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Zeenat Aman
All Zeenat fans probably know how it went for Zeenat once she was back from the US. BTW, her wikipedia page is filled with inaccuracies regarding her years before modeling and movies. Seems like lazy journalists and wiki bloggers alike did not want do any real digging and are just copying and pasting from each other. One of these days, I am going to take matters into my own hands and correct her wiki profile, but not before I have all the facts myself. Perhaps, the fabulous Ms. Aman would grant me an interview next time she is in the US and set the record straight, one can hope, right ? Dear Zeenat, if you by chance are reading this, please grant me my wish :-)
I have attached here a photo of a young Zeenat taken in 1968. You guys probably have seen it, its available in the bing image search and the picture possibly appeared in that God awful movie 'Boom' which showed some amazing pictures of Zeeny Baby growing up. Anyway, there is a fascinating story attached to it. Before I go into details, I suggest those of you love to nit pick take a look at my previous post on Zeenat and see how short her hair was when she was finishing high school. In this picture, she has slightly longer hair, as if she had started growing it out. The story goes like this, the source is Times of India which published an article on one on the oldest studios in Bombay , the Hamilton Studio.
Full article available here .
It was a studio patronized by the rich and famous of smart Bombay society. Maharajas, industrialists and other famous people went there to get their portraits done. One day, Zeenat Aman's mum pulled up in front of the studio in a Mercedes-Benz car. She had Zeenat with her. She wanted Zeeny's pictures to be taken for marriage. The photographer, Mr. Madhavji was captivated by the young girls beauty and tried to convince Mrs Karvaste (that's Zeenat's mum, she did not call herself Mrs. Aman, why should she, 'Aman' last name was from her earlier, broken marriage) to let the pretty girl model for Khatau Mills, which was owned by Madhavji's uncle. But her mum brushed away the idea completely. Well, I guess he planted the seed in young Zeenat's head then, the idea of modeling. Thank God for that. She started working for Femina Magazine. Some people at Femina convinced her that she belonged in front of the camera, not behind it assisting in the shoots and running errands. So she did come in front of the camera, modeling for Taj Mahal Tea for starters and other stuff afterwards. She participated in 1970 Ms. India and won the Ms Asia Pacific Title. She appeared in a forgettable role in the movie 'Hulchul' before she was spotted by Dev Anand smoking in a party. It was not an accident that she was just there hanging out and Dev saab spotted her. She had arranged it with the help of a friend who knew Dev Anand was looking for a new girl for his upcoming movie and the friend wanted Zeenat to meet him. The rest, as they say, is history. I have attached here my favorite picture of Zeenat so far, her with Dev Anand, possibly taken at a party, both looking happy and radiant. I would love to know the story behind this picture, when, where, how etc. I don't know about you, but I absolutely adore little details like this about people I love. Dev Anand was another actor whom I adored immensely. I was too heart broken to write anything about him after his death. One of these days, I will make a nice post about him. Till then, Ciao and enjoy the little tidbits I dig up about my favorite film personalities sometimes.
