Veteran actor Zeenat Aman has once again struck a chord with fans through a heartfelt and introspective note on social media. At 74, the iconic star spoke candidly about her gratitude for “gainful employment” at this stage in her life and reflected on what she imagines her days might look like if work were to dry up.
Taking to Instagram on Thursday, Zeenat shared a series of photographs from her recent work travels. The images captured her on the move, balancing professional commitments with her signature elegance. Alongside the pictures, she penned a thoughtful caption that revealed both her appreciation for her current phase and her honest musings about aging and purpose.
“The week that was! May I just reiterate how grateful I am to be finding gainful employment at this age?” she wrote. While she acknowledged that she enjoyed her quieter years away from the spotlight, she admitted that she now relishes having engagements and goals to look forward to. For Zeenat, staying professionally active brings not only excitement but also a deep sense of fulfillment.
She elaborated on how much she enjoys setting small, achievable goals for herself. Whether it’s visiting a new city, considering a script, shooting an advertisement, or completing a workout, these bite-sized milestones give her week structure and meaning. “I love setting myself bite-sized goals that give each week a sense of purpose,” she shared, adding that earning an income also brings peace of mind. Her candid admission about valuing financial independence resonated strongly with followers across age groups.
However, the actor didn’t shy away from addressing a more vulnerable thought — what might happen if the work were to stop. “I sometimes wonder what I would do with my time if work were to dry up,” she wrote with characteristic honesty. Her self-deprecating humor shone through as she imagined herself “rotting in bed watching endless reels of babies and baby animals.” The remark, though playful, underscored a deeper concern about losing purpose and routine.
Zeenat explained that she began working at a very young age, which left her little time to cultivate hobbies during adulthood. Unlike many seniors who may explore new passions later in life, she feels that she never truly developed such interests. “I started working so early on that I didn’t have the opportunity to cultivate hobbies in my adult life,” she reflected. Now in her seventies, she admitted she doesn’t quite have the motivation to suddenly pick up the piano or learn baking from scratch.
Despite this, she ended her note on an inquisitive and hopeful note. She asked her followers whether they knew anyone who had discovered a hobby later in life and committed to it wholeheartedly. Inviting stories in the comments, she expressed a desire to feel inspired by others’ journeys. She also playfully asked fans to guess which city she had visited based on a sweet spread featured in one of her photos.
Zeenat Aman became a household name in the 1970s and 1980s, especially after winning the Miss Asia Pacific International pageant in 1970. She went on to redefine the image of the Hindi film heroine with bold and memorable performances in classics such as Satyam Shivam Sundaram, Don, Yaadon Ki Baraat, Hare Rama Hare Krishna, Qurbani, Dostana, and Dharam Veer.
Fans will soon see her on screen again in Bun Tikki, produced under Manish Malhotra’s banner Stage5 Productions and directed by Faraz Arif Ansari. The film also stars Shabana Azmi and Abhay Deol in pivotal roles.
Through her reflective note, Zeenat Aman has once again demonstrated why she remains not just a cinematic icon, but also a voice of authenticity and grace.