Asha Parekh facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Asha Parekh
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Parekh in 2022
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| Born | 2 October 1942 |
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| Years active | 1952–2008 |
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Full list |
| Honours | Padma Shri (1992) Dadasaheb Phalke Award (2020) |
Asha Parekh was born on October 2, 1942. She is a famous Indian actress, film director, and producer. She has acted in over 95 films during her career, which lasted more than four decades. The Government of India honored her with the Padma Shri award in 1992. This award recognized her great contributions to Indian cinema. In 2020, she also received the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, which is one of the highest honors in Indian film.
Asha Parekh started acting as a child in the film Maa (1952). As an adult, she became a big star. She appeared in many popular films in the 1960s and 1970s. Some of her well-known movies include Dil Deke Dekho (1959), Teesri Manzil (1966), Love in Tokyo (1966), and Kati Patang (1970). She won two Filmfare Award for Best Actress awards for her acting. In 2002, she received the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award. Her life story, called The Hit Girl, was published in 2017.
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Early Life and First Steps in Acting
Asha Parekh was born in Santa Cruz, Mumbai. Her mother, Sudha Lakdawala, was a Bohri Muslim. Her father, Bachubhai Parekh, was a Gujarati Hindu. They met while studying in Pune.
When she was young, Asha wanted to be a doctor. However, she changed her mind after seeing a train accident. She also loved to dance from a very young age. A famous actor named Prem Nath noticed her dancing talent. He asked a Kathak dancer, Mohanlal Pandey, to train her. Director Bimal Roy saw her perform at St. Xavier’s College. He then chose her to act as a child in his film Maa (1952).
Her Journey as a Child Actor
Asha Parekh began her acting career at ten years old. She used the screen name Baby Asha Parekh. Her first film was Maa (1952). She also appeared in other films like Aasman (1952) and Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu (1953). After one of her films, Baap Beti, was not very successful, Asha decided to take a break from acting. She went back to school to focus on her studies.
Becoming a Star in Indian Cinema
When Asha was sixteen, she wanted to act again. At first, she was told she wasn't "star material" for a film. But just eight days later, producer Subodh Mukherjee and director Nasir Hussain cast her in Dil Deke Dekho (1959). This film was a big hit and started her long working relationship with Nasir Hussain. She worked with him in six more films, including Jab Pyar Kisi Se Hota Hai (1961) and Caravan (1971).
Asha Parekh starred in many successful films during the 1960s and 1970s. These included Ziddi (1964), Mere Sanam (1965), and Love in Tokyo (1966). She also worked with director Raj Khosla on films like Do Badan (1966) and Chirag (1969). Her role in Do Badan helped people see her as a serious actress, not just a "glamour girl." She won her first Filmfare Award for Best Actress for her role in Kati Patang (1970).
She also acted in films in other Indian languages. These included three Gujarati films, two Punjabi films, and one Kannada film. Her only film with the famous actor Amitabh Bachchan was Kaalia (1981).
Directing and Other Important Roles
After her acting career slowed down, Asha Parekh moved into television. She directed a Gujarati TV show called Jyoti (1988–1989). She also started her own production company, Akruti. This company produced several TV shows, including Kora Kagaz (1998–2002).
From 1994 to 2000, Asha Parekh was the president of the Cine and TV Artistes' Association (CINTAA). This group helps actors and artists in the film and TV industry. She also helped create the Cine Artiste Welfare Trust. This trust provides financial and medical help to artists who need it.
Between 1998 and 2001, she made history as the first woman to lead the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). This board is responsible for giving films their ratings and deciding what can be shown in movies.
Challenges as CBFC Chairperson
During her time as the head of the CBFC, Asha Parekh faced some challenges. One film, Fire (1996), caused controversy. Some people protested against it. Asha Parekh believed the film showed a sensitive topic in a good way. She stood by the decision not to ban it.
Another film, Zakhm (1998), also caused discussions. The CBFC suggested some changes because it showed scenes of riots. Asha Parekh aimed to balance her duties with filmmakers' freedom to express themselves. She wanted to stop too much violence or bad language, but also support creative freedom.
Later Years and Her Book
In 2008, Asha Parekh was a judge on a TV reality show. In 2017, she released her autobiography, The Hit Girl. This book tells her life story and experiences in the film industry.
Personal Life and Contributions
Asha Parekh has never married. She once said that for her, a good marriage was more important than just getting married. She did not want to marry just to have the title of being married.
In her book, she shared that she had a special relationship with director Nasir Hussain. He was already married, and she did not want to break up his family. She said he was the "only man she ever loved." She remains close with his children.
She is also good friends with other famous actors like Helen and Waheeda Rehman.
Asha Parekh tried to adopt a child once, but the child had health issues. She was very attached to that child and wanted to adopt only him. However, her mother became ill, and Asha focused on taking care of her.
Asha Parekh has dedicated her time to her dance academy, Kara Bhavan. She also helped establish the Asha Parekh Hospital in Santacruz, Mumbai. She named it after her mother, who passed away from cancer. The hospital provides medical care to many patients. As of 2025, a new hospital facility is being planned at the same location.
After her parents passed away, Asha Parekh faced a difficult time. She shared that she struggled with sadness during that period.
Her Impact and Legacy
Asha Parekh is considered one of the most talented actors in Hindi cinema. In 2022, she was listed among the "75 Best Bollywood Actresses." She was one of the highest-paid actresses from the late 1960s to early 1970s. She topped the "Top Actresses" list twice. In 2022, a special event honored her at the 53rd International Film Festival of India. Three of her films were shown there. Her hand-print was also placed at the Walk of the Stars in Bandra Bandstand.
Many people have praised her unique acting style and strong personality. She is known for her energetic dance moves and for bringing joy to her roles. She was often called Bollywood's "jubilee girl" because so many of her films were big hits. She worked hard to become one of the most sought-after leading ladies of her time.
Filmography
Awards and Recognitions
Asha Parekh has received many awards throughout her career. She won the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award in 2002. She has also received several other Lifetime Achievement Awards from different film festivals and organizations.
In 2016, there was a discussion about her possibly seeking a higher civilian award. However, Asha Parekh stated in her memoir that she never asked for the award. She had already received the Padma Shri in 1992.
Here is a list of some of her awards and nominations:
- Won – Gujarat State Award for Best Actress for Akhand Saubhagyavati (1963)
- Nominated – Filmfare Award for Best Actress for Chirag (1969)
- Won – Filmfare Award for Best Actress for Kati Patang (1971)
- Nominated – Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress for Udhar Ka Sindur (1976)
- Nominated – Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress for Main Tulsi Tere Aangan Ki (1978)
- Padma Shri awarded in the Arts (1992)
- Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award (2002)
- Kalakar Awards – Lifetime Achievement Award (2004)
- International Indian Film Academy Awards for outstanding achievement in Indian cinema (2006)
- Pune International Film Festival—Lifetime Achievement Award (2007)
- Bollywood Award—Lifetime Achievement Award (2007)
- Living Legend Award from the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI)
- Film Federation of India honored Parekh for her contributions (2008)
- Nashik International Film Festival—Lifetime Achievement Award (2009)
- 'Lachchu Mahraj Puraskar' Award for her dance and acting (2009)
- 40th International Film Festival of India honored Parekh for 50 years in Hindi cinema (2009)
- Jaipur International Film Festival—Lifetime Achievement Award (2011)
- "Walk of the Stars" honor, where a tile bears her handprint (2013)
- Stardust-Lifetime Achievement Award (2015)
- Most Stylish Lifetime Style Icon Award—Hindustan Times Most Stylish Awards (2017)
- Second Best Book Award for her memoir "The Hit Girl" (2017)
- Bimal Roy Memorial Lifetime Achievement Award (2019)
- Global Cinema Festival-Lifetime Achievement Award (2020)
- Master Deenanath Puraskar Award for "dedicated services in the field of cinema" (2022)
- Dadasaheb Phalke Award presented for the year 2020 by Government of India (2022)
- India International Film Festival of Boston - Lifetime Achievement Award (2022)
- Girnar Gaurav Award - Lifetime Achievement Award (2023)
- Amrit Ratna Samman Award (2023)
- Raj Kapoor Award given by Maharashtra state government (2024)
