A Troubled Marriage She Rarely Spoke About
Zeenat Aman’s personal life was far from the glamour of her on-screen persona. She married actor Sanjay Khan in the late 1970s, but their relationship was short-lived and deeply troubled. Reports suggest that the marriage was kept secret for a while and ended in separation after a highly publicized incident of physical abuse at a Mumbai hotel. Later, she married businessman Mazhar Khan, but that marriage too was fraught with challenges. Mazhar reportedly struggled with health and career issues, and their relationship faced tension until his death in 1998. Zeenat often avoided speaking publicly about these personal struggles, choosing instead to focus on raising her two sons as a single mother.
Worked Odd Jobs During Her Struggling Phase
Despite her glamorous image, Zeenat Aman faced significant financial difficulties in her later years. After her film offers slowed down, she quietly took on various small jobs to support her two children as a single mother. From writing advice columns to hosting etiquette classes and even recording audio narrations, Zeenat navigated this period without public attention, calling it one of the loneliest phases of her life.
Questioned Gender Bias in the Industry
In her reflective posts, Zeenat spoke about how traditional film sets often prioritized male stardom visually. In one instance, her co-star was made to stand on cushions to appear taller than her, simply to satisfy the audience’s expectations of male dominance. She openly criticized these outdated practices that sidelined natural talent for appearance-based conventions.
Disguised Herself to Get a Role
For her iconic role in Satyam Shivam Sundaram, Zeenat didn’t rely on her beauty. Instead, she surprised Raj Kapoor by arriving at his office dressed like a village woman, complete with burn scars on her face. Her dedication and convincing transformation led to her being cast immediately, showing her commitment to serious roles beyond her glamorous persona.
From Phone Fight to Career Breakthrough
Interestingly, Zeenat once received an abusive phone call from director Feroz Khan after a misunderstanding. Yet, soon after, he offered her the lead role in Qurbaani, one of her biggest hits. This incident highlights the unpredictable relationships and dynamics between actors and directors in Bollywood’s earlier years.
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