Zeenat Aman was the second runner up in Miss India Contest in 1970. She went on to win the Miss Asia Pacific in 1971.
She joined in the Hindi Film Industry with her first movie O.P. Ralhan`s `Hulchul` in 1971.
Her first big break came with `Hare Rama Hare Krishna`, where she played Superstar Dev Anand`s Sister. This movie is famous for her portrayal of a Hippie and flower people of the 70`s in the west. Zeenat Aman, as Janice in the movie became a cult figure owing to R. D. Burman`s song `Dum Maro Dum`. She won the Filmfare Best Supporting Actress Award and BFJA Award for Best Actress for her role.
1970s saw more of the Dev-Zeenat pairing: `Heera Panna` in 1973, `Ishq Ishq Ishq` in 1974, `Prem Shastra` in 1974, `Warrant` in 1975, `Darling Darling` in 1977 and `Kalabaaz` in 1977.
In 1978, she starred in Raj Kapoor`s highly publicised `Satyam Shivam Sundaram`, however, the film was heavily criticized for her on screen exposure. However it is now distinguished as a work of art. She got a Filmfare nomination as Best Actress for this film.
Her Next big movie was `Don` opposite Amitabh Bachchan where she was appreciated for her oomph! Her performance as a rape victim seeking justice in B. R. Chopra`s `Insaaf Ka Tarazu` in 1980 for which she received a Filmfare Best Actress nomination. This film was followed by success in the love triangle `Qurbani`, `Ali Baba aur 40 Chor`, `Dostana` and `Lawaaris`.
She has had a rather stormy personal life. Her first husband was Sanjay Khan, whom she married in a secret ceremony, physically assaulted her in a public party so violently that she lost vision in one eye.
After separation with Sanjay Khan, she married Mazhar Khan and had two sons Azaan and Zahaan.