Mumbai, October 1 (Daily Kiran) : Asha Parekh is a name synonymous with the golden era of Hindi cinema, where her performances and dance captivated audiences. However, her journey was not without challenges. At one point, she was paid a mere 11 rupees for a role, only to be dismissed from the film, told that she lacked the qualities of a “star material.” This rejection marked a significant turning point in her life.
Born on October 2, 1942, in Santa Cruz, Mumbai, Asha developed a passion for dance early on. By the age of eight, she showcased her talent in a school program, having trained in Kathak and Bharatanatyam. Her stage performance caught the eye of filmmaker Bimal Roy, who offered her a role as a child artist in the film “Baap Beti.” Prior to that, she also appeared in films like “Maa,” “Aasman,” and “Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.”
The most significant setback in Asha’s career occurred when she was signed as the lead actress for Vijay Bhatt’s film “Goonj Uthi Shehnai.” Despite her excitement, she was removed from the project after a few days of filming, with the producers stating she was not “star material.” Her role was ultimately given to another actress, which was a crushing blow for her at the time.
Yet, fortune soon smiled upon her. Shortly after this setback, filmmaker Nasir Hussain called her for a screen test for “Dil Deke Dekho.” Asha aced the test and landed the role alongside Shammi Kapoor in the 1959 film, which became a hit and established her as a leading actress. From that point on, she never looked back.
Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, Asha Parekh emerged as one of the foremost actresses in Hindi cinema. She starred in iconic films such as “Jab Pyaar Kisi Se Hota Hai,” “Teesri Manzil,” “Love in Tokyo,” “Mere Sanam,” “Aaye Din Bahar Ke,” “Upkar,” “Kati Patang,” “Aan Milo Sajna,” “Kaarwaan,” and “Mera Gaon Mera Desh.” Her performance in “Kati Patang” earned her the Filmfare Award for Best Actress.
Asha did not limit herself to acting; she also ventured into production and direction. She directed the Gujarati serial “Jyoti” and worked on projects like “Kora Kagaz.” Additionally, she served as the president of the Cine and TV Artists Association and held the position of chairperson of the Central Board of Film Certification (Censor Board) from 1998 to 2001, becoming the first woman to do so.
In recognition of her contributions to cinema, Asha Parekh was awarded the Padma Shri in 1992. She received the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award in 2002 and was honored with the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 2020, regarded as the highest accolade in Indian cinema.
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