Zeenat Aman opens up on facing casting couch in Bollywood, says men made advances on her: ‘Don’t want my personal history….’

Not even superstars are exempt from facing marital troubles. Zeenat Aman was one of the highest-paid stars in Bollywood in the 1970s, with blockbusters such as Satyam Shivam Sundaram, Yaadon Ki Baarat, Don, etc. She was also one of the earliest actresses to break the mould of the Bollywood heroine, who was often depicted as utterly chaste and naive, and gifted the masses a new leading lady who was unabashedly and unapologetically sensual and confident. Despite her stratospheric professional success, Zeenat’s personal life was tumultuous.

In a recent appearance on the podcast Between Us By Anamika, the actress opened up about her troubled marriage with Mazhar Khan and facing the casting couch in Bollywood.

The ‘Don’ star acknowledged she did face unwanted advances from predatory people, but she did not want to revisit those episodes in her life and turn it into gossip fodder. “I have had advances made towards me. As most women in public life probably have. But I don’t want to turn my personal history into anecdotal spectacle. There are things I can discuss thoughtfully and things I prefer to keep mine...” she said.


Looking back, Zeenat explained that when she married Mazhar, she was prepared to embrace motherhood. She had previously spoken about her desire to build a family and viewed marriage as the natural path toward creating one. Her decision to marry was therefore influenced by her hopes of becoming a mother and starting a family.

She described the experience as deeply revealing, particularly because it helped her understand the distinction between genuine love and losing one's own identity within a relationship. Zeenat said she remained committed to the marriage for several reasons, including the promise she had made, the presence of their children and her belief that circumstances could eventually improve.

Over time, however, she came to recognise that supporting another person should not require sacrificing one's own emotional and personal well-being.

Zeenat reflected that she had spent considerable time trying to deal with problems on her husband's behalf and had supported him through many of his struggles. Eventually, she understood that a person cannot be rescued unless they are willing to take responsibility for changing their own circumstances.

Despite the difficulties in their relationship, Zeenat has maintained restraint when discussing Mazhar, particularly because he was the father of her children. She has indicated that she does not wish to speak about him in a disrespectful or insulting manner.

The heartbreak she experienced also changed her understanding of success, relationships, and self-worth. According to Zeenat, achievement can strengthen a person's confidence, whereas emotional pain can teach them where to draw limits. She came to understand that affection alone cannot sustain a relationship when mutual respect is absent.

She also realised that remaining in a difficult relationship is not necessarily a sign of strength, commitment or virtue. In some situations, walking away can represent an important form of self-respect and can also be beneficial for those who rely on you.

Reflecting on the behaviour women are often encouraged to tolerate, Zeenat noted that many are conditioned to be overly understanding and accommodating toward others. This can lead them to excuse another person's actions while dismissing their own discomfort as something insignificant or inconvenient.

Zeenat married Mazhar Khan, who was also an actor, in 1985. They have two sons – Azaan and Zahaan. Mazhar passed away in 1998.