Veteran actress Zeenat Aman, known for her iconic roles in the 70s and 80s, recently took to Instagram to share a heartfelt memory from the 2010 IIFA Awards in Colombo, Sri Lanka. In her post, she reflected on a time when she had largely stepped away from the limelight, focusing on her family life and making only occasional public appearances.
In a nostalgic throwback, Zeenat shared a picture from the event and opened up about the significance of that moment in her life. “There aren’t too many pictures of me from this phase of my life. And certainly very few glamorous ones. Which makes this memory all the sweeter. Those were the quiet years—acutely so for me, but probably a phase that many middle-aged women can relate to,” she wrote.
She expressed her surprise at being invited to the event, considering how she had been immersed in homemaking with sporadic work appearances. “It was the summer of 2010, and the who’s who of Hindi cinema had flown down to Colombo, Sri Lanka, to attend the IIFA Awards. I was quite surprised to receive an invite, steeped as I was in homemaking alongside the odd work appearance,” Zeenat recalled.
Despite some hesitation, the awards committee’s persistence led her to attend the event with her two sons. The experience turned out to be a memorable one, as she was honored with an award for Outstanding Achievement in Cinema. “It turned out to be a wonderful visit. I was honored with an award for Outstanding Achievement in Cinema, and felt the allure of my craft after a long while,” she shared.
The event was filled with unforgettable moments, as Zeenat observed the lively atmosphere and the “shenanigans” of the attendees, noting, “There were enough shenanigans underway to fill a gossip magazine, but you know me, I believe discretion is the better part of valour.”
Zeenat Aman, who became a household name after winning the Miss Asia Pacific International pageant in 1970, continues to be celebrated for her bold personality and trendsetting style. She will next be seen in the upcoming series The Royals, which promises to showcase the glitz and glamour of modern-day Indian royalty. Directed by Priyanka Ghose and Nupur Asthana, the eight-episode rom-com series is set to offer a fresh glimpse into royal life.
Zeenat Aman remains an indelible icon in Bollywood, having delivered several hits like Satyam Shivam Sundaram, Don, Yaadon Ki Baraat, Hare Rama Hare Krishna, Qurbani, Dostana, and Dharam Veer.
