Zeenat Aman claims moral police has been a ‘steady companion’ as she recalls playing a sex worker in 'Manoranjan'; Priyanka Chopra REACTS

Veteran actor Zeenat Aman is very active on social media and expresses her views openly. On Monday, the 'Satyam Shivam Sundaram' actress took to her Instagram handle to share some pictures from her 1974 movie Manoranjan, taking on a nostalgic journey and expressing her views on moral policing in the '70s.

Sharing the pictures, Zeenat wrote, "If I’ve had a steady companion through my career, it’s been the moral police. And, my goodness, did they have a field day with this one!




Manoranjan defied existing conventions. It was an adaptation of the fabulous 1963 American comedy ‘Irma Le Douce’, and it featured me in the starring role of Nisha. A sex worker with a sense of dignity, independence and humour. Filming Manoranjan was a ‘haste-haste, khelte-khelte’ affair. It was Shammi Kapoor’s directorial debut, had RD Burman in the role of music director, and Sanjeev Kumar as the leading man. The producer FC Mehra was a family friend. We shot the film entirely in studios in Mumbai, and it released in 1974.

She added, "Nisha was no damsel in distress! Her outfits were flirtatious and sexy, but more importantly, she was unapologetic about how she earns a living. This was a character that I could have fun with: sexually liberated, financially independent, and fully capable of locking horns with, and turning down, any man.

I’ve always maintained that I am a ‘director’s actor’, and I do believe Shammi ji coaxed out one of my better performances with this film. The music and costumes were also a hoot. In ‘aaya hoon main tujh ko le jaoonga’ we dance upon gigantic musical instruments, ‘chori chori solah singar’ (sung by Asha ji) has a titillating shower sequence, and ‘dulhan maike chali’ is pictured entirely in a police van full of sex workers being taken to the police station and was sung by all three Mangeshkar sisters! If you’re interested, you can watch these on YouTube.

The 70s were a wonderful time to be alive! Despite the moral police (they’re always around) the atmosphere of experimentation, freedom and fashion was unmatchable!

I wonder if some of my older followers remember this film? I’d love to hear your memories of watching it or any discussion it may have provoked.

Enjoy your Monday and have a lovely week, everybody."

Reacting to her post, Priyanka Chopra warmly expressed her support for Zeenat's charisma and complimented her by stating, "Moral police is still around and will continue to be around it seems! But you are beyond".

Meanwhile, on the work front, Priyanka is currently shooting for The Bluff, directed by Frank E. Flowers. Set in the 19th-century Caribbean, the film follows a former female pirate, played by Priyanka, who must protect her family when the mysterious sins of her past catch up to her.