Dear Ms Aman (Zeenat Aman),
Please allow me to gush over you as I pen this heartfelt letter. You must be wondering – What’s wrong with this forty-something woman? And why me, of all celebrities? Doesn’t it border on impertinence?
My Amma- one of your biggest admirers
Being an 80s girl, growing up on a liberal dose of Hindi films, I have admired you since your glorious Bollywood days. My amma was an ardent fan of yours. She always spoke of your bold avatar in front of the camera. Maybe she secretly admired how you broke all stereotypes of a Bollywood heroine – virginal, demure, traditional. You embraced your Westernized self and took the oomph factor to a new height.
Powerful Role Model
Truth be told, I was not in awe of your acting chops back then. I loved to see you cavort in classy clothes. As you sashayed in a gown, lip-syncing to Chura Liya Hai Tume Jo Dil Ko, I badly wanted to strum a guitar. As you grooved to Laila Main Laila, I hummed along with you. Like countless fans, I gasped at Roopa of Satyam Shivam Sundaram.
However, I found myself rooting for you, teary-eyed when Insaaf ka Tarazu came on TV. A rape victim need not spend the rest of her life whining for pity – you taught the cine-goers a thing or two about moving on with dignity and grace. Hats off to you for that, for you were a true trailblazer.
Zeenat Aman’s Instagram: My Daily Dose of Inspiration
Your arrival on Instagram created quite a buzz on social media. It also sparked my interest. I fervently hoped you didn’t turn out to be one of those wannabe attention seekers or posted eye-grabbing pictures. I need not have bothered, for I started to look forward to your erudite posts. I log in nowadays just to read those enviable snippets of wisdom.
Decades have elapsed since you spread magic on the silver screen. Your comeback bowled me over again, proving some stars are eternal.
Enduring Grace in Words
In an era dominated by abbreviations like LOL, LMAO & FOMO, your impeccable language with a fabulous vocabulary that can give an Englishman a run for his Queen’s English is a whiff of fresh air. Your scintillating personality shines through in your recollections from your past.
Redefines Girl Power
They say that a woman is another woman’s enemy. In your characteristic style, you have negated that as well. Your post about Parveen Babi shows how sisterhood works, and your respect for her highlights your lack of insecurity as an actor. You managed to hold your own in a misogyny-infested movie industry. Even the turmoils in your personal life didn’t bog you down. You emerged stronger from the curveballs life threw at you. When you spoke on Koffee with Karan about raising feminist sons, I couldn’t stop letting out a whistle.
What is love? What is crush? Is any of it related to flawless looks? One’sacting skills? One’s long list of awards? One’s fashion sense?
Beyond The Khans To A Shero
Maybe I’m old-fashioned that way. Girls nowadays swoon over Ranveer or Sid. Boys go gaga over Alia. And here I am – writing a letter to THE Zeenat Aman, a seventy-plus actor. However, I would like to believe that I have left behind my puppy-love days when I cheerily rooted for Aamir in Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar. SRK, as Rahul, no longer arouses that tingling sensation in my heart. Kuch Kuch Nahi Hota Hai! I’m in that stage when I look ahead to role models. I’m not pulling down other actors, but I have found a hero (or is it shero) in you.
Ms Aman – please continue to enthral us with your gems. Social media lights up with your presence. In a world where fakeness & filters dominate, your candidness is a beacon of hope for all who crave instant ratifications.
I hope you read my open letter. It would be quite an experience reading about your memories of boisterous fans who were head over heels in love with you.
One Response
Very well expressed