Zeenat Aman raises concerns about her biopic narrated by strangers: ‘I am neither a seductress, nor a damsel in distress’ – Times of India

Veteran actress Zeenat Aman has spoken out about her reservations regarding the idea of a biopic being made about her life. In a candid statement, she expressed that any biopic made without her involvement would be incomplete and possibly flawed.
Known for her iconic roles and status as a sex symbol in Indian cinema, Zeenat said that while there may be facts about her in the public domain, there are countless personal details known only to her that are essential to understanding her journey.
“You may dismiss this as the ranting of an old lady, but in my opinion, it would be foolish to make a biopic about me without actually involving me. Quite frankly, nobody knows me like I do – so any research to this end would be incomplete, even flawed, without my input. I’d wager that for every factoid about me that’s available in the public domain, there are a hundred more that are known just to me. There are a trove of milestones, anecdotes and personal revelations that are integral to understanding my journey. Oh, it’s been an interesting life indeed,” she wrote on Instagram.

Addressing the potential portrayal of her character, Zeenat clarified that she is neither a seductress nor a victim, and she refuses to be boxed into such stereotypes. Despite her reservations, she mentioned being open to the idea of a series or film about her life, provided it is handled sensitively and with respect.

“I will also make no bones about the fact that I’m wary of my story being told by strangers. Especially men. The “sex symbol” tag is impossible to shake (believe me, it’s been 50 years) and in the hands of the wrong storyteller may well devolve into a work of crass voyeurism and conjecture. I’m only too aware of the stereotyping of “bold women”. I am neither a seductress, nor a damsel in distress. And I am certainly not a victim. There have been conversations about a potential series or films, and I’m slowly warming to the idea,” she added.

In conclusion, Zeenat emphasized the need for a sensitive director, a brave writer, an exceptional cast, and a producer willing to invest in her story. Whether or not a biopic about her will come to fruition remains uncertain, but she made it clear that it would require the right team and approach.