Asha Parekh. I have often wondered why she remained single all her life. She has been a very successful actress in her times. She acted with almost all the superstars like Rajesh Khanna, sharing his hits! Jeetendra with films like ‘Carawan’ & others.
She celebrated her 79th birthday on Saturday. She will be entering her 80s, when she revealed she had been in love with married man but was in no mood to be a ‘homewrecker’ & chose to live the life the way she did.
One of the highest paid film personalities, had made millions of hearts beat for her. The “Dil Dekho ” star matched with her co-star in this film Shammi Kapoor & for all of them in the next years. She had a significant role. Not an arm candy certainly.
“Kanyadaan’ with Shashi Kapoor, ‘Teesri Manzil’ with Shammi again or “Kati Patang’ with Rajesh Khanna she dazzled. With her signature white saree, ‘Na koi Umang hai, na koi tarang hai’ her sorrow is evident. Even Rajesh Khanna with ‘Dor koi khiche teri aur liye ja..’ doesn’t make her happy. She is a widow & maintains her distance.
Rarely has any actress been as sincere. She learnt dancing when she came to films. Watch today’s actresses, they come fully prepared. The ‘Parde mein rehne do..’ as a sleep walker or the pathos in ‘Do Badan’ with Manoj Kumar ‘Lo aa gayi unki yaad, woh nahi aaye..’
Her fun filled songs like ‘Acha toh hum chalte hai..’ or ‘Aa aa aa ja.. mai hu pyar tera..’ have beats that make you dance everytime you hear. Voice of Asha Bhosle suited her. ‘Mere Sanam’ has ‘Jaiye aap kahan jayenge ye nazar laut ke phir aayegi…’ The super hit songs made her films worth watching & listening was bliss!
In an interview she says ‘I would’ve never been able to take someone dictating terms to me- I was just not cut out for it’ Again she may believe but a relationship makes you change your views. Also don’t we see so many women dictating terms.. Not every husband is labelled – hen pecked.
Later she came very close to getting married to a professor in US. She says, ‘I was visiting him & we were in a cafe at 2 am. When he turned to me & nonchalantly said, “I have a girlfriend &you have come in the way.” God, how can someone be so harsh! Look at the time. If one is not serious, be clear about it. Right from the beginning why not be clear where we stand!
But I am happy it happened before tying the knot! I would say saved just in time!! Again why didn’t see any signs or didn’t he make things clear ..! The beauty, glamour & the fans & money really must make it difficult to make the right choice.
I salute her for taking a brave decision. Not every actress can have such a clear view about the morals. She led a tough life alone but had her two friends always. Waheeda Rehman & Helen. God bless.
Asian Entertainment 