During her film career, she was a beautiful woman. Parekh had worked in over 85 films. She is a Padmashree and Dada Saheb Phalke award winner.
Asha Parekh was born on 2nd October 1942. Her mother was a Muslim, and her father was a Gujarati. Her mother enrolled her in an Indian classical dance school. Asha Parekh started her career as a child artiste in the film Maa (1952), introduced by Bimal Roy, who saw her dance in a stage function and was impressed with her. The next film was Baap Beti, directed by Bimal Roy (1954). As a child artiste, she was a failure.
But in 1959, she was cast opposite Shammi Kapoor in Dil Deke Dekho. It made Asha Parekh a star, a beautiful star. She went on to become a big star. Her films included Jab Pyar Kisi Se Hota Hai, Teesri Manzil, Baharon Ke Sapne (1967), Pyar Ka Mausam (1969), and Caravan (1971). Asha Parekh was primarily a glamour girl until Raj Khosla gave her a tragic role in the film Do Badan in 1966. Chirag (1969) and Main Tulsi Tere Aangan Ki (1978) are two of her best films. Some other notable films include Kati Patang with Rajesh Khanna (1970). She also played a supporting role in Udhar Ka Sindoor (1976).
Many big directors repeatedly cast her in significant roles. Vijay Anand also considered her an outstanding actress. Asha Parekh acted in three Gujarati films. She also appeared in Punjabi films with Dharmendra and Dara Singh. Asha Parekh formed popular pairings with Dev Anand, Shammi Kapoor, and Rajesh Khanna. She was the first female chairperson of CBFC (Central Board of Film Certification) from 1998 to 2001.
Asha Parekh remained a lifelong bachelor. This is the irony of life. Life is not complete for any individual. It is said that Asha Parekh was unapproachable, and probably, that was the reason for her not marrying. In human life, when something is gained, something is lost.
Asha Parekh is regarded as a successful star, a beautiful star. From an early age, she was paired with Dev Anand, Shammi Kapoor, and others. In the film Meri Soorat Teri Aankhen, who can forget the song with Ashok Kumar:
“Tere bin sooni
Nayan hamare
Raat jo aaye
Pyaasi dhal jaye.”
The Statesman reported that Parekh earned the epithet of “Jubilee Girl” with her string of hits in the golden era of the Hindi film industry. The Indian Express noted that Parekh was associated with adjectives like effervescent, fashionista, cheerful, dancer, and glamour girl.
Asha Parekh was a beautiful star. In her prime, she was beautiful for every beholder, for every cine-goer. It is said that if you continuously look at a beautiful woman, your lifetime increases. That means you will live longer. That’s why we seek beautiful women to marry. But unfortunately, despite being beautiful and charming, Asha Parekh could not marry.
Duniya banane wale, kya tere man mein samayi…
(The views expressed are the writer’s own.)
Radhakanta Seth is a Former Income tax officer in Sambalpur. He is a Freelance writer and his articles have been published in some Oriya dailies like Sambad, Samaj, Dharitri and English dailies like The Telegraph and in a sociological journal ‘Folklore’ published from Kolkata.
(Photo has collected from net )