Zeenat Aman, one of the most legendary actresses of the Hindi film industry, continues to captivate fans, both young and old, with her charm, grace, and candidness. The iconic actress, who became a household name for her roles in the 1970s and 1980s, recently hosted an “Ask Me Anything” (AMA) session on Reddit. As always, she didn’t hold back in sharing personal thoughts, reflections on her illustrious career, and some fascinating behind-the-scenes revelations.
“I regret missing out on that role!”: Zeenat Aman
Zeenat Aman was asked if there was any role from the past few years that she thought she would have done justice to. In an unexpected but intriguing response, Zeenat Aman mentioned that she would have loved the chance to play the character of Kashibai, portrayed by Priyanka Chopra in Bajirao Mastani (2015).
The character of Kashibai is complex and emotional. Priyanka Chopra’s portrayal of the first wife of Peshwa Bajirao in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s period drama was widely acclaimed, and Zeenat Aman expressed that while she wasn’t certain she would have “nailed” the role, she would have loved to try her hand at it. She said, “I don’t know whether I would have nailed it, but I would have loved the chance to play Priyanka Chopra’s character in Bajirao Mastani. It was a complex role that piqued my interest.”
When reflecting on her career, Zeenat Aman also revealed a regret that has lingered for many years. The actress shared that she regretted giving up a role in the cult classic Amar Akbar Anthony (1977), which starred Amitabh Bachchan, Rishi Kapoor, and Vinod Khanna. The film, directed by Manmohan Desai, remains one of the most beloved movies of Indian cinema, and its mix of humor and drama made it a cultural touchstone.
Zeenat Aman confessed that she had been offered a role in the film, but due to a breakdown in negotiations with the director and producer (with whom she had just delivered a successful hit), she had to pass on the opportunity. Despite not regretting her decision to stand her ground at the time, she admitted, “I regret missing out on that role! It seemed such a fun project.”
During her recent Reddit AMA, Zeenat Aman shared a poignant and somewhat awkward experience involving a fan who mistakenly identified her as the late Parveen Babi. The confusion between the two actresses has been a common occurrence, given that both were prominent stars in the 1970s and 1980s, celebrated for their beauty and on-screen presence.
Zeenat Aman recounted an uncomfortable moment during a trip to Dubai when a fan enthusiastically approached her, thinking that she was Parveen Babi. What made the situation delicate was that the fan had approached her after Babi’s passing. Regarding that incident, Zeenat Aman said, “There was one very awkward moment in Dubai when a woman went absolutely gaga over me thinking I’m Parveen, but this was AFTER her passing! It was so uncomfortable, and I was the one to have to break it to that dejected fan that her favorite actress is no more.”
While the moment was emotionally challenging for both parties, Zeenat Aman handled it with grace. She expressed that she didn’t mind the mix-up, acknowledging Parveen Babi’s beauty and talent by calling her “stunning,” demonstrating her usual poise and understanding despite the unfortunate misunderstanding.