Zeenat Aman Recalls Playing A Sex Worker with A Sense of Dignity in Manoranjan; Read Now 

Zeenat Aman about Manoranjan

Zeenat Aman has been one of the most versatile actresses in the Bollywood industry. The actress has now started a new trend on her Instagram profile of sharing trivia and her memories about the old films.

Today, Zeenat Aman shared her views and some unknown facts about Shammi Kapoor's Manoranjan (1974), which was a remake of Billy Wilder's Hollywood flick Irma La Douce (1974). The actress played a sex worker in the film, which wasn't an easy thing back in the 70s. To know what it meant and how she did it, read her post below:

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If I’ve had a steady companion through my career, it’s been the moral police. And, my goodness, did they have a field day with this one!

Manoranjan defied existing conventions. It was an adaptation of the fabulous 1963 American comedy ‘Irma Le Douce’, and it featured me in the starring role of Nisha. A sex worker with a sense of dignity, independence and humour.

Filming Manoranjan was a ‘haste-haste, khelte-khelte’ affair. It was Shammi Kapoor’s directorial debut, had RD Burman in the role of music director, and Sanjeev Kumar as the leading man. The producer FC Mehra was a family friend. We shot the film entirely in studios in Mumbai, and it released in 1974.

Nisha was no damsel in distress! Her outfits were flirtatious and sexy, but more importantly, she was unapologetic about how she earns a living. This was a character that I could have fun with: sexually liberated, financially independent, and fully capable of locking horns with, and turning down, any man.

I’ve always maintained that I am a ‘director’s actor’, and I do believe Shammi ji coaxed out one of my better performances with this film. The music and costumes were also a hoot. In ‘aaya hoon main tujh ko le jaoonga’ we dance upon gigantic musical instruments, ‘chori chori solah singar’ (sung by Asha ji) has a titillating shower sequence, and ‘dulhan maike chali’ is pictured entirely in a police van full of sex workers being taken to the police station and was sung by all three Mangeshkar sisters! If you’re interested, you can watch these on YouTube.

The 70s were a wonderful time to be alive! Despite the moral police (they’re always around) the atmosphere of experimentation, freedom and fashion was unmatchable!

I wonder if some of my older followers remember this film? I’d love to hear your memories of watching it or any discussion it may have provoked.