Asha Parekh

Asha Parekh, born in a middle class Gujarati family on the 2nd of October 1942 in Bangalore, India was meant to be a star one day. Witnessing the adorable's feet in the cradle itself, Asha's mother enrolled the beauty into classical dance training at a young age, under the guidance of the ace classical performer Pandit Bansilal Bharati.

Gaining much of her expertise in dancing, Asha commenced her acting career as a child artist in the 1952 released 'Aasman'. Initially getting a fluke into the industry, Asha received a desired platform, when the ace director Bimal Roy saw her perform at a function, immediately signing up then 12-year old beauty in his film 'Baap Beti' released in 1954. Disappointed by the film's failure, Asha continued as a child actor in few other films, but lately quit the stream to resume her curricular.

With a hope to succeed this time, Asha rose back into the industry at the age of 16 years with a vision to become a full fledged actress. Digesting rejection at her very first audition for Vijay Bhatt's 'Goonj Uthi Shehnai', Asha was shown the door out with a petty reason of not being meant for the industry. But, it seems that the rejection paid off for the beauty, as she got signed up for 'Dil Deke Dekho' opposite then heartthrob Shammi Kapoor by the writer-director Nasir Hussain. Her 1959 debutorial release became a huge success and soon Asha climbed the seventh sky of prosperity.

Becoming an overnight star, Asha soon retained to be 'The Asha Parekh' with a huge long list of successful films filling her portfolio. Nailing down her magic in films like 'Ghunghat' (1960), 'Jab Pyar Kisi Se Hota Hai', 'Chhaya', 'Phir Wohi Dil Laya Hoon', 'Bharosa', 'Ziddi', 'Teesri Manzil', 'Love In Tokyo', 'Upkar', 'Shikar', 'Mahal', 'Chirag', 'Aya Sawan Jhoom Ke' and 'Naya Raasta', few from the rest, Asha cherished real joy in year 1970. The year marked yet another treat 'Kati Patang' being delivered from the beauty. The film became an instant hit and thus, gathered high amount of success. Merely, it also grabbed the actress her first Filmfare Award for Best Actress.

Nurtured by the glory, Asha Parekh continued delivering her marvels on screen with the flicks like 'Bhai Bhai', 'Mera Gaon Mera Desh', 'Caravan', 'Nadaan', 'Rani Aur Lalpari', 'Prem Vivah', 'Bin Phere Hum Tere', 'Car Thief', 'Hathyar' and so on.

Being in the industry for so long, being beautiful and successful, the starlet never enjoyed the happiness of getting married and commencing her own family. Though she never got linked to any of her co-stars, Parekh was allegedly rumored to be dating her married mentor director, Nasir Hussain. Their love bloomed in the time period, when Nasir casted the beauty in six other films and that too resulting a success parameter in her career.

Now getting away from her heydays, more matured by the age, Asha stepped in to enact few supporting roles, that of a bhabhi or a mother. Handling the portrayal for quite long in films like 'Bhagyawan', 'Ghar Ki Izzat' and 'Andolan', Parekh felt to be placed in not so good framed thus, resulted announcing her retirement from films.

Post her retirement, the conventional beauty remained to be a part of the industry, now on the small screen, directing her first Gujarati serial 'Jyoti' in early 90's. Apart from holding the directorial lever, the talent house stepped ahead and ventured herself into production with her banner 'Akruti' that went on to produce television series. After blooming few series like 'Palash Ke Phool', 'Baaje Payal', 'Kora Kagaz' and 'Daal Mein Kala' on her production platter, Asha received the prestigious 'Padma Shri' award in 1992 for her immense contribution in the art of films.

Parekh enriched her seniority further as a President for Cine and Television Artists Association (CINTAA) for a time frame from 1994 to year 2000. Besides her retirement from the Presidentship, the veteran continued to contribute her expertise as the first female chairperson on the Central Board of Film Certification (Censor Board) of India from year 1998 to 2001. Though the actress didn't charge for her well being, her journey as a chairperson on the Censor Board remained quite controversial, being too strict regards to film certification.

Enjoying a voluntary retirement from films and television, still single Asha Parekh remains active on the social platform through her dance academy 'Kara Bhavan' and 'Asha Parekh Hospital' in Santacruz, Mumbai.