Activity Report

Zeenat Aman

Zeenat Aman

@thezeenataman

Followers: 818,265Posts: 199Following: 95

Actor. Mother. Maverick.

View all posts from @thezeenataman

With those twinkling eyes and handsome features, Shashi Kapoor was every Indian schoolgirl’s fantasy! Myself included.

The first time I saw him, I was still in boarding school. He came to Panchgani with the members of the Shakespeareana theatre company (including his future wife Jennifer) to perform Shakespeare! And my goodness, he had the girls in a swoon.

As my luck would have it, Shashi was a south Bombay resident and lived not too far down the road from me. Now neighbours talk, and word soon got around that “THE” Shashi Kapoor had the daily habit of an evening perambulation at 6pm on the dot. My girl friends and I, quite in the tizzy of youth, spent an entire winter break convincing our parents we needed fresh air and that a sunset walk was necessary for our good health. Of course, all we were hoping for was a glimpse of the movie star in his shorts!

When eventually Shashi and my career paths crossed, I found myself in the company of a cheeky, intelligent and charming man. He was quick with both quip and smile, and we ended up costarring in a number of memorable films including Roti, Kapada Aur Makaan, Chori Mera Kaam, and Vakil Babu.

I know I’ve already covered Satyam Shivam Sundaram a fair bit, but I chose to share this clip with you for two reasons. Firstly, it was a big moment in my career. It was my first on screen kiss, and though it caused an uproar at the time, it’s actually quite chaste. I truly did not have a moment of discomfort while shooting it. Secondly, because schoolgirl Zeenat would be thrilled by the audacity of this post, and the realisation that a schoolgirl crush can actualise even if only for celluloid!

He was a warm and wonderful man, and it is truly special to see his legacy alive and thriving in my neighbourhood in the form of Prithvi Theatre.

🌺

391 14557 475719

Windswept in the Western Ghats!

I have become a little undisciplined in my old age, and I’m sorry to admit that I took my recent surgery as an excuse to become overindulgent with food and lazy about exercise. I spent a few weeks languishing at home and watching endless trash on YouTube.

Many of you will agree that such complacency is easy to adopt and hard to shrug off. And so I decided to approach my conundrum with some privilege and style. I booked @zanuski and myself a week at a spa.

Amidst the flowering, rolling landscape of the Western Ghats, I submitted to a laundry list of ayurvedic and naturopathy treatments customised for me. Sheer bliss! It was the precise quietude and reset I needed. Because sure enough, I returned to a packed schedule.

In fact, I am just back from a work event in Delhi, and am contemplating the next post for my Kapoor series. Would you like to read about Shashi or Raj ji first?

🌺

542 37544

370 21125

This World Environment Day, let’s come together to #BeatPlasticPollution — not just in words, but in the way we live.

My heartfelt thanks to the @bhamlafoundation, @my_bmc, the Ministry of Environment, and @unep for welcoming me into this vital cause. It’s not just a campaign — it’s a call to consciousness.

Let’s glide forward and firmly #TikTikPlastic out of our lives.

🌺

83 3371 154703

A busload of gorgeous, joyful prostitutes tease and school a moralistic havaldar as they are driven to the lock-up!

Do you remember this movie?

The opinion on most ‘remakes’ seems to be scathing, but I am very proud to have starred in Shammi Kapoor’s directorial debut Manoranjan, a remake of the American romantic comedy Irma La Douce.

In the 1970s I still lived in south Bombay with my mother, and the producer FC Mehra happened to be our neighbour and friend. It was he who connected me with Shammi ji, for which I am ever grateful. It’s not that Shammi ji and I forged some profound friendship, instead I had the professional joy of working with an immensely talented, musical and affable director. His vision was unstinted - he set the tone for the cast and crew - but he also revealed his playful side. I recall many a lunch during which he teased my costar Sanjeev Kumar about his rumoured romantic trysts to the delight of everyone at the table.

Back to the movie. As a young woman discovering her own feminism, I was keen to sink my teeth into a character who defied societal expectations. In this case, the expectation that a prostitute must be miserable, ashamed, socially rejected and waiting for a white knight! In my books, Nisha is a character right up there with Rupa and Janice. Iconic.

Manoranjan is a mad caper, and there is something so delightful about its lack of priggishness. Do me a favour, and enjoy this number - Dulhan Maike Chali - today. Its loaded lyrics are by Anand Bakshi, it’s sung by the three Mangeshkar sisters, and composed by the one and only RD Burman.

🌺

231 11324 356237

A special note of appreciation for the magicians behind Maji Sa’s look — the costume designers, whose vision elevated every frame. Each drape, jewel, and fabric told its own story, steeped in tradition yet tailored with such contemporary elegance. Stepping into those costumes was like stepping into her spirit. Thank you @aasthasharma @reannmoradian

To my glam team @_pratikshanair_ @makeupnhairbyankita — what a journey we’ve shared. And to those watching The Royals — thank you for welcoming us into your homes and hearts.

🌺

1347 186581

Oh, you’re a Hindi cinema buff but you’ve never heard this song?

That, my dear, is probably because you are very young. Play it for your parents, and they’ll immediately be able to place it.

Here’s the truth, of all the men I worked with from the Kapoor khandan, Rishi and I interacted the least both socially and professionally. In fact, in all the years that our careers overlapped, we only featured together in this one song. That too because Director Nasir Hussain had me pinned as a bit of a lucky talisman that year. Why? Because Yaadon ki Baaraat, his previous film in which I had starred, had been a blockbuster hit.

I too was quite pleased by the success of that film, and found myself unable to refuse Nasir Saab’s request that I make a special appearance in Hum Kisise Kum Naheen. My role involved just this one Qawalli number (the only one of my career) and a romantic scene with Chintu ji.

Those of you who follow this page know that my costars often found my height prohibitive. Within the rigid gender constructs of Hindi cinema (or perhaps world cinema), it was considered unappealing for an actress to be taller than her on-screen love interest. So there we were, Chintu ji and I flirting for the camera on a russet leather couch, but for some reason our seated positions made our height difference more strikingly apparent. Much to Chintu ji’s chagrin, Nasir Saab propped him up on first one and then two cushions to make him appear taller than me!

The banter is quite fun I think. After all, which one of you ladies reading this has never accused your paramour of something along the lines of -

“Jahaan chikni surat dekhte ho, phisal jaate ho!”

Am I right?

🌺

344 17016

Of all the bonds I’ve known, ours was the most meaningful. My mother didn’t just tell me how to live - she showed me, every single day. I watched, I learned, and I loved her for it. Being her daughter has truly been life’s greatest blessing. Happy Mother’s Day.

🌺

138 23614

A Rajkumar. An Aamkumari. One very chaotic royal family ✨👑
Watch The Royals, out now, only on Netflix.

#TheRoyalsOnNetflix @pritishnandycommunications @pritishnandy2018 @rangitapritishnandy @ishitapritishnandy @picsofpinks @nupurasthana @awara_ladki @vishnusinha @itiagarwal @annukampa_harsh @neha.partimatiyani @antaralahiri @aasthasharma @payalghosekaul @ruuhmusic @johmusicx @seth_kanishk @harsh8harsh @adityan28 @nayantaramusic @pritam_gram @panchamighavri @bhumipednekar @ishaankhatter #SakshiTanwar @thezeenataman @norafatehi @milindrunning @thedinomorea @chunkypanday @vihaansamat @kavyatrehan @justudit @sumukhisuresh @lisamishramusic @luke_kenny_live @shveshve @yashaswinidayama @adinathkothare

559 95031

The Royals is unmissable ✨👑
Watch The Royals, out now, only on Netflix.

#TheRoyalsOnNetflix @pritishnandycommunications @pritishnandy2018 @rangitapritishnandy @ishitapritishnandy @picsofpinks @nupurasthana @awara_ladki @vishnusinha @itiagarwal @annukampa_harsh @neha.partimatiyani @antaralahiri @aasthasharma @payalghosekaul @ruuhmusic @johmusicx @seth_kanishk @harsh8harsh @adityan28 @nayantaramusic @pritam_gram @panchamighavri @bhumipednekar @ishaankhatter #SakshiTanwar @thezeenataman @norafatehi @milindrunning @thedinomorea @chunkypanday @vihaansamat @kavyatrehan @justudit @sumukhisuresh @lisamishramusic @luke_kenny_live @shveshve @yashaswinidayama @adinathkothare

218 23446

And that’s the royal-tea ☕
Watch The Royals, out 9 May, only on Netflix.

#TheRoyalsOnNetflix

135 18087 830312

I’m sorry! I’m sorry!

Some of you must be awaiting my series on the Kapoors, but since I’m quite obviously in the midst of a promotional blitzkrieg for The Royals, it has to wait another week or so.

This post is NOT studio mandated. It’s my honest and earnest appreciation for the teamwork and effort that went into creating The Royals. The truth is that as I get older, shoot schedules leave me exhausted. At the end of a 10 to 12 hour workday that involves tedious time in the makeup chair, heavy costumes and jewellery, searing heat and frenzied activity, I am left with swollen ankles and drooping eyes. It’s all quite unglamorous, but then I watch myself on screen and see what a coup the team managed. My character Maji Sahiba is absolutely entitled, queenly, tart and intimidating, just as she was scripted!

Now, while every member of the cast and crew did their best to ensure my comfort, I must admit I am most charmed by the young Mr. Khatter. Here is a boy whose star is on the rise, yet he made it a point to prioritise my wellbeing. From assisting me down the stairs to my vehicle, to bringing me fresh ginger ale to sip on between takes and conjuring up cushions for the uncomfortable plastic chair I had to sit on during readings, he exhibited the courtesies and grace I thought had become virtues of the past. I also witnessed his immense dedication to his work as he honed his horse-riding and dancing skills to really embody his royal character.

I wanted to post about Ishaan many months ago, when I returned from our last schedule in Jaipur. But both Zahaan and Cara insisted that I wait until we were closer to the release date to share my thoughts. Prudent of them, since my sentiments remains the same but perhaps this timing is better to air them. @ishaankhatter , you have an ally in me and I give you all my blessings for a successful career (and meaningful personal life).

Everyone on the project has put their best foot forward with their tireless hard work and dedication to The Royals.

I am truly elated for us to bring this to you!

🌺

265 85092

Similar Profiles You May Like

Charles Barkley

Charles Barkley

@charleswbarkley

@charleswbarkley

554,502 followers

Don Lee 마동석

Don Lee 마동석

7,568,584 followers

Masi

856,741 followers

Michelle Renaud

Michelle Renaud

@michellerenaud

@michellerenaud

5,583,646 followers

Mike Shouhed

492,683 followers

LESLIE LUX

3,405,440 followers

Joseph Morgan

@therealjosephmorgan

@therealjosephmorgan

7,955,022 followers

Filip Yoshi Panek

Filip Yoshi Panek

500,315 followers