DISCLAIMER: This article contains references to abuse.Actors Sanjay Khan and Zeenat Aman they were together briefly in the 1970s, and their secret affair and marriage was the hot topic at the time. Naseem Mukri, daughter of actor Mohammed Umar Mukri, recently spoke about the affair between the two icons and their collaboration in ‘Abdullah.Read on to learn more about what she had to share.
Naseem Mukri talks about Sanjay Khan and Zeenat Aman
Naseem Mukri recently spoke about the golden days of Bollywood and how his father was one of the pioneering faces of the era. From his father’s cordial bond with Amitabh Bachchan and Mehmood to his work in the film industry, he touched on various subjects. He also talked about the film ‘Abdullah’ which was a topic of discussion then thanks to the collaboration of Zeenat Aman and Sanjay Khan.During a conversation with Vickey Lalwani, he revealed that an Iranian director had come to India in search of a cast, and his father played a major role in helping Sanjay Khan land the role opposite Zeenat Aman. He shared that when his father met with the foreign director, he had some requirements for the cast. He added: “That man said, ‘I want an Indian hero, but the hero should not look Indian’, because he is from this region, so he should look like that.”“She added, ‘He (her father, Mukri) said, ‘woh ek hi hai mere paas Sanjay’, toh daddy Sanjay ko uske paas le gaye, and got him the film with Zeenat” (the father took him to that Iranian boy and secured him the film along with Zeenat).Talking about their relationship, Mukri revealed that Zeenat and Sanjay’s affair started while they were filming ‘Abdullah’. When asked about the alleged abuse, Mukri commented that it was a horrible affair and that their relationship ended soon after. At that time, it was revealed that during their stay at a popular hotel in Mumbai, Sanjay Khan had injured Zeenat Aman to the extent that she had to be hospitalised. He commented that the ‘Qurbani’ actress was hospitalized then and was very hurt by what had happened to her. “He was in pain for so many years and in bed because of this injury,” added Mukri; however, he was not fully aware of the situation at the time, nor had he tried to find out more about what happened from either Zeenat or Sanjay Khan. Naseem Mukri added, “I don’t get into people’s business… why should I main kyon inse puchhun?” (Who am I to ask them that.)
About the case of Zeenat Aman and Sanjay Khan
In the 1970s, Zeenat Aman and Sanjay Khan had an affair, and after a while they both decided to get married. However, their union was quite short. After an alleged altercation in a hotel room, the two officially broke up. When his affair began, he was already married to Zarine Khan and they had three daughters, with another baby on the way.However, the claims have been debunked over the years. Earlier this year, while talking to Vickey Lalwani in another interview, Sanjay Khan’s daughter Farah Khan Ali termed the whole hotel altercation issue as “evil”. She added: “My father has never laid a hand on my mother or any of her daughters, and he is not a violent man to lay a finger on a woman.”At the time, she also recounted how her mother, Zarine Khan, used to blame both Zeenat and her father for their actions. He added: “She said your father was attracted to her, so I don’t just blame her; I blame her. There was an attraction on both sides; maybe there was something wrong with their marriage at the time it happened, or maybe it just happened.”Sanjay Khan and Zarine Khan remained together even after the affair, until she passed away early last year.DISCLAIMER: If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, assault or abuse, please seek immediate help. Contact a mental health specialist, an NGO or someone you trust. Several helplines are available to provide assistance.