One of the most influential and successful actresses of the 1960s and 1970s, Asha Parekh is celebrating her 79th birthday today. She was the highest paid actress of her time.
Today, let’s take a dive into the times when she was known as the glamorous ‘Miss Neeta’ and revisit some of her best movies.
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Dil Deke Dekho (1957)
This film was directed by Nasir Hussain and Asha Parekh was just 16 at that time. She made her debut opposite Shammi Kapoor in this movie. Asha Parekh’s elfin grace and Shammi Kapoor’s charm kept the audience mesmerized for a long time.
Do Badan (1966)
Asha performed a serious dramatic role in this movie. Manoj Kumar played the character of her lover who loses his eyesight and the two lovers were separated by the class divide. Do Badan got 7.3 ratings on IMDB.
Teesri Manzil (1966)
This movie was a hit at that time. ‘O Haseena Zulfon Wali’, composition by R.D. Burman added magic to the plot of mystery and revenge. It has 7.7 ratings on IMDB. Shammi Kapoor was the co-star in the movie. This pair became the most loved onscreen couple in 1960s.
Caravan (1971)
This film became the biggest hit of Asha’s success-driven career. Although the focus was on Aruna Hirani, Asha held her own charm as the runaway girl falling in love with a gypsy caravan driver. Various popular hits like ‘Piya Tu Ab Toh Aaja’ and ‘Kitna Pyara Wada’ were given by this movie.
Aan Milo Sajna (1970)
This one was a romantic musical. Asha was paired with Rajesh Khanna who was a mass entertainer. Plot becomes complicated when Rajesh Khanna become the accused of murder and Asha falls in love with him. ‘Accha toh hum chalte hain’ song from the movie is still loved by the audience.