Asha Parekh

From Bharatpedia, an open encyclopedia


Asha Parekh
Asha Parekh at Saudamini Mattu's wedding reception (cropped).jpg
Parekh in 2018
Born (1942-10-02) 2 October 1942 (age 81)[1]
NationalityIndian
Occupation
  • Actress
  • director
  • producer
Years active1952–1995
Awards
HonoursPadma Shri (1992)

Asha Parekh (born 2 October 1942) is an Indian film actress, director, and producer who appeared in many commercially successful films throughout her career. She was the highest paid actress of her time and was one of the most successful actresses of the 1960s and 1970s.[2][3] She is considered one of the most influential actresses of all time in Hindi cinema.[4] In 1992, she was honoured with the Padma Shri by the Government of India for her contribution to the field of cinema.

Early life[edit]

Asha Parekh is a Gujarati[5] born on 2 October 1942.[1] Her mother, Sudha aka Salma Parekh, was a Bohra Muslim and her father, Bachubhai Parekh, was Hindu Gujarati.[6][7][8][9][10] Her mother enrolled her in Indian classical dance classes at an early age and she learned from many teachers, including Pandit Bansilal Bharati.

Career[edit]

Parekh started her career as a child artist under the screen name Baby Asha Parekh. Famed film director Bimal Roy saw her dance at a stage function and cast her at the age of ten in Maa (1952) and then repeated her in Baap Beti (1954).[11] The latter film's failure disappointed her, and even though she did a few more child roles, she quit to resume her schooling.[12] At sixteen she decided to try acting again, and to make her debut as a heroine, but she was rejected from Vijay Bhatt's Goonj Uthi Shehnai (1959) in favour of actress Ameeta, because the filmmaker claimed she was not star material. Precisely eight days later, film producer Subodh Mukherjee and writer-director Nasir Hussain cast her as the heroine in Dil Deke Dekho (1959), opposite Shammi Kapoor, which made her a huge star.[13]

It also started a long association with Hussain who cast her as his heroine in six more films: Jab Pyar Kisi Se Hota Hai (1961), Phir Wohi Dil Laya Hoon (1963), Teesri Manzil (1966), Baharon Ke Sapne (1967), Pyar Ka Mausam (1969), and Caravan (1971). She also did a cameo in Nasir Hussain's film Manzil Manzil (1984) with whom she had earlier done 6 films. Hussain also got her involved in distribution of 21 films, starting with Baharon Ke Sapne (1967).[14] Parekh was primarily known as a glamour girl/excellent dancer/tomboy in most of her films, until director Raj Khosla gave her a serious image by casting her in tragedienne roles in three of her favourite films; Do Badan (1966), Chirag (1969) and Main Tulsi Tere Aangan Ki (1978). Director Shakti Samanta gave her more dramatic roles in her other favourite films, Pagla Kahin Ka (1970) and Kati Patang (1970); the latter earned her the Filmfare Award for Best Actress.

Many important directors repeatedly cast her in several of their films, including Vijay Anand and Mohan Segal. Parekh acted in her mother tongue by starring in three Gujarati films at the height of her fame in Hindi films, the first being Akhand Saubhagyavati (1963), which became a huge hit.[15] She also acted in some Punjabi films, such as Kankan De Ohle (1971) opposite Dharmendra and Lambhardarni (1976) with Dara Singh, as well as the hit Kannada film Sharavegada Saradara (1989).[16]

After her days as a leading lady ended, Parekh took on supporting roles as bhabhi (sister-in-law) and mother, but she called this the "awkward phase" of her career. So she stopped acting in films, and her friends recommended that she become a television director. She took their advice and became a television director in the early 1990s with the Gujarati serial Jyoti. She formed a production company, Akruti, and produced serials like Palash ke Phool, Baaje Payal, Kora Kagaz and a comedy, Dal Mein Kaala. She was the president of the Cine Artistes' Association from 1994 to 2000. Parekh was the first female chairperson of the Central Board of Film Certification (Censor Board) of India. She held the post from 1998 to 2001 for which she received no salary, but plenty of controversy for censoring films and for not giving clearance to Shekhar Kapur's Elizabeth. Later, she became the treasurer of the Cine and Television Artists Association (CINTAA) and was later elected as one of its office-bearers.[17]

Asha stopped acting in 1995 to pursue directing and producing television serials. Parekh received the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award in 2002.[18] She has continued to receive other Lifetime Achievement Awards: the Kalakar Award in 2004;[19] the International Indian Film Academy Awards in 2006;[20] the Pune International Film Festival Award in 2007;[21] and the Ninth Annual Bollywood Award in Long Island, New York in 2007.[22] She received the Living Legend Award from the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI).[23]

In 2008, she was a judge on the reality show Tyohaar Dhamaaka on the Indian entertainment channel 9X.[24] In 2017, her autobiography (co-written by Khalid Mohammed) titled "The Hit Girl" was released.[25]

Personal life[edit]

Parekh celebrating her 70th Birthday with Sushmita Sen and Aruna Irani

Parekh has remained unmarried, claiming that her reputation of being unapproachable made people hesitate in asking for her hand in marriage. In her memoir "The Hit Girl", she confirmed rumours[26][27] that she was romantically involved with director Nasir Hussain who was already married, but out of respect for both their families, she couldn't marry him.[28] Previously, Parekh would only state that she had a longtime boyfriend but declined to elaborate on the relationship, only stating that "it was nice while it lasted."[29] She said she had not seen Nasir Hussain during the last year of his life, as he became reclusive because of his wife's death,[30] but she did speak to him the day before he died in 2002.[31] She almost married an Indian professor living in America, but he didn't want to give up his girlfriend, so she called off their wedding plans. She had also tried to adopt a child, but he had birth defects, and the doctors refused to let her adopt him.[32]

Today, Parekh concentrates on her dance academy Kara Bhavan and the Asha Parekh Hospital in Santa Cruz, Mumbai, named in her honour because of her many humanitarian contributions.[8][33]

Filmography[edit]

Philanthropy[edit]

Parekh has opened a hospital for those in need, called "Bcj Hospital And Asha Parekh Research Centre."[35] She has stated that the hospital had been closed and reopened various times.[36]

Awards and nominations[edit]

  1. Gujarat State Award for Best Actress for Akhand Saubhagyavati (1963)[37]
  2. Filmfare Award Nomination as Best Actress for Chirag (1969)
  3. Filmfare Best Actress Award for Kati Patang (1971)
  4. Filmfare Award Nomination as Best Supporting Actress for Udhar Ka Sindur (1976)
  5. Filmfare Award Nomination as Best Supporting Actress for Main Tulsi Tere Aangan Ki (1978)
  6. Padma Shri awarded in the Arts (1992)[38][39]
  7. Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award (2002)
  8. Indian Motion Picture Producers' Association (IMPPA) felicitated Parekh for her outstanding contribution to the Indian film industry (2003)
  9. Kalakar Awards – Lifetime Achievement Award (2004)
  10. International Indian Film Academy Awards for outstanding achievement in Indian cinema (2006)
  11. Saptarang Ke Saptashee Award (2006)[40]
  12. Gujarati Association of North America (GANA)'s First International Gujarati Convention—Lifetime Achievement Award (2006)[41]
  13. Pune International Film Festival—Lifetime Achievement Award (2007)
  14. Bollywood Award—Lifetime Achievement Award (2007)
  15. Living Legend Award from the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI).[23]
  16. Film Federation of India honoured Parekh at its Golden Jubilee celebration ceremony (2008)[42]
  17. Sahyadri Navratna Award given to Parekh for being a "woman of substance" (2008)[43]
  18. Solitaire for Life Award from the ABN Amro Solitaire Design Awards show (2008)[44]
  19. Nashik International Film Festival—Lifetime Achievement Award (2009)[45]
  20. 'Lachchu Mahraj Puraskar' Award for Parekh's contribution to dance and acting (2009)[46]
  21. 40th International Film Festival of India felicitated Parekh for completing 50 years in Hindi cinema (2009)[47]
  22. 'Legends Live Forever Award' from the Immortal Memories Event (2009)[48]
  23. Golden Laurel Award—Ninth Gr8 Women Achievers Awards (2010)[49]
  24. Prakarti Ratan Award (2010)[50]
  25. Jaipur International Film Festival—Lifetime Achievement Award (2011)[51]
  26. Bhishma Award by the Ashram Arts Academy (2012)[52]
  27. Kalakar Awards – Living Legend Award (2018)
  28. "Walk of the Stars" honour, where a tile bears her handprint (2013)[53]
  29. Stardust-Lifetime Achievement Award (2015)[54]
  30. Most Stylish Lifetime Style Icon Award—Hindustan Times Most Stylish Awards (2017)[55]
  31. Second Best Book Award for her memoir "The Hit Girl" at the 5th annual Pune International Literary Festival (PILF)(2017)[56]
  32. Bimal Roy Memorial Lifetime Achievement Award (2019)[57]
  33. Global Cinema Festival-Lifetime Achievement Award (2020)[58]

References[edit]

  1. 1.0 1.1 Jha, Subhash K. (3 October 2017). ""I don't feel 75 at all" – Asha Parekh". Bollywood Hungama. Retrieved 24 February 2018.
  2. "O Haseena Zulfo Waali Jaane Jahan! On 77th Birthday, A Look at What Asha Parekh Gave To Cinema". indiatimes.com. 2 October 2019. Retrieved 2 October 2019.
  3. Bhawana Somaaya. "Screen The Business Of Entertainment-Films-Happenigs". Screenindia.com. Archived from the original on 9 February 2011. Retrieved 27 October 2008.
  4. Tribune.com.pk (8 December 2013). "Still waiting to work with Dilip Kumar: Asha Parekh". The Express Tribune. Retrieved 17 June 2019.
  5. Khan, Saeed (6 May 2012). "Gujarat woman gave censor the scissors". The Times of India. Ahmedabad. Retrieved 24 February 2018.
  6. "I was enamoured by Nasir saab - Asha Parekh". Filmfare. Retrieved 24 February 2018.
  7. "Asha Parekh – Memories". Cineplot.com. 28 March 2011. Retrieved 11 September 2011.
  8. 8.0 8.1 "Asha ParekhSpirituality – Indiatimes". Spirituality.indiatimes.com. Archived from the original on 11 June 2008. Retrieved 27 October 2008.
  9. "I AM: Asha Parekh". The Times Of India. 14 October 2010.
  10. "There's a lot to me than just a glamourous actress, says Asha Parekh at PILF". Hindustan Times. 10 September 2017. Retrieved 27 March 2020.
  11. Parekh, Asha and Mohammed, Khalid. The Hit Girl. New Delhi: Om Books International (2017), p. 49
  12. "The Hindu : Poise and pearly smiles". Hinduonnet.com. Retrieved 27 October 2008.
  13. "Interview". Thirtymm.com. Archived from the original on 29 September 2011. Retrieved 11 September 2011.
  14. Kumar, Anuj (19 December 2013). "Jubilee queen, once more". The Hindu. Chennai, India.
  15. "Indiantelevision.com > Box Populi by Subhash K Jha > 'Sa Re Ga Ma' still challenges new kids on the block". Indiantelevision.com. Retrieved 27 October 2008.
  16. "Spice". Screenindia.com. Archived from the original on 13 May 2009. Retrieved 27 March 2011.
  17. "Asha Parekh wins CINTAA elections". News.webindia123.com. Retrieved 27 October 2008.
  18. "Filmfare – Print Edition". Downloads.movies.indiatimes.com. Archived from the original on 11 January 2009. Retrieved 27 October 2008.
  19. "Kalakar Awards". 20 February 2008. Archived from the original on 20 February 2008. Retrieved 11 September 2011.
  20. APA Staff. "Asia Pacific Arts: 8 June 2006: News From Abroad". Asiaarts.ucla.edu. Archived from the original on 7 August 2007. Retrieved 27 October 2008.
  21. "Article which contains a picture of her receiving the award alongside her former leading man Dharmendra, who also received his own Lifetime Achievement Award". Archived from the original on 10 October 2007. Retrieved 8 April 2007.
  22. "Yahoo! News Photos". News.yahoo.com. Retrieved 27 October 2008.
  23. 23.0 23.1 "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 18 September 2005. Retrieved 6 August 2007.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  24. "I had lost interest in TV". Screenindia.com. 17 October 2008. Archived from the original on 19 October 2008. Retrieved 27 March 2011.
  25. Apoorva Nijhara (17 March 2017). "Asha Parekh's autobiography titled The Hit Girl's cover speaks of her charm". Retrieved 4 March 2018.
  26. https://www.webcitation.org/query?url=http://www.geocities.com/fareeha7/intthr3.html&date=2009-10-25+22:03:38 Sadhana (actress) referred to a relationship between Asha and Nasir Hussain, but also acknowledged that she did not know the extent of their relationship]
  27. "Lucky strike: Asha Parekh". filmfare.com.
  28. Parekh, Asha and Mohammed, Khalid. The Hit Girl. New Delhi: Om Books International (2017), p. 214-217
  29. "Asha Parekh: "No hero made passes at me… My male co-stars were intimidated by me!"- Interviews-News & Gossip-Indiatimes – Movies". Movies.indiatimes.com. Archived from the original on 13 January 2009. Retrieved 27 October 2008.
  30. "March 2002 indiavarta.com – Startrek". Archived from the original on 18 June 2008. Retrieved 25 December 2019.
  31. "Express India". Cities.expressindia.com. Archived from the original on 16 June 2013. Retrieved 27 March 2011.
  32. "Asha Parekh Talks About Her Journey As A Never-Married 77-Year-Old". Verve Magazine. 26 November 2019. Retrieved 6 December 2019.
  33. "Felt miserable, had suicidal thoughts: Asha Parekh on her most successful time". Hindustan Times. 6 April 2017.
  34. "Rediff on the NeT, Movies: Sar Aankhon Par review". www.rediff.com.
  35. "National Health Portal".
  36. "In loss, Asha Parekh Hospital pulls the plug". DNA India. 25 March 2018. Retrieved 17 June 2019.
  37. Parekh, Asha and Mohammed, Khalid. The Hit Girl. New Delhi: Om Books International (2017), p.150
  38. "Search Awardees – Padma Awards – My India, My Pride – Know India: National Portal of India". India.gov.in. Retrieved 27 March 2011.
  39. "Asha Parekh: Recall value". Deccan Herald. India. 20 June 2009. Retrieved 27 March 2011.
  40. "Bollywood | Veteran Stars | Felicitation | Saptarang Ke Saptashee". Entertainment.oneindia.in. Archived from the original on 8 July 2012. Retrieved 27 October 2008.
  41. "by_emR3 SaVSaK.CoMIndia4u News Online". India4u.com. 13 July 2006. Archived from the original on 13 July 2011. Retrieved 27 March 2011.
  42. "FFI Golden Jubilee Celebration". Archived from the original on 5 February 2008. Retrieved 27 March 2011.
  43. "Asha Parekh receives Sahyadri Navratna Award". Sify.com. 27 April 2008. Archived from the original on 14 July 2012. Retrieved 27 March 2011.
  44. "@ NewKerala.Com News, India". Newkerala.com. Retrieved 27 October 2008.
  45. "NASHIK INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL - Dadasaheb Phalke Home Town Awards". Archived from the original on 19 October 2009.
  46. "Asha Parekh honoured with Lachchu Mahraj award". Deccan Herald. India. 2 September 2009. Retrieved 27 March 2011.
  47. Ramachandran, Naman (24 November 2009). "'Wheat' opens India film festival". Variety.
  48. "Events – Immortal Memories – An Award Nite". IndiaGlitz. 26 December 2009. Retrieved 27 March 2011.
  49. "Aishwarya Rai Bachchan at the Ninth GR8 Women Achievers Awards 2010 – Photos". Zorsebol.com. Archived from the original on 18 July 2011. Retrieved 27 March 2011.
  50. "Asha Parekh, Entertainment Photo, Veteran actress Asha Parekh, w". Timescontent.com. 30 July 2010. Retrieved 27 March 2011.
  51. "> All About Cinema...> Red Alert bags 2 awards, Asha Parekh gets Lifetime at Jaipur film fest". Indiantelevision.com. 3 February 2011. Retrieved 27 March 2011.
  52. Anupama Subramanian (20 January 2012). "No more awards in my name, says Rajinikanth". Deccan Chronicle. Archived from the original on 22 January 2012. Retrieved 4 March 2012.
  53. "Asha Parekh honoured with a star". The Indian Express. Retrieved 20 January 2019.
  54. Subhash K. Jha (18 January 2015). "Hopefully this is not my last award: Asha Parekh". Deccan Chronicle. Retrieved 20 January 2019.
  55. Ram Iyer (25 March 2017). "HT Most Stylish awards: Of Bollywood's best blacks, blues, bandhgalas and more". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 20 January 2019.
  56. Prachi Bari (10 September 2017). "There's a lot to me than just a glamourous actress, says Asha Parekh at PILF". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 20 January 2019.
  57. Yogesh Pawar (13 January 2019). "My biggest regret is turning down Satyajit Ray: Asha Parekh". DNA. Retrieved 20 January 2019.
  58. "Yesteryear actor Asha Parekh to be honoured at Global Cinema Festival in Sikkim". United News India. 18 January 2020. Retrieved 20 January 2020.

Further reading[edit]

External links[edit]

Template:FilmfareBestActressAward

Information red.svg
Scan the QR code to donate via UPI
Dear reader, We kindly request your support in maintaining the independence of Bharatpedia. As a non-profit organization, we rely heavily on small donations to sustain our operations and provide free access to reliable information to the world. We would greatly appreciate it if you could take a moment to consider donating to our cause, as it would greatly aid us in our mission. Your contribution would demonstrate the importance of reliable and trustworthy knowledge to you and the world. Thank you.

Please select an option below or scan the QR code to donate
₹150 ₹500 ₹1,000 ₹2,000 ₹5,000 ₹10,000 Other