Asha Parekh

The sixties star Asha Parekh entered the world of celluloid very young with Bimal Roy's Baap Beti. Her name was synonymous to figure-hugging kurtas and sarees she often wore that outlined her curves to perfection. Gifted with an effervescent spontaniety and excellent acting skills, Asha Parekh was also a good dancer, second only to Vyjayanthimala. Her dance movements in Love in Tokyo, Ziddi, Aan Milo Sajana are still lauded and her role as a passive widow in Kati Patang continues to dominate her fans mind. Though her films Gunj Uthi Shehnai, Teesari Manzil and her song Tere galiyon me na rakhenge kadam still remain fresh in memories of people, her sheer sensuality in the song Jab chali thandi hawa jab chali kali ghata from Do Badan was convincingly protrayed.

Her career really took off with Naseer Hussein's Dil Deke Dekho with Shammi Kapoor. And with 75 films to her credit, she turned to small screen, producing television programmes such as Palaash Ke Phool and Baaje Payal, Daal Me Kuch Kala Hai and Kora Kagaz. After an unforgettable stint in movies, Asha Parekh is making news in her new role as Chairperson of the Central Board for Film Certification aka the Censor Board. Replacing film director Shakti Samanta who put in seven years in the post she became the first woman to occupy this post.