Ten of my favourite Zeenat Aman songs

Zeenat Aman, as she turns 58 today, here's wishing her a very happy birthday!!!!



Upon making her debut in Bollywood, Aman was credited with bringing the Western heroine look to Hindi cinema and she revolutionized the portrayal of Indian Women in its cinema.

1. Chura liya hai tumne (Yaadon Ki Baaraat, 1973) : She pursued Vijay Arora by strumming her guitar singing "Churaliya hai" in the Nasir Hussain's hit film "Yaadon Ki Barat" and she looked so gorgeous!!!



This film stands apart for the amazing soundtrack composed by R D Burman. The album shines with songs like Yaadon Ki Baaraat, Meri Soni, Lekar Hum Diwana Dil, Churaliya Hai Tum Ne and Aapke Kamare Mein all of which are chart-busting scores.

2. Maine poochha chhand se (Abdullah, 1980) : This movie was dirrected by Sanjay Khan, starring - Raj Kapoor, Sanjeev Kumar, Zeenat Aman and himself in the lead role. R D Burman composes the fabulous music with lyrics by Anand Bakshi.



3. Yashomati maaiya se bole nandlala (Satyam Shivam Sundaram, 1978) : Zeenat Aman is a revelation in this Raj Kapoor's film, which also stars Shashi Kapoor and Padmini Kolhapure. Laxmikant Pyarelal's music is an asset to the film and the soul stirring songs by Lata Mangeshkar are wonderful.



4. Dum maro dum (Hare Raama Hare Krishna, 1971) : Dev Anand offered Zaheeda (his second heroine in Prem Pujari) the role of sister in Hare Rama Hare Krishna. Not realizing the importance of this secondary role, Zaheeda wanted the lead female part (eventually played by Mumtaz), and she opted out. Aman was chosen as a last-minute replacement. Upon completion of shooting, Zeenat began packing bags to move to Malta with her mother and German step father (Mr. Heinz) for his job posting. When Dev Anand received feedback on rushes for the film, he insisted that Zeenat and her parents hold off on the move until the film is released and its fate decided, with reluctance they agreed.



The film was an instant hit and Zeenat walked away with all the accolades shunning Mumtaz - never before had the Hindi cinema seen a newcomer overshadow the reigning queen. She won the Filmfare Award as Best Supporting Actress. For the first time, the Indian audience accepted a woman who played a 'less than pure' role in a movie.



5. Do lafzon ki (The Great Gambler, 1979) : Amitabh Bachchan arrives in dual role in this fast paced action thriller. Zeenat Aman and Neetu Singh play the female lead. The film is directed by Shakti Samanta. Music by R.D. Burman is good and the evergreen song Do Lafzon Ki Hai, Pehle and Tum Kitne Din are classic song by all standards.



6. Panna ko tamanna hai (Heera Panna, 1973) : R D Burman scores are gleaming for this film. Produced and directed by Dev Anand this romantic film has Rakhee and Zeenat Aman (as sisters) in the lead cast other than himself. Anand Bakshi pens the beautiful lyrics. Kishore Kumar and Lata Mangeshkar are in their best with Bahut Door Chale and Panna Ki Tamanna.



7. Hum dono do premi (Ajanabee, 1974): R D Burman is once again at his best with wonderful songs like Bheegi Bheegi Raaton Mein, Ek Ajanabee Haseena Se, and Hum Dono Do Premi.



8. Main na bhulunga (Roti Kapada Aur Makaan, 1974): One of my favourite Lata-Mukesh duets.



9. Laila main laila (Qurbani, 1980) : The song and the video says it all!!! She was a real diva.





10. Jiska mujhe tha intezaar Don (1978) : 1978 could have been a disaster year for Zeenat, because of the diminishing box office returns of Satyam Shivam Sundaram and Shalimar, but it was Don that came to the rescue and set her career soaring again. Her role of a Westernized revenge-seeking action heroine contributed to the film's huge success.



Aman's sultry persona was a contrast to many of the more conservative stars of the era. At a time when heroines were obedient wives and lovers on screen, Aman was drawn to more unconventional roles - she was cast as the opportunist who deserts her jobless lover for a millionaire (Roti Kapda Aur Makaan), the ambitious girl who considers aborting her baby to pursue a career (Ajnabee), the happy hooker (Manoranjan), the disenchanted hippie (Hare Rama Hare Krishna), the girl who falls in love with her mother's one-time lover (Prem Shastra), and a woman married to a caustic cripple but involved in an extramarital relationship (Dhund). She managed to balance these roles with acting in more conventional films such as Chori Mera Kaam, Chhaila Babu, Dostana, Insaaf ka Tarazu and Lawaaris, which is considered by many to be a landmark in Indian Cinema.







She won Filmfare Best Supporting Actress Award for 'Hare Rama Hare Krishna' and was nominated for Filmfare Best Actress for 'Satyam Shivam Sundaram' and 'Insaaf Ka Tarazu.'