NRI Bollywood: ECLUSIVE

Zarina Wahab (Born 17 July 1959) is an Indian actress and former model, who was critically acclaimed for starring roles, such as in Chit Chor and Gopal Krishna in the 1970s.

Zarina Wahab met actor Aditya Pancholi on the sets of Kalan Ka Tika.^[8] They married in 1986 and have a daughter, Sana and son Suraj. Her husband is younger than her. News of their turbulent marriage, her husband's temper and rumors of infidelity have been in the gossip columns.^[9] Yet, they are still together.

Career

Zarina was born into a Muslim family in Vishakapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. She is fluent in Telugu, Hindi and English. She was trained at Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), Pune.^[1] Zarina has three sisters and one brother.

Filmmaker Raj Kapoor was unimpressed with her look, when he met her at FTII. So Zarina worked on her appearance and attended film parties and events. She eventually got noticed and was cast in films.^[2] She was usually cast as the middle-class, natural beauty. She had a major hit film in Basu Chatterjee's Chit Chor (1976). She earned a Filmfare nomination as Best Actress for her role in Gharonda (1977).^[3] She has acted in Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam films, and has become fluent in Malayalam.
She made a comeback to Malayalam films with Calendar, which released in 2009. She appeared in My Name Is Khan as the mother of Rizwan Khan (Shah Rukh Khan's character).^[4]
She prefers Telugu films, and has encouraged her daughter Sana to start acting in a South Indian film, the way she had in a Telugu film Gajula Kistayya (1975) with Krishna.^[5] Sana has tried her hand at acting in 2006.^[6] Wahab currently plays older roles in television serials.^[7]

Complete Filmography

RaktCharitra (2010)
Malik Ek (2010) .... Shanti - Pralhad's Mother
My Name Is Khan (2010) (uncredited)
Calendar (2009) .... Thankam Joseph
Kaisay Kahein... (2007) .... Mrs. Rao
Jaane Hoga Kya (2006) .... Mrs. Krishnan
Prateeksha (2006) .... Kunti
Kisna: The Warrior Poet (2005) .... Shanta
Dil Maange More!!! (2004) .... Shagun's mother
Mera Damad (1995) .... Kimi/Sunita Choudhry
Toofan (1989) .... Mrs. Laxmi Gopal Sharma
Maashuka (1987)
Mera Yaar Mera Dushman (1987)
Amrit (1986) .... Savitri Sharma
Adhikar (1986) .... Rita
Dahleez (1986) .... Jameela Ali
Hum Naujawan (1985) .... Meenakshi
Hanste Khelte (1984)
Manasariyathe (1984) .... Sindhu
Dard-E-Dil (1983) .... Reshma
Chor Police (1983)
Lal Chunariyaa (1983) .... Kamini
Barrister (1982)
Enthino Pookunna Pookal (1982) .... Savithri
Foot Ball (1982)
Maine Jeena Seekh Liya (1982) .... Reema
Sara Varsham (1982) .... Savitha
Shiv Charan (1982)
Ek Aur Ek Gyarah (1981)
Roohi (1981) .... Sajjo/Roohi
Aakhri Mujra (1981)
Palangal (1981) .... Usha
Sitara (1980) .... Dhaniya/Sarita
Aakhri Insaaf (1980)
Hema Hemeelu (1980)
Jazbaat (1980) .... Sapna/Sangeeta
Gopal Krishna (1979) .... Radha
Jeena Yahan (1979) .... Guest Appearance
Naiyya (1979) .... Geeta
Salaam Memsaab (1979) .... Radha
Sawan Ko Aane Do (1979) .... Chandrika
Anpadh (1978) .... Jyoti
Madanolsavam (1978) .... Elizabeth
Tumhare Liye (1978) .... Rajnartaki
Agar... If (1977) .... Anju A. Agarwal
Gharaonda (The Nest) (1977)
Chitchor (1976) .... Geeta P. Choudhry
Anokha (1975) .... Sudha Manchanda
Gajula Kishtayya (1975)
Ishq Ishq Ishq (1974) .... Prema

Television

Maayka (Zee TV soap) as Mohini Malhotra (the mother of Soni, Mahi, Raji and Prince)
Zaara – Pyaar Ki Saugat (Sahara One Soap) as Sana Khan Amir's stepmother
Yahaan Main Ghar Ghar Kheli as Pratibha (Karan's mother)

'Virrudh- Vasudha mother( Sony TV)

Awards & Nominations