ASHA PAREKH

Asha Parekh was born on October 2, 1942 is a One of the most popular Bollywood actress from the past times. Presently she is a director and producer. She was one of the top stars in Hindi films from 1959 to 1973. She is supposed to be the star of more hit films than any other actress.

Being born in a middle-class Gujarati household Asha ji started her career as a child artiste under the screen name Baby Asha Parekh in the film Aasmaan (1952). Then Bimal Roy saw her dance at a stage function and cast her at the tender age of twelve in Baap Beti (1954). This film failure dissappointed her but did some more child roles. Rejected from Vijay Bhatt's Goonj Uthi Shehnai (1959), she was picked up by film producer Subodh Mukherjee and writer-director Nasir Hussain as the heroine in Dil Deke Dekho (1959) opposite Shammi Kapoor which made her a huge star. Then they cast her in more six films: Jab Pyar Kisi Se Hota Hai (1961), Phir Wohi Dil Laya Hoon (1963), Teesri Manzil (1966), Baharon Ke Sapne (1967), Pyar Ka Mausam (1969), and Caravan (1971). She was only cosidered as a glamour girl/excellent dancer/tomboy until she had done some serious roles in Do Badan (1966), Chirag (1969), and Main Tulsi Tere Aangan Ki (1978).

When asked if she missed having a husband and children, her response was: "I don’t think so. There was a time when I did want to get married. I used to love children, I still love children, but now I feel that I am happy I am not married and don’t have kids, because I don’t think I would have been able to cope up with them."

She also had done various supporting roles like in Bhabhi, which she called as the "awkward phase" of her career. So she stopped acting in films. Then on the advice of her friends she opted for the television direction. She formed a production company Akruti and produced serials like Palash ke Phool, Baaje Payal, Kora Kagaz and a comedy Dal Mein Kaala. She was the president of the Cine Artistes' Association from 1994 to 2000. Asha was the first female chairperson of the Central Board of Film Certification (Censor Board) of India. She held the post from 1998 to 2001 for which she received no salary but plenty of controversy for censoring films and for not giving clearance to Shekhar Kapur's Elizabeth. Later, she became the treasurer of the Cine and Television Artists Association (CINTAA) and also was later elected to be one of its officebearers.

Asha has remained unmarried:

Asha remained unmarried, claiming that her reputation of being unapproachable made people hesitate in asking her hand in marriage. There were rumors that she was romantically involved with her married director Nasir Hussain. In her later years, Asha said that she had a longtime boyfriend but declined to elaborate on the relationship, only stating that "it was nice while it lasted." She said she hadn't seen Nasir Hussain the last year of his life, as he became reclusive because of his wife's death, but she did speak to him on the phone the day before he died in 2002. A devastated Asha attended his funeral.

Today, she concentrates on her dance academy Kara Bhavan, which has produced many skilled dancers. The Asha Parekh Hospital in Santa Cruz, Mumbai is named after her because of her many contributions. Her considerable wealth provides for many of her social and charitable causes.

Asha Parekh has acted in over 50 films some of them to name are as follows:

Aasmaan (1952), Dhobi Doctor (1954), Baap Beti (1954), Ayodhyapati (1956), Ustad (1957), Aasha (1957), Dil Deke Dekho (1959), Hum Hindustani (1960), Ghunghat (1960), Jab Pyar Kisise Hota Hai (1961), Gharana (1961), Chhaya (film) (1961), Apna Banake Dekho (1962), Phir Wohi Dil Laya Hoon (1963), Meri Surat Teri Ankhen (1963), Bin Badal Barsaat (1963), Bharosa (1963), Akhand Saubhagyavati (1963), Ziddi (1964 film) (1964), Mere Sanam (1965), Teesri Manzil (1966), Love in Tokyo (1966), Do Badan (1966), Aaye Din Bahar Ke (1966), Upkar (1967), Baharon Ke Sapne (1967), Shikar (1968), Kahin Aur Chal (1968), Sajan (1969 film) (1969), Pyar Ka Mausam (1969), Mahal (1969), Kanyadaan (film) (1969), Chirag (1969), Aya Sawan Jhoom Ke (1969), Pagla Kahin Ka (1970), Naya Raasta (1970), Kati Patang (1970), Kankan De Ole (1970), Bhai-Bhai (1970), Aan Milo Sajna (1970), Nadaan (1971), Mera Gaon Mera Desh (1971), Jwala (1971), Jawan Mohabbat (1971), Caravan (1971), Samadhi (1972), Rakhi Aur Hathkadi (1972), Heera (film) (1973), Anjaan Raahen (1974), Rani Aur Lalpari (1975), Zakhmee (1975), Udhar Ka Sindur (1976), Kulvadhu (1977), Adha Din Adhi Raat (1977), Main Tulsi Tere Aangan Ki (1978), Prem Vivah (1979), Bin Phere Hum Tere (1979), Sau Din Saas Ke (1980), Bulundi (1980), Khel Muqaddar Ka (1981), Kaalia (1981), Pakhandi (1984), Dharam Aur Kanoon (1984), Manzil Manzil (1984), Lava (film) (1985), Car Thief (film) (1986), Sagar Sangam (1988), Main Tere Liye (1988), Hamara Khandaan (1988), Hum To Chale Pardes (1988), Hathyar (1989 film) (1989), Batwara (1989), Professor Ki Padosan (1993), Bhagyawan (1994), Ghar Ki Izzat (1994), Andolan (1995), Sar Aankhon Par (1999).

Asha Parekh was awarded and nominated for various films that are:

1. Filmfare Award Nomination as Best Actress for Chirag(1969)
2. Filmfare Best Actress Award for Kati Patang(1970)
3. Filmfare Award Nomination as Best Supporting Actress for Udhar Ka Sindoor(1976)
4. Filmfare Award Nomination as Best Supporting Actress for Main Tulsi Tere Aangan Ki (1978)
5. Padma Shri awarded in the Arts (1992)[25][26]
6. Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award (2002)
7. Indian Motion Picture Producers' Association(IMPPA) felicitated Asha for her outstanding contribution to the Indian film industry (2003)[27]
8. Kalakar Award--Lifetime Achievement Award (2004)
9. International Indian Film Academy Awards for outstanding achievement in Indian cinema (2006)
10. Saptarang Ke Saptashee Award (2006)[28]
11. Gujarati Association of North America (GANA)'s First International Gujarati Convention-Lifetime Achievement Award (2006)[29]
12. Pune International Film Festival—Lifetime Achievement Award (2007)
13. Bollywood Award—Lifetime Achievement Award (2007)
14. Living Legend Award from the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry(FICCI).[16]
15. Film Federation of India honored Asha at its Golden Jubilee celebration ceremony-(2008)[30]
16. Sahyadri Navratna Award given to Asha for being a "woman of substance" (2008)[31]
17. Solitaire for Life Award from the ABN Amro Solitaire Design Awards show (2008)[32]
18. Nashik International Film Festival-Lifetime Achievement Award (2009)[33]
19. 'Lachchu Mahraj Puraskar' Award for Asha's contribution to dance and acting (2009)[1]