It was in the 1990s when the veteran actor turned filmmaker, Raj Kapoor, decided to direct a romantic drama film. The film started under the direction of Raj Kapoor, but during the course of the film, Raj Kapoor passed away, and the remaining part of the film was later directed by his eldest son, Randhir Kapoor.
It was Raj Kapoor’s last film and was a commercial hit. The film in question is Henna. For the titular role, Raj Kapoor wanted to launch a fresh face, and since it was an Indo-Pak film, he came across the beautiful Zeba Bakhtiar. Her beauty bestowed Raj Kapoor, and she was cast as the film’s lead opposite Rishi Kapoor. Henna was Zeba’s debut Hindi film, and she rose to fame after its release.
Zeba became an overnight star in India, but the actress was already an established name in Pakistan. The actress had a glamorous life, but her personal life was a total mess. From four marriages to battling for the custody of her son, Zeba faced it all. Let us read to know some unknown details about the popular actress.
Born and raised in Quetta, Zeba is the daughter of a famous Pakistani politician and former Attorney General, Yahya Bakhtiyar. Her mother was of Hungarian descent, while her father was from Quetta. Zeba was raised in Quetta and later moved to Karachi. She made her television debut with a Pakistani drama, Anarkali, in 1988.
After her Hindi film debut in 1991, she was seen in many Bollywood films like Mohabbat Ki Arzoo, Stuntman, Jai Vikraanta and Muqadama. However, unlike her debut film, Henna, none of her other films worked, and eventually, she moved back to Pakistan.
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Zeba Bakhtiar got married to Jaaved Jaffrey in 1989. When the news of their marriage hit the headlines of many tabloids, Zeba rubbished the news and called them mere speculations. But it was Jaaved who had made their nikahnama public. Within a year, the two had called off their marriage and had gone their separate ways after a mutual divorce.
After her split from Jaaved, Zeba found love again in the arms of Bollywood and Pakistani singer, Adnan Sami. He was smitten by Zeba and her charm. The love-struck Adnan tied the knot with Zeba in 1993 when he was just 22. Since Adnan was not a well-known name back then, the word of their affair before the wedding never got out. The couple also starred in a Pakistani film together called Sargam.
The duo became parents to a baby boy, whom they named Azaan Sami Khan. However, her marriage with Adnan, too, didn’t last, and after four years of marital bliss, they got divorced in 1996. However, their divorce wasn’t smooth, and the couple fought for the custody of their son, which lasted for 18 months. In an interview with Aamna Haider Isani, Zeba spoke about the custody battle and said:
“I lost my mind. I was functioning, but not really, because that coping technique comes from somewhere. It was quite challenging. But I’m glad Azaan and I made it back.”
The popular Pakistani actress, Zeba has been married four times, but she was never lucky in the matter of heart. She had first married a man named Salman Valliani from Quetta in 1985, with whom she had a daughter. But within a year, they divorced, and her daughter was later reportedly adopted by her own sister.
Then Zeba married Jaaved Jaffrey in 1989, and they divorced in a year. She gave love another chance and had a nikah with Adnan Sami in 1993, but they divorced in 1997. After many years, love knocked at her door, and she married Sohail Khan Leghari in 2009. They divorced in the same year.
Zeba Bakhtiar was never lucky in love, but the actress is leading a peaceful, single life at the age of 62.
Also Read: Who Is Atul Subhash's Wife, Nikita? Accenture Consultant, Filed 9 Cases, Demanded Rs 3 Cr Alimony
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