taqdeer; 1984: Jagir/Teen? Murti; Meri Adalat; Pakhandi; Sohni Mahiwal; Yeh Desh; 1985: Amir Admi Gareeb Admi; Bhawani Junction; Yaar Kasam; Yaadon Ki Kasam; Haathon Ki Lakeeren; 1986: Aurat; Baat Ban Jaye; 1987: Daku Hasina; 1989: Gawahi; Tujhe Nahin Chhodunga.

Actor