Meet Shashi Kapoor co-star who became an overnight star because of Dev Anand, but had to shed…

Bollywood Movies News

Actresses often face pressure in shedding their bold and strong-willed image to ensure they easily transition into traditional and coy roles. The star we discuss today too had to give in to the pressure of distancing herself from what many perceived as a westernised version of femininity to project a different image. Also Read – This actress lost all her properties, wasn’t allowed to see her husband’s last rites

Hare Rama Hare Krishna (1971), which was directed by Dev Anand, gave Zeenat Aman her breakout role. The film had featured her as a free-spirited woman who showed no qualms in going against her family. A couple of years later, in 1973, Zeenat was again seen in a glamorous role in popular film Yaadon Ki Baaraat. The star portrayed a confident woman and was successful in establishing herself as a lead actress in the showbiz industry. Also Read – Released in 1971, one song of this superhit film was banned by government, superstar Mumtaz was challenged by…

Don, which had been released in 1978 too, featured her playing a glamorous and modern woman. The same year also saw Zeenat give her most memorable performance in Raj Kapoor’s film Satyam Shivam Sundaram. For the unsuspecting, she had played Rupa, a woman with a disfigured face. Also Read – Meet Moushumi Chatterjee’s favourite hero who was loved for his pairing with Zeenat Aman, worked with Amitabh Bachchan, he is…

Going by what Zeenat had mentioned in her Instagram post, her modern image was clearly the hurdle she had to combat in bagging the role. In the 1970s, Zeenat had gained massive recognition for her unconventional roles. Her image, characterised by mini skirts and boots, didn’t align with the rustic portrayal of Rupa, a village girl with a scarred face.

Zeenat had admitted that her’modern image was the culprit’ that made Kapoor never consider her for the role. “I was already a star in my own right, and his lack of interest in casting me began to chafe,” she said in her post. For the unknown, the role demanded an actress who could easily do justice to the purity of Rupa and convey her struggle with society’s perception of her as a “fallen” woman because of her outward appearance. Zeenat was determined to shed her glamorous persona and convince Kapoor to offer her the role. This was why she wore a ghagra choli, braided her hair with a parandi, and wore a scar on her face with tissue paper and glue. This courageous move helped her win the role and convince Kapoor.

Zeenat’s casting in Satyam Shivam Sundaram was clearly a turning point for her and the film. She continues to be revered for her nuanced and flaweless portrayal of Rupa. The film too emerged as a landmark in Bollywood, popular for its depiction and understanding of beauty and spirituality.

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