She is one of the three top Hindi heroines who made their debuts with songless films. Zeenat Aman, born November 19, has entered her 55th year and superceded the two others—Reena Roy (Zaroorat) and Parveen Babi (Charitra)—in both popularity and career-span. Her own Hindi debut was in Hulchul (another songless drama) after doing the English film, The Evil Within, which never released in India.
From ‘Chura Liya Hai Tumne’ to ‘Dum Maro Dum’: 10 cult songs of birthday girl Zeenat Aman
Zeenat not only revolutionized the image of a Hindi film heroine—for good—but emerged as one of our most musical stars in the decade to come. Shooting to fame as the drug addict Jasbir-turned-Janice in Dev Anand’s Hare Rama Hare Krishna (technically her third film after the unsung Hungama, which had the sweet Vinod Khanna-Zeenat duet, ‘Suraj se jo kiran ka naata’), Zeenat’s career is studied with multiple hits, from which we choose 10 songs that have achieved cult status.
The ‘hep’ swinging image that fused with Zeenat Aman after Hare Rama Hare Krishna was best vocally embellished by Asha Bhosle, who became her most-employed voice irrespective of composer. In this Indo-Russian co-production, Zeenat played Fatima, hero Dharmendra’s ally, and sashayed seductively this sizzling R.D. Burman-Anand Bakshi serenade.
‘Hum dono do premee’ / Lata Mangeshkar with Kishore Kumar / Ajanabee (1974)
R.D. Burman and Anand Bakshi held joint and individual sway in the career of Ms. Aman, who broke traditional conventions but could be at home in all kinds of roles from traditional onwards. In this song, Shakti Samanta returned to a train, a la Aradhana, for a song, and the trio delivered this rhythmic rhapsody.
‘Dum maro dum’ / Asha Bhosle / Hare Rama Hare Krishna (1972)
This was the song and also the film that made Zeenat Aman the symbol of youth and the modern, rebellious 1970s. Not only did Zeenat herself and Asha win awards, but if ever a song lastingly styled any heroine, it was this chartbuster. The Binaca Geet Mala annual topper was re-created in 2010 and that film—centering around drugs like this one—was even titled after the chartbuster, with Deepika Padukone enacting it. R.D.-AB again.
‘Aap jaisa koi’ / Nazia Hassan / Qurbani (1980)
Another iconic number, composed by NRI Biddu and written by the legendary Indeevar. The rich yet modern verse was perfect for the situation, and a swinging Zeenat Aman completed the magic. Biddu and Nazia Hassan became a popular composer-singer duo for a while.
‘Laila o Laila’/ Kanchan & Amit Kumar / Qurbani (1980)
Anandji (of the Kalyanji-Anandji duo) once revealed that no song for this situation was pleasing producer-director-actor Feroz Khan, so he suggested to lyricist Indeevar to write lyrics with the word ‘Laila’ in them as that was Feroz’s daughter’s name! Filial sentiment seemed to do the trick and we got Amjad Khan’s most popular song ever, adding to Zeenat’s quantum of distinguished ditties in an all-hit score.
Zeenat has done a few rain songs in her career, and this amorously erotic hit was probably the topper among them. Pyarelal (of the Laxmikant-Pyarelal duo) has revealed that the entire song (composition, arrangements and recording supervision) was done by Laxmikant alone. Verma Malik wrote this mesmerizer.
‘Main na bhooloonga’/ Lata Mangeshkar & Mukesh / Roti Kapada Aur Makaan (1974)
The longest song then recorded (18 minutes in all versions), this Lata-Mukesh evergreen comes from another all-hit score, composed by Laxmikant-Pyarelal. Written by Santosh Anand, this beautiful and sonorous melody remains arguably Zeenat’s most melodious hit ever.
‘Satyam Shivam Sundaram’/ Lata Mangeshkar / Satyam Shivam Sundaram (1978)
Raj Kapoor made Zeenat Aman give a devotional a tantalizing tenor with the visuals, and the synergy between the composition and poetry (by Pt. Narendra Sharma) led to a milestone in film music. Laxmikant-Pyarelal were Raj Kapoor’s composers of choice.
‘Do lafzon ki hai’/ Asha Bhosle, Sharad Kumar and Amitabh Bachchan / The Great Gambler (1979)
Shot as a romantic croon on a gondola in Venice, this ethereal melody gained more attention than the film’s more transient hits over time. Placid and passionate in its Latin as well as Hindi words, the song showcases Amitabh Bachchan’s and Zeenat Aman’s chemistry beautifully.
‘Chura liya hai tumne’ / Asha Bhosle and Mohammed Rafi / Yaadon Ki Baraat (1973)
Arguably one of the most loved duets of this phenomenal star, this timeless creation by R.D. with Majrooh speaks of not just simple yet poetic lyrics but an elegant tune, whose basic mukhda was inspired by the theme music of the Hollywood comedy, If It Is Tuesday, It Must Be Belgium. The composer not only fashioned a guitar-driven delight but also gave Mohammed Rafi an unforgettable entry in the second verse.
