Bollywood actress Zeenat Aman has had her share of ups and downs. She started her career in the modelling industry and gained recognition by winning both the Femina Miss India and Miss Asia Pacific International pageants in 1970. Early in her career, Zeenat Aman met actor Raaj Kumar at a film premiere. She greeted him and the actor suggested that she should try her luck in acting seeing her beauty.
Only a few are aware that the actress was screen-tested for a supporting role in the 1970 Hindi romantic musical film Heer Ranjha, directed by Chetan Anand. But she didn’t land the part due to her poor Urdu-speaking skills. The film is adapted from the 1766 epic poem Heer by Punjabi poet Waris Shah. Heer Raanjha turned out to be a major success for Chetan Anand, with Raaj Kumar starring in the lead role.
Priya Rajvansh starred opposite Raaj Kumar in the film. Their pairing was well-received by the audience. But it’s not widely known that Zeenat Aman was initially slated to work in the film but was later dropped from the cast. It is reported that Raaj Kumar wanted to work with her but he refrained from commenting on Chetan’s decision. This incident dates back to the period when Zeenat Aman was striving to establish herself in the film industry.
Heer Raanjha had a stellar cast including Raaj Kumar, Priya Rajvansh, Pran, Prithviraj Kapoor, Ajit, Jayant, Sonia Sahni, Kamini Kaushal, Indrani Mukherjee and Achla Sachdev. With music composed by Madan Mohan, the film marked Chetan Anand’s directorial debut.
Zeenat Aman began her acting journey in 1970, starring in films like The Evil Within and Hulchul. But her breakthrough role came in the musical drama Haré Rama Haré Krishna in 1971. She now reportedly has a few films in the pipeline including Bun Tikki and Black Currency: The Fake Currency Truth Unfolds.
Meanwhile, Raaj Kumar began his acting career in the 1952 movie Rangili. He appeared in several films like Aabshar, Ghamand, and Lakhon Mein Ek. But it was his role as Prince Naushazad in Sohrab Modi’s Nausherwan-E-Adil in 1957 that brought him fame.
Comments
0 comment