Asha Parekh Biography

Asha Parekh born 2 October 1942 is a Hindi Cinema actress, director, and producer. She was one of the top stars in Hindi films from 1960 to 1973 and is said to have starred in more hit films than any other actress.

Asha Parekh was born into a Gujarati household on 2 October 1942 in Maharashtra, India to a Jain father was from Paldi near Pirana, Ahmedabad, Gujarat and Muslim mother, Since she was an only child, she became the centre of her parents' lives. Her mother enrolled her in Indian classical dance classes.

Asha Parekh has remained unmarried. There were rumors that she was romantically involved with her director Nasir Hussain. In her later years, Asha said that she had a longtime boyfriend but declined to elaborate on the relationship.

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.

Asha Parekh started her career as a child artiste with screen name Baby Asha Parekh in the film Aasmaan 1952. Director Bimal Roy saw her dance at a stage function and cast her in Film Baap Beti 1954. At sixteen she made her debut as a heroine, she was rejected for film Goonj Uthi Shehnai with Rajendra Kumar 1959. Writer-director Nasir Hussain cast her as the heroine in Dil Deke Dekho 1959 opposite Shammi Kapoor which made her a huge star.

Asha Parekh acted in films like Jab Pyar Kisi Se Hota Hai with Dev Anand 1961, Phir Wohi Dil Laya Hoon 1963, Teesri Manzil 1966, Baharon Ke Sapne with Rajesh Khanna 1967, Pyar Ka Mausam with shashi Kapoor 1969, and Caravan with Jeetendra 1971. She also did a small role in film Manzil Manzil 1984.

Director Raj Khosla casted her in three films: Do Badan with Manoj Kumar 1966, Chirag 1969, and Main Tulsi Tere Aangan Ki with Vinod Khana 1978. Director Shakti Samanta gave her more dramatic roles in her other favorite films, Pagla Kahin Ka 1970, and Kati Patang 1970,

Asha acted in her mother tongue Gujarati by starring in three films at the height of her fame in Hindi films, the first film being Akhand Saubhagyavati 1963, which became a huge hit. She also acted in some Punjabi films and a Kannada film.

Later she took on supporting roles as bhabhi, and mother, and became a television director in the early 1990s with a Gujarati serial Jyoti. 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. Later, she became the treasurer of the Cine and Television Artists Association (CINTAA)

Asha stopped acting in 1995 to pursue directing and producing television serials, but her acting accomplishments were not forgotten as she received the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award in 2002.

In 2008, she was seen judging dancers on a reality show Tyohaar Dhamaaka on the Indian entertainment channel.

Asha Parekh Filmography

Aasmaan (1952)
Dhobi Doctor (1954)
Baap Beti (1954)
Ayodhyapati (1956)
Ustad (1957)
Dil Deke Dekho (1959)
Hum Hindustani (1960)
Ghunghat (1960)
Jab Pyar Kisise Hota Hai (1961)
Gharana (1961)
Chhaya (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)