Zeenat Aman has always been more than a glamorous face on the big screen. For many movie lovers, she was the woman who changed how heroines were seen in Hindi films. She mixed beauty with bold choices and carried emotions that went far beyond the sparkle of her costumes. Today, at a time when cinema is constantly evolving, the veteran actor believes the world has finally started to understand the deeper layers behind glamour.
In a conversation with IANS, Zeenat smiled at the idea of how people once confused glamour with emptiness.
“Back then, glamour was misunderstood. But even in those roles, there was a lot of feeling, a lot of rebellion,” she said.
When asked if filmmakers are now bringing back nuance and emotional depth, she nodded with confidence. “We don’t only have Hindi cinema today. We have so many strong stories from regional industries too. And there are so many platforms where these stories can be told,” she explained.
According to her, streaming services have completely changed the landscape, allowing fresh voices and new ideas to reach viewers without limits. “OTT has opened doors for everyone young actors, new storytellers, and even established artists,” she added.
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Zeenat also looked back on some of her most memorable films. ‘Hare Rama Hare Krishna’, released in 1971 and directed by Dev Anand, explored the troubled side of the hippie movement and carried a strong anti-drug message. It was inspired by the American psychedelic film ‘Psych-Out’ and her performance as a free-spirited yet broken young woman remains one of her most celebrated roles.
She went on to speak about ‘Qurbani’ (1980), the stylish action drama featuring Vinod Khanna, Amjad Khan and others. The film, often remembered for its music and slick storytelling, was said to be inspired by the 1972 Italian-West German film ‘The Master Touch’. And then there is ‘Satyam Shivam Sundaram’ (1978), in which she starred opposite Shashi Kapoor. The romantic drama explored the conflict between physical beauty and spiritual love.
While fans treasure these classics, Zeenat is not living in the past. She is now the narrator of a new 10-part documentary series titled ‘Embers of Hope: The Fight for Our Future’ on Discovery. Shot across more than 60 locations, the series looks at some of the most urgent challenges facing the planet. These include global warming, pollution, the strain on natural resources, water security, and the loss of biodiversity.