Veteran actress Zeenat Aman, a timeless icon of Bollywood, recently took to her Instagram to share a poignant moment from her life that reveals a lesser-known side of her journey. In a heartfelt post, the actress opened up about her reluctance to attend award shows and her quiet years away from the limelight, encapsulating a phase many middle-aged women might relate to.
On Tuesday, Zeenat shared a throwback picture from the 2010 IIFA Awards, held in Colombo, Sri Lanka. The image, captured during a time when Zeenat was mostly out of the public eye, served as a reminder of her self-imposed obscurity. “There aren’t too many pictures of me from this phase of my life. And certainly very few glamorous ones. Which makes this memory all the sweeter,” she wrote, reflecting on the period when she prioritized her home life over her once-thriving career.
In her candid note, Zeenat expressed her surprise at receiving an invitation to the prestigious event, revealing that she was deeply immersed in homemaking with only the occasional work appearance. “It was the summer of 2010, and the who’s who of Hindi cinema had flown down to Colombo, Sri Lanka, to attend the IIFA Awards. I was quite surprised to receive an invite, steeped as I was in homemaking alongside the odd work appearance,” she shared.
Despite her initial reluctance, the awards committee was insistent, pulling her out of her self-imposed retreat. With her two sons by her side, Zeenat packed her bags and attended the event, where she was honored with an award for Outstanding Achievement in Cinema. This recognition reignited her passion for her craft, which had lain dormant for years. “It turned out to be a wonderful visit. I was honoured with an award for Outstanding Achievement in Cinema and felt the allure of my craft after a long while,” she wrote.
Always the keen observer, Zeenat also shared a humorous anecdote from the event, noting the vibrant atmosphere and the high spirits of the attendees. “The event was sponsored by a renowned alcohol company, and their vodka kept the attendees in unguarded, high spirits! There were enough shenanigans underway to fill a gossip magazine, but you know me, I believe discretion is the better part of valour,” she added with a wink.
Zeenat’s post offers a rare glimpse into the life of a star who once dominated the silver screen but chose to step back from the constant glare of public attention. Now, she’s set to return to the spotlight in the upcoming series, The Royals, a modern-day Indian royalty rom-com directed by Priyanka Ghose and Nupur Asthana. The eight-episode series promises to take viewers into the glittering and romantic world of royal life.
Aman, who became a household name during the 70s and 80s after winning the Miss Asia Pacific International title in 1970, is remembered for her bold personality and trendsetting fashion choices. Her filmography includes timeless classics like Satyam Shivam Sundaram, Don, Yaadon Ki Baaraat, Hare Rama Hare Krishna, Qurbani, Dostana, and Dharam Veer.
As Zeenat Aman prepares for her return to the screen, her reflections on fame, life away from the spotlight, and her continued passion for cinema remind us of the ever-changing yet enduring allure of Bollywood’s golden era.