Zeenat Aman first received recognition for her modelling work, and at the age of 19, went on to participate in beauty pageants, winning both the Femina Miss India pageant and the Miss Asia Pacific International pageant in 1970.
52 Facts About Zeenat Aman
2.
Zeenat Aman began acting in 1970, and her early works included the films The Evil Within and Hulchul.
3.
Zeenat Aman next acted in the film Yaadon Ki Baaraat, for which she received further recognition.
4.
Zeenat Aman established herself as a leading actress in the seventies with prominent roles in Roti Kapada Aur Makaan, Ajanabee, Warrant, Chori Mera Kaam, Dharam Veer, Chhailla Babu, Hum Kisise Kum Naheen, and The Great Gambler.
5.
Zeenat Aman acted in Don, a film which spawned the Don franchise.
6.
Zeenat Aman continued acting in films throughout the 1980s, having roles in the films Laawaris, Mahaan, Pukar, Jagir, and had roles in the films Teesri Aankh, Hum Se Hai Zamana.
7.
Zeenat Aman made a cameo in Panipat, and will next appear in a starring role in the upcoming film Margaon: The Closed File, her first leading role since the 1980s.
8.
Zeenat Aman was born as Zeenat Khan in Bombay on 19 November 1951.
9.
Zeenat Aman's father, Amanullah Khan, was a screenwriter for movies such as Mughal-e-Azam and Pakeezah, and often wrote under the nom de plume "Aman", which she later adopted as her screen name.
10.
Zeenat Aman completed her schooling in Panchgani and attended University of Southern California in Los Angeles for further studies on student aid, but she could not complete her graduation.
11.
In 1971, Aman appeared in a minor role in O P Ralhan's Hulchul, and in the same year appeared in another film Hungama, which starred Vinod Khanna, Kishore Kumar, Mehmood and Helen; both films were flops at the box-office.
12.
Zeenat Aman starred in Dhund alongside Sanjay Khan and Danny Denzongpa; its plot was inspired by the Agatha Christie novel The Unexpected Guest.
13.
In 1974, Zeenat Aman began the year starring in Manoj Kumar's film Roti Kapda Aur Makaan, where she portrayed Sheetal, an opportunist who deserts her jobless lover for a millionaire.
14.
Zeenat Aman had continued to star alongside Dev Anand throughout the year, appearing together in Prem Shastra and Ishq Ishq Ishq.
15.
Zeenat Aman had a role as Nisha, a recovering prostitute in the Shammi Kapoor directed film Manoranjan, and starred in Ajanabee as Rashmi, an ambitious girl who considers having an abortion in order to pursue a career; the latter film had an average performance at the box office.
16.
In 1975, Zeenat Aman appeared in two films: she starred in the films Warrant as an assassin, and Chori Mera Kaam as Sharmali, both of which were successful.
17.
Zeenat Aman appeared in Deewaangee alongside Shashi Kapoor, and had an uncredited voice role in Balika Badhu.
18.
Zeenat Aman had roles in the films Darling Darling, which was again portrayed alongside Dev Anand, and in the film Chhailla Babu which was a commercial success.
19.
Zeenat Aman next starred in the film Hum Kisise Kum Naheen as Sunita, the lover of Rishi Kapoor, which was the third highest-grossing Hindi film of the year.
20.
Zeenat Aman next attempted to make an entry into Hollywood, with Krishna Shah's film Shalimar, which proved unsuccessful in both the United States and in India.
21.
Zeenat Aman next starred in Heeralaal Pannalal as well as starring in Chor Ke Ghar Chor, again starring in the latter film with Ashok Kumar.
22.
Zeenat Aman's performance earned her a Filmfare nomination for Best Actress.
23.
Also in 1978, Zeenat Aman originated the role of Roma in the film Don.
24.
The film was released to significant commercial success, and inspired the Don franchise, where Zeenat Aman's character has been portrayed by Priyanka Chopra.
25.
In 1979, Zeenat Aman starred as Shabnam in The Great Gambler.
26.
Zeenat Aman described her work experience on the film as one of her favorites, particularly when they filmed in Italy.
27.
Zeenat Aman's last role that year was a guest appearance in the film Gol Maal.
28.
In 1980, Zeenat Aman first had roles in the films Takkar as Sapna, and Ram Balram as Madhu.
29.
Zeenat Aman starred as Radha alongside Vinod Khanna in Bombay 405 Miles.
30.
Zeenat Aman next starred as Zainab in the Sanjay Khan directed film Abdullah, starring alongside Raj Kapoor, Danny Denzongpa and Khan himself.
31.
Zeenat Aman next starred as Fatima in the Indian-Soviet produced film Adventures of Ali-Baba and the Forty Thieves, better known as Alibaba Aur 40 Chor, which is one of three film adaptations of the original folk tale, and was noted for being one of the first movies to cast actors of other nationalities.
32.
Zeenat Aman next starred in the Feroz Khan directed film Qurbani, in which she starred with Khan and Vinod Khanna; she was cast as Sheela, a singer and dancer.
33.
The song Aap Jaisa Koi, which had been sung by Nazia Hassan and picturised on Zeenat Aman, won a Filmfare Award.
34.
Zeenat Aman starred as Sheetal in the film Dostana alongside Amitabh Bachchan.
35.
In 1981, Zeenat Aman appeared in four films - she first starred as Sonia in Professor Pyarelal, as the heroine to Dharmendra, starred in the film Katilon Ke Kaatil as Jamila, and appeared in the film Krodhi as Neera and led the film Laawaris alongside Amitabh Bachchan.
36.
Zeenat Aman starred in the film Gawahi, a courtroom drama, which would be her last film role before making a temporary retirement from the film industry.
37.
Zeenat Aman had made an appearance along with actress Hema Malini in the talk show Koffee with Karan, hosted by Karan Johar.
38.
Zeenat Aman then had roles in the films Maksham, Jaana.
39.
In 2008, Zeenat Aman guest starred in the feature film Ugly Aur Pagli.
40.
In 2008, Zeenat Aman received a Lifetime Achievement Award during the Zee Cine Awards function in 2008 as a recognition of her contribution to Hindi Cinema.
41.
Zeenat Aman received an "Outstanding Contribution to Indian Cinema" at the IIFA Awards 2010 held at Colombo, Sri Lanka.
42.
Life Is a Moment, released in 2014, which Zeenat Aman had starred in.
43.
In 2012, Zeenat Aman was cast as Roma in the film Strings of Passion.
44.
Zeenat Aman had roles in the films Dil Toh Deewana Hai and Sallu Ki Shaadi.
45.
In 1978, Zeenat Aman married actor Sanjay Khan, which was annulled in 1979.
46.
Zeenat Aman then married actor Mazhar Khan from 1985 to his death in 1998.
47.
Zeenat Aman commented on her marriage with Mazhar Khan in 1999, on the show Rendezvous with Simi Garewal:.
48.
Zeenat Aman always wanted me to be with the kids and be at home.
49.
In 1980, Zeenat Aman was the victim of abuse in an incident where actor Sanjay Khan beat her; she had received a phone call from Khan asking to discuss specifics for the film Abdullah.
50.
Zeenat Aman met with him at the hotel he'd been staying at for the meeting, where he beat her severely, resulting in many injuries after the incident.
51.
However, Zeenat Aman has stated that she does not take the term seriously, and rather felt restricted by it.
52.
Zeenat Aman has won one Bengal Film Journalists' Association Award and one Filmfare Award from three nominations.