Mumbai, Nov 24 : Veteran actor Zeenat Aman, long credited with redefining the image of the Hindi film heroine, says contemporary cinema is finally embracing the emotional depth and layered storytelling that she and her generation pushed for decades ago.
In a conversation with IANS, Zeenat reflected on how glamour in her era was often misinterpreted. “Back then, glamour was misunderstood. But even in those roles, there was a lot of feeling, a lot of rebellion,” she said, recalling how audiences once equated style with superficiality.
Asked whether filmmakers today are bringing nuance back into the spotlight, she agreed, noting India’s expanding cinematic landscape. “We don’t only have Hindi cinema today. We have so many strong stories from regional industries too. And there are so many platforms where these stories can be told,” she said.
Aman believes that streaming platforms have transformed the industry, offering equal opportunity to emerging and established talent. “OTT has opened doors for everyone young actors, new storytellers, and even established artists,” she added.
The actor also revisited some of her iconic performances. Her role in ‘Hare Rama Hare Krishna’ (1971), inspired by the American psychedelic film Psych-Out, remains a standout for its raw portrayal of a troubled youth amid the hippie movement.
She also spoke about ‘Qurbani’ (1980), the slick action drama inspired by the European film The Master Touch, and ‘Satyam Shivam Sundaram’ (1978), which delved into the clash between physical beauty and spiritual purity.
While these works remain timeless, Zeenat is firmly focused on the present. She now narrates ‘Embers of Hope: The Fight for Our Future’, a 10-part Discovery documentary filmed across more than 60 locations. The series examines pressing global challenges, including climate change, shrinking natural resources, water security, pollution, and biodiversity loss.