Not Amitabh Bachchan, Rishi Kapoor, or Dharmendra—this star intimidated Zeenat Aman so much that she was left speechless…,his name is…

Zeenat Aman- A name that is synonymous with the trendsetter, glamorous, and confidence,  has been ruling the film industry and now social media since the 70s. The fearless actress is famously known for bringing a new wave to Bollywood with her fierce and daring roles that broke the stereotypical shackles associated with traditional women. During the era when most female leads were confined to traditional roles, Zeenat Aman took the unconventional route and changed the narrative.

Zeenat Aman, crowned Miss India Pacific in 1970 and the first Indian to win Miss Asia Pacific International, transitioned into films with the same elegance and self-assurance. Her screen presence was magnetic. Whether she wore a glamorous gown or a simple sari, she made heads turn. Zeenat brought a fresh wave to Bollywood.

Becoming the face of modern Indian womanhood on screen, Zeenat Aman’s career trajectory bags a lot of successful film, where she has played opposite the who’s who of Bollywood like – Amitabh Bachchan, Dharmendra, Rishi Kapoor, Shashi Kapoor, Vinod Khanna, and more. But despite her fierce persona, in an interview with Film Companion, she confessed that she was terrified the first time she shared screen space with Rajesh Khanna, fondly known as “Kaka.”

Recalling the moment, Zeenat shared, “I remember when I started in the film industry and Rajesh Khanna was a star. Oh my God, I used to memorise all my lines so that I didn’t make a single mistake. I was completely scared of him, but did I look at him? Not at all. I went to him and I performed. So when I went back to my makeup room, I said in my mind, ‘Wow. I have just given a shot with a superstar.’ I think this is the right attitude.”

Since. Zeenat was a newcomer, it is quite normal for her to feel jitters as she was playing opposite Rajesh Khanna, who was already an established superstar. She worked with him in several films including Ajnabee, Chhaila Babu, Jaanwar, and Aashiq Hoon Baharon Ka, and went on to share a strong on-screen chemistry with him.

Giving tough competition to legendary actresses like Hema Malini, Rekha, Smita Patil, and Shabana Azmi. Her roles in films like Satyam Shivam Sundaram and Roti Kapda Aur Makaan brought bold female characters into the mainstream. Besides this, from her high-fashion Western looks to traditional Indian attire, her fashion statements became trendsetters, followed by countless women.

Zeenat Aman wasn’t just a commendable actress—she was a changemaker who redefined womanhood in Bollywood. And her honesty in admitting her fear of Rajesh Khanna only makes her legacy more relatable, reminding us that even the most confident stars have moments of doubt.

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