Bollywood veteran Zeenat Aman on Monday shared an insight into a calming ritual she has developed over the years to beat pre-event jitters and anxiety prior to public appearances.
“Before every event or appearance I try to find a moment of calm as I get ready. One would think that 50 years of public life would inoculate you against butterflies and jitters, but that simply isn’t the case for me. So, I have turned getting ready into a meditative ritual,” wrote 72-year-old Zeenat in a long note on Instagram, sharing a picture of herself in a bathrobe.
Zeenat went on to describe the “ritual” that helps her transform from a “frumpy Z aunty” to "The Zeenat Aman”. “A hot shower, a fluffy robe, then the careful practice of laying out my jewellery and accessories. And finally, submitting to the skills of the hair and makeup artists. I start out as frumpy Z aunty and I emerge as The Zeenat Aman. This is a regular metamorphosis for all those of us who are in the business of fashion and entertainment,” she added.
The Bhopal Express actress also revealed that she does not travel with a large entourage, preferring instead the company of her son Zahaan, and occasionally her dog Cara, especially now that she feels the effects of age. “I do not travel with any entourage as such. Just Zahaan, and sometimes Cara. And that too only now that I am feeling my years. There is great comfort in having a loved one at hand when you are in an unfamiliar place,” read Zeenat’s caption.
The actress mentioned that the picture she has shared was captured by her son Zahaan before she attended the Shantanu & Nikhil couture show recently in Delhi.
The actress ended her post on a light-hearted note. Recalling how in her school days, she was taught that "good girls don’t show their knees", Zeenat noted the irony of displaying them on Instagram. “My own work timings are erratic, but to all you nine to fivers - I wish you a wonderful and productive week. It’s Monday. Go get ‘em. P.S: In school we were told that good girls don’t show their knees, so I feel quite cheeky displaying them on Instagram,” she concluded.
Actresses Shilpa Shetty Kundra, Bhagyashree, Saira Banu Khan and Manisha Koirala reacted to the post. “So real...much familiar routine and butterflies in the stomach despite decades of public life,” read Saira’s comment on Zeenat’s post, while Manisha wrote, “You are absolutely adorable.”
Actor Sidharth Malhotra also walked the ramp at the retro-themed event, where Hrithik Roshan’s girlfriend Saba Azad performed. Sharing a video from the show, Sidharth wrote, “Fun times. Bringing the 70s retro flair back.”
A video shared by the official Instagram handle of fashion label Shantanu & Nikhil features Zeenat looking gorgeous in a shimmery maroon tunic paired with black trousers.
Zeenat last appeared in Ashutosh Gowarikar’s 2019 epic war drama Panipat alongside Arjun Kapoor, Sanjay Dutt and Kriti Sanon. She will soon be seen in Faraz Arif Ansari’s upcoming directorial Bun Tikki, a Manish Malhotra production that also marks her onscreen reunion with Shabana Azmi after the 1982 crime drama Ashanti.