Ever Graceful, Asha Parekh Turns 72

Yesteryear star Asha Parekh, who etched an indelible mark on people's minds and hearts with her role in films like Kati Patang, Teesri Manzil and Love In Tokyo, turns 72 today.

Ashaji seems content to stay away from the arc-lights but that has not stopped her from keeping in touch with her pals from the industry and she is a regular on Bollywood's social circuit. She was last spotted with Vidya Balan at the special screening of the film Haider in Mumbai last month.

We take a look at the life of this ethereal beauty who still exudes grace and elegance.

Asha Parekh was one of the reigning stars in the Hindi film industry from 1959 to 1973 and is said to have starred in more hit films than any other actress. She was born into a Gujarati family in Maharashtra and began her career as a child artiste under the screen name Baby Asha Parekh in the film Aasmaan in 1952. Acclaimed filmmaker Bimal Roy saw her performance during a stage show and cast her in the movie Baap Beti (1954) when she was just 12 years old. The film was a flop and Ashaji decided to take a break from the silver screen to resume schooling.

At the age of 16, Asha Parekh decided to try her luck with acting again in the film Goonj Uthi Shehnai (1959) but was rejected because the filmmaker said she was not star material!

The very next day, writer-director Nasir Hussain cast Asha Parekh as the lead actress in Dil Deke Dekho (1959), opposite Shammi Kapoor, which launched her into stardom.

Dil Deke Dekho began Asha Parekh's long association with Nasir Hussain and he cast her in six more films including Teesri Manzil (1966), Baharon Ke Sapne (1967) and Caravan (1971).

Asha Parekh's eyes were feted and admired. They spoke volumes, better than dialogues ever could.

She was known to experiment with her look and sported a different hairstyle in every movie from a bob to a bee hive..

It was Raj Khosla who changed her image by casting her in serious roles in the movies Do Badan (1966), Chirag (1969), and Main Tulsi Tere Aangan Ki (1978).

Asha Parekh earned praise for her roles in Pagla Kahin Ka and Kati Patang, both of which paired her with Rajesh Khanna.

Kati Patang was a landmark film in her career, fetching her the Filmfare Best Actress Award.

Her performance as the bubbly girl-next-door in the peppy song Sayonara from one of her biggest hits Love In Tokyo will forever be etched in our memories.

Asha Parekh was the favourite of noted directors like Vijay Anand, Mohan Segal and J P Dutta. She also acted in some Gujarati films, the first being Akhand Saubhagyavati (1963), which became a huge hit. She has also appeared in a few Punjabi films and one Kannada film. As her leading lady career wound down, she played the bhabhi and mother in a few films but was not entirely satisfied with these roles.

She subsequently stopped acting in films and her friends recommended that she become a television director. What followed was her first Gujarati serial Jyoti. Ashaji now has a production company by the name of Akruti and has produced serials like Palash ke Phool, Baaje Payal, Kora Kagaz and a comedy Dal Mein Kaala.

Asha Parekh was the president of the Cine Artistes' Association from 1994 to 2000. She was also the first female chairperson of the Censor Board from 1998-2001 and, during her stint, generated controversy for censoring films and not giving clearance to Shekhar Kapur's Elizabeth.

She sealed her awards haul with the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award in 2002.

Asha Parekh never got married stating that her reputation of being "unapproachable" made people hesitate to befriend her. According to reports, she confessed to a longtime affair but declined to elaborate on the relationship.

Today, she concentrates on her dance academy Kara Bhavan.

Ashaji was honoured with the Icon of Indian Cinema Award at the fifth edition of Jagran Film Festival in Mumbai last month. We wish Ashaji a very happy birthday.