Before becoming one of the most popular stars of Hindi cinema and a style icon of the 1970s, Zeenat Aman envisions a very different future for himself. Although he is the son of a famous screenwriter Amanullah Khanbest known for writing Mughal-e-Azam, Zeenat says she neither grew up around Hindi films nor aspired to be an actress. Instead, he hopes to further his education and pursue an academic career, possibly abroad. However, a successful stint in modeling and beauty pageants unexpectedly opened the way to films, changing the course of her life before she could complete her graduation.Zeenat reflects on her upbringing and explains that her father’s cinematic legacy had little impact on her childhood because she was raised by her mother after her parents separated.“It is true that my father is a prolific writer and unique in the work he does in films. However, I do not live with my father. My parents separated when I was two years old, and I was raised by my mother. Of course, I love him and miss him, but there is no great cinematic influence. It was only later, as an adult, that I realized the quality of his work with Shubra,” said Abra in a conversation with Shubra. The veteran actor admitted that joining the film industry was never part of his original plan and he always saw himself pursuing higher studies. “I didn’t expect cinema. I wasn’t sure if I would live in India or participate in films. It was just luck. It was just a step from the world of modeling, and I really believe that I have a future in academia. I look forward to continuing with further studies. It was a very fleeting thing.”He also revealed how he was disconnected from Hindi cinema despite his family background. “I don’t know Hindi cinema. I don’t know anything about Hindi cinema even though my father is a writer. It’s a whole new world.”Zeenat was only 20 years old when she returned to India from California. Soon, Dev Anand recognized his potential and offered him a breakthrough that launched his acting career. He went on to transform the image of the Hindi film hero, becoming one of the most glamorous stars in the industry, a fashion trendsetter and one of the highest paid actresses of his generation. His filmography includes acclaimed titles like Roti Kapda Aur Makaan, Dharam Veer, Satyam Shivam Sundaram, Don and Qurbani.Earlier, Zeenat also acknowledged the important role of her mother in shaping her career, revealing that she left her own profession to support her son’s journey in films. He said, “When I decided to pursue an acting career, he left his own job to become my manager. He negotiated my contracts, invested my earnings, packed my tiffins, ran my lines, encouraged my style, and strengthened my confidence to the 10th degree.“