Zeenat Aman recalls being objectified in Bollywood

Seasoned actress Zeenat Aman recently recalled the industry being more captivated by her appearance than her intelligence. 

During a recent interview, Zeenat stated that even though she utilized her looks, she opted for roles that challenged her. 

She shared that certain events from her past continue to be a topic of discussion among people, but she emphasized that a few unfavorable incidents from many years ago should not be the sole defining factor of her life.

In a new interview with Vogue India, Zeenat said, "I realized early on that the world desired youth and beauty from women in the film industry. So I leveraged my looks, but I also chose roles that pushed the envelope.”

“Still, there was far more interest in my face and figure than there ever was in my intellect. This is one reason that I have loved aging—it has evened the scales."

She went on to add, “I have led a life of breathtaking highs and profound lows. There is nothing I regret, and nobody that I owe. Any shame or fear that has ever dogged me has long evaporated.”

“There are incidents in my life that the public cling to and that are dredged up again and again. I am aware of these, and becoming increasingly immune to them." 

"My life is not defined by a few bad days that transpired many decades ago, and I need neither sympathy nor defence. I am content with myself.”