Veteran actress Zeenat Aman has criticized the way Hindi films have long romanticized obsession and stalking. Reflecting on her past movies on Instagram, she acknowledged her involvement in promoting this narrative through her roles, but emphasized that she never supported the concept.
Zeenat Aman takes a trip down memory lane
On Thursday, Zeenat posted a scene from her 1982 movie Teesri Aankh, where her role mocks and bothers Dharmendra's character. She wrote, 'A few weeks back, you saw me being harassed and insulted by Amitji's character in a clip from Dostana; this week, you can see me as the one harassing Dharmji's character in Teesri Ankh.'
Zeenat discussed the role reversal in the scene where the heroine chases and bothers the hero, contrary to the usual scenario. However, she mentioned that she did not support her character's behavior. "I think the reason this scene is amusing while the other was frustrating is due to the conventional role reversal. Honestly, I can't support Barkha's actions, just as I couldn't support Inspector Vijay's!"
A large number of our movies celebrate obsession.
Zeenat, who starred in over 50 films as the leading lady during the 70s and 80s, acknowledged that Bollywood has often romanticized obsession in numerous movies. She stated, 'While banter and mischief can be effective courtship tools, I believe our industry sometimes exaggerated these elements. Many of our films celebrate obsession and infatuation rather than depicting genuine, healthy love. I now realize that I contributed to spreading the unrealistic notion of romance that Bollywood has shared with Indians globally. This is my small attempt to address the issue. To be clear, in relationships, consent is essential, and respect must be mutual. Trust me, I learned this lesson the hard way,' she concluded.
Zeenat's opinions were backed by her followers in the comments. One person noted, "The romance depicted in Bollywood films (with a few exceptions) was often quite objectionable and excessive." Another commented, "The most refreshing part of your posts is your self-awareness and honesty. Thanks for sharing your insights."
The latest projects by Zeenat Aman
At 74, Zeenat made her acting comeback last year after a six-year break, taking on a supporting role in the Netflix series The Royals. She portrayed the grandmother of Ishaan Khatter's character and received praise for her performance. This year, Zeenat is set to return to the big screen in Bun Tikki, the debut film of director Faraz Arif Ansari, featuring Abhay Deol and Shabana Azmi in leading roles.
