Zeenat Aman Reflects on Bollywood’s Dark Side, Shares Nostalgia with Dharmendra

Veteran actress Zeenat Aman has once again taken to social media to share memories from her illustrious film career. Recently, she posted a clip featuring Dharmendra from the 1970s film Teesri Aankh, offering a candid reflection on the darker aspects of Bollywood and her own role in perpetuating them.

Sharing a Bold Scene from ‘Teesri Aankh’
In the shared clip, Zeenat’s character Barkha is seen teasing Dharmendra’s character Ashok in a playful yet aggressive manner. Commenting on the video, Zeenat wrote:
“Watching scenes from old films is always a unique and enjoyable experience. Sometimes you don’t know which scene will touch your heart or make you reflect.”

Comparing Roles Then and Now
Zeenat drew a comparison with recent Hindi cinema, noting:
*”A few weeks ago, you saw a clip from the film *Dostana* where Amitabh Bachchan’s Inspector Vijay teased me. Now, in this week’s Teesri Aankh scene, you see me teasing Dharmendra. Has the role of heroines in Hindi cinema changed so dramatically in just two years?”*

She elaborated on the scene, saying:
“Ashok is innocent and under pressure, while my character Barkha is lively and bold, following him aggressively while he reacts with discomfort and irritation. This contrast creates an interesting twist on traditional expectations.”

Reflections on the Industry’s Portrayal of Romance
Zeenat Aman also reflected on Bollywood’s approach to love and romance:
“I feel this scene flips traditional roles for humor and entertainment, but I couldn’t fully support Barkha’s approach—just as I couldn’t support Inspector Vijay’s perspective. Humor and mischief can be beautiful expressions of love, but our film industry sometimes exaggerates these to extremes.”

She candidly admitted:
“Many films portray passion and obsession instead of real love. I acknowledge that I, too, contributed to promoting this unrealistic notion of romance in India. This is my small attempt to clarify that consent and mutual respect are essential in relationships. Believe me, it was a hard lesson to learn.”

Fond Memories with Dharmendra
Zeenat concluded on a nostalgic note:
“I eagerly await your comments on this scene. Sharing it brings me immense joy, especially because it features my dear co-star Dharmendra, with whom I have only fond memories.”