Zeenat Aman opens up about her Hindu name, diverse upbringing

Veteran actor Zeenat Aman, known for iconic films such as Hare Rama Hare Krishna, Satyam Shivam Sundaram and Don, recently spoke about her family background, her name and her views on religion.

In an interview with News18, Zeenat revealed that her parents separated when she was very young, after which she was raised primarily by her mother. She said her father, screenwriter Amanullah Khan, who contributed to films including Mughal-e-Azam and Pakeezah, gave her the name Zeenat Aman, Indian Express reported.

She explained that while her father’s side gave her the name Zeenat Aman, her mother had given her the Hindu name Laliteshwari. She described her mother Vardhini as a deeply religious Hindu who spent several hours daily in prayer and played a major role in her upbringing.

When asked about her own religious beliefs, Zeenat said she does not identify as a religious person. She said her outlook was shaped by growing up around different cultures and faiths. She pointed out that her father was Muslim, her mother was Hindu, her children’s father was Muslim, she studied in a Catholic school and later also had exposure to a global lifestyle through her German stepfather.

Zeenat said these experiences made her believe that all religions promote goodness and humanity. She added that her personal values centre around kindness, peace, equality and love for all people and animals.

Zeenat Aman recalls difficulties in marriage

In an earlier conversation with Simi Garewal, Zeenat also spoke about the challenges she faced during her marriage to actor-director Mazhar Khan.

She said the marriage became difficult when Mazhar struggled with prescription drug addiction and continued habits that affected his health despite concerns raised by family members and doctors. She recalled that his condition worsened and that medical advice had warned of serious kidney-related consequences.

Zeenat said leaving the marriage was emotionally painful and alleged that after Mazhar’s death, she faced difficulties from his family, including being denied the opportunity to pay her final respects.

Zeenat Aman married Mazhar Khan in 1985, and the couple had two sons, Azaan and Zahaan. Mazhar Khan died in 1998 due to kidney failure.