A look at Zeenat Aman's most iconic looks from her equally iconic movies

Long before the word “icon” became a casual compliment, Zeenat Aman embodied it with effortless grace. From the moment she stepped into the frame in the early 70s, she brought with her a kind of style India hadn’t seen before — easy, modern, confident, and quietly rebellious. She didn’t just wear clothes; she lived in them, turning tinted sunglasses, flowy prints, satin robes, and sharp tailoring into extensions of her personality. Decades later, her influence still lingers in every conversation about Bollywood style, proving that true icons aren’t crafted; they simply are.

1. Haré Rama Haré Krishna (1971) — The epitome of boho-chic

In this film, she sported floral/loose prints, tinted sunglasses, garlands and a carefree Western-influenced style — cited as one of the earliest “modern” Bollywood heroine fashion moments.

2. Shalimar (1978) — The sparkling metallic dress

She carried bold, high-fashion looks in this film with bejewelled accessories and dramatic evening silhouettes — presenting a polished, international style that aligned with the film’s global, heist-thriller aesthetic.

3. Heera Panna (1973) — Bold in a bikini

At a time when Bollywood was still navigating bold, boundary-pushing aesthetics, Zeenat Aman challenged ideas of onscreen femininity like never before in this film. Think bikinis, polka-dotted ensembles and statement eyewear in a never-seen-before avatar. 

4. Don (1978) — The coming of a diva 

A redefining era in structured wardrobe picks for women, she embraced sharp tailoring, coordinated sets and refined Western outfits — creating an empowered, sleek screen persona that became a defining image of 70s glamour.

5. Satyam Shivam Sundaram (1978) —  Sensual minimalism in a white saree

What can be said of her iconic sheer white saree in this film that would best explain the effect it would have on people decades after the film's release? Her sheer white saree, dripping from head to toe, rewrote a striking visual language that blended sensuous minimalism with fashion that sparked a cultural conversation. 

6. Qurbani (1980) — The coming disco glam 

In this film, she dazzled in disco-era costumes, metallic accents and iconic performance outfits — solidifying her reputation as a glamorous trendsetter of the late 70s and early 80s.

7. Ajnabee (1974) — Soft feminine

In this film,  Zeenat Aman’s costumes blended softer feminine aesthetics; think satin nightwear, pastel florals, ruffled collars and elegant robes — a minimalist yet sensual wardrobe that felt strikingly modern for its time. 

Text by Tanisha Sawhney 

Edited by Sabrina Mathews