Mumbai, April 7: In the 1970s and 80s, Zeenat Aman made bold choices in her film roles. Known for her fearless, stylish, and strong persona in Hindi cinema, she recalls a time before fame when she was innocent and straightforward. Recently, the actress reminisced about her early modeling days, particularly her first professional photoshoot arranged by her mother. This very shoot eventually led to her casting in films by the legendary Dev Anand.
Zeenat Aman shared her memories of modeling and the time spent with her mother. According to her, the two main reasons for doing a professional shoot were to enter films and, if that didn’t work out, to earn pocket money through modeling. She noted that having photos taken at Hamilton, one of India’s oldest photography studios, was a dream for every girl of that era, as many renowned personalities had their shoots done there.
Sharing a cherished photo from her modeling days, she wrote, “My mother took me to the prestigious Hamilton Studio located at Ballard Estate, where my first professional pictures were taken. Notable producers lived in our neighborhood, and film stars resided just across the street. Many of my close friends were stepping into the entertainment industry. Parties and conversations revolved around films, and this environment inspired me to enter the field.”
She continued, “Established in 1928, Hamilton Studio is one of India’s oldest photography studios, where some of history’s most notable personalities have been photographed. On that day, my mother styled my hair, draped me in a sari, and stood behind the camera as I shyly posed for the first time. Years later, Dev Anand discovered me.”
It’s worth noting that Zeenat Aman and Dev Anand starred together in the iconic hit film “Hare Rama Hare Krishna,” after which they collaborated on several successful films, including “Heera Panna,” “Ishq Ishq Ishq,” and “Prem Shastra.”
Leave a Comment