She is the OG glam girl of Bollywood, setting trends and making headlines with films like Hare Rama Hare Krishna, Don and Qurbani in the 1970s and ’80s, and now Gen Z has woken up to Zeenat Aman’s charisma even as she gives them a run for their money on their home ground — Instagram. In a candid chat with The Telegraph Online, Zeenat Aman spoke about her social media approach, her understanding of self-care and what keeps her up at night with the same savvy that marks her engaging posts on Instagram where she has amassed a massive fan following.
Your social media posts feel refreshingly real, which has led Gen Z to connect with and look up to you. What encouraged you to be vulnerable on social media, a place where most people are busy filtering their own story?
Zeenat Aman: Thank you for saying that. While I have always been a private person, I have also been real about my views and who I am. There was no social media when I was younger, so my audience only saw me as the characters I portrayed or as the subject of filmi gossip in magazines.
Now I have a platform where I can directly connect with hundreds of thousands of people without any filter. So why would I add filters of my own? For the first time in my long life, I’m empowered to tell my own story, with the added confidence that age and experience bring. I have nothing to prove to anyone, and that’s the most liberating feeling of all.
Your social media looks like a peek into a personal diary. How do you get into the groove while writing the captions? Is the process similar to journaling for you?
Zeenat Aman: The more detailed captions are born from the conversations I have with my kids. No topic is taboo in our household and we have long chats about everything under the sun. So, whether I’m recounting experiences from my younger days or reflecting on more serious matters, they are my sounding board. I had a lot of trepidation before joining Instagram, and they’ve really encouraged me to be open about my journey while also patiently walking me through the app day after day!
The writing itself doesn’t take very long; maybe 15 to 20 minutes for each caption. I have a single document where I draft and edit my captions before uploading them. Let me tell you, it’s quite long now!
What does self-care mean to you? How do you practise self-care?
Zeenat Aman: Time for leisure and privacy. It’s as simple as that. I practise self-care by living my life with intention. The salves and lotions and perfumes and massages are lovely but superficial. Eating a relaxed meal with my family, sitting in the garden with my dog, focusing on my physiotherapy sessions, catching up with my friends, posting about the things that matter to me, expecting to be paid what I am worth… All these things are part of my self-care journey.
What are some of the thoughts that keep you up at night?
Zeenat Aman: Very honestly? Paperwork! As I get older and come to terms with my mortality, I want to ensure that I leave my modest estate in an orderly fashion for my two children. They mean the world to me, and I have seen too many of my friends struggle with the sundry paperwork that their parents left to them.
What is your message for Indian women, particularly those who are struggling to find their voice? Can you share something about your personal journey with self-expression?
Zeenat Aman: I’m not sure what my advice is worth, but here it is anyway. One, don’t make it your purpose in life to please everybody because that’s a recipe for disappointment that will also stifle your self-expression.
Two, hold people accountable but, more importantly, take accountability for yourself. Don’t hinge your self-worth and happiness on what others have achieved or what they possess. In short, stop the constant comparisons.
Third, cultivate your community — a person or a group of people with whom you can have honest conversations and who you can trust to be honest with you.
What are some new things that you are trying to learn? Any hobbies that you are trying to build?
Zeenat Aman: I’m trying to learn to exercise with discipline. I’ve decided that 2024 is going to be the year that I focus on my fitness. Though I’m diligent about most matters, I must admit I’ve been very lazy on this front. I want to feel strong and flexible again, so keep an eye on my feed. Hopefully, you’ll be able to see my transformation!
