Zeenat Aman: A FLASHBACK (ICONIC ACTRESS)

Dum-Maro-Dum song's icon, and a model turn actress Zeenat Aman is well known for her versatile roles during the 1970's and 80's. She was born in Bombay in 1951. She was the first South Asian woman to win the Miss Asia Pacific 1970. After completing her studies in Los Angeles; she participated and won the beauty pageant, Miss Asia Pacific 1970; followed by which she lead a successful career in modeling. Zeenat kick-started her career in the film industry in 1971 with a small role in O.P Ralhan's Hulchul, followed by a role with Kishore Kumar for "Hungama", the same year.

She caught a huge attention, even though both the films were not successful. People loved this beauty queen's presence. She was both attractive, elegant and stylish at the same time. She was selected for a role in Hare Ram Hare Krishna, as Dev Anand's sister, in the same year and this one got her all the fame and an impression of liberal acting. Her song Dum Maro Dum by R D Burman is still cherished, which that time got her a lot of praises and accolades. For this, Zeenat earned a Filmfare Best Supporting Actress Award and BFJA Award as Best Actress. Throughout her career, she was considered as a sex symbol yet acting talent was always praised and recognized.

Thereafter, her on-screen pairing was mostly with Dev Anand. And, this pair did a couple of films like "Heera Panna" (1973), "Ishq Ishq Ishq" (1974), "Prem Shastra" (1974), "Warrant" (1975), "Darling Darling" (1977) and "Kalabaaz" (1977). Her hippie looks in "Yaadon ki Baaraat" (1973) as the girl carrying a guitar and singing "chura liya hai tumne jo dil ko.." (playback singing by Asha Bhosle) loaded her with popularity.

In 2003 Zeenat won Bollywood Awards 'Award for Lifetime Achievement'- Lifetime of Glamour; Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award (2006); and Zee Cine Award for Lifetime Achievement (2008). In 2010 and 2011, Outstanding Contribution to Indian cinema" at the 11th IIFA awards and Best Contribution to Indian cinema" at the 11th IIFA awards.