Zeenat Aman Defends Rupa's Sensuality 45 Years After Release Of Satyam Shivam Sundaram

Veteran actor Zeenat Aman recently joined Instagram and gave Bollywood a walk down memory lane. Seeing her gracing the social media platform – which Millennials and Gen-Zs eat, breath, and sleep with – she somehow reminded us of simpler times.

The actor posted a casual image of her slaying in an uber-cool denim shirt and black sunglasses. She wrote that she would be sharing an image on February 16 along with the story behind it. After 45 years, the actor broke her silence on the much controversial costume she wore in Satyam Shivam Sundaram (1978).

Nothing Obscene About Human Body

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Zeenat Aman (@thezeenataman)

Sharing the above image, Aman said she was photographed by J P Singhal in 1977 while she was shooting for one of her most memorable films, Satyam Shivam Sundaram. The film was shot in the R. K. Studios, and her costumes were designed by Bhanu Athaiya, an Oscar-winning designer.

She pointed out in the caption that any acquainted with the history of Bollywood would be aware of the controversy of her costume and the “brouhaha about my character Rupa.” She added that accusations of obscenity always amused her because “I did not and do not find anything obscene about the human body.”

Calling herself, "A director’s actor,” Aman clarified that her look was a part of her job of being an actor. Defending her character, the actor said, “Rupa’s sensuality was not the crux of the plot, but a part of it.”

She clarified that the set of the film is not a sensual space but a place where every move is ‘choreographed, rehearsed and performed’ in front of many crew members.

Concerns About Her Western Image

Image Courtesy: Instagram/thezeenataman

Aman confessed that despite director Raj Kapoor bringing her on board Satyam Shivam Sundaram, he remained concerned about her “Western” image. He was sceptical that the audience would accept her in the avatar of a village girl. Hence, this photograph was a part of the look test for the film.

Later, they also shot a small reel on Lata Mangeshkar’s Jaago Mohan Pyare, a song from Jagte Raho (1956).

Don't Miss: Harmanpreet Kaur: The Rise Of Indian Women's T20 Captain

Zeenat Aman On Instagram

Image Courtesy: Instagram/thezeenataman

Zeenat Aman joined Instagram only a few days ago, and she already has more than 18,000 followers and rising. She posted two pictures clicked by photographer Tanya Agarwal.

She shared that in the 70s, the Hindi film industry was dominated by men, and she used to be the only woman on the sets of her films. She said she had been photographed by many men in the past, but pointed out that a woman’s gaze is different. Appreciating and thanking the young photographer, Aman wrote about where the pictures were taken, “In the comfort of my home. No lights, no makeup artist, no hairdresser, no stylist, no assistants. Just a lovely sunny afternoon.”

Don't Miss: When I Was Asked To Ditch Outfits That Were 'Too Modern'

Tolerance, Love & Empowerment

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Zeenat Aman (@thezeenataman)

In another throwback image with her mother, Vardhini Scharwatcher, Aman praised the woman who raised her and called her a ‘pataka’. She described her as, “Elegant, intelligent, feisty and my pillar of support.”

While practising Hinduism, Aman’s mother epitomised the ideas of love, tolerance and empowerment. She pointed out that her mother’s faith did not stop her from marrying a Muslim, Amanullah Khan. Later, the couple separated, and Scharwatcher married a German whom Aman called Uncle Heinz.

Though the actor lost many family photographs in the Mumbai floods of 2005, this throwback was a lovely tribute to the “wind beneath my (her) wings.”

Recommended Video