In a shocking revelation from Bollywood's golden era, veteran photographer Jayesh Sheth has recalled the dramatic photoshoot where Zeenat Aman posed with her damaged eye like a 'tigress in vengeance' following the alleged 1979 assault by actor Sanjay Khan.
The Controversial Affair and Taj Incident
The incident dates back to 1979 when Sanjay Khan, married to Zarine Khan at the time, was allegedly having an affair with his Abdullah co-star Zeenat Aman. According to industry accounts, the situation turned violent during what has been referred to as the 'Taj incident', leaving Zeenat with a swollen and damaged eye that created waves throughout the Hindi film industry.
Jayesh Sheth, speaking on The Pooja Bhatt Show podcast, shared his initial interactions with the actors during the filming of Abdullah. 'They had a strong affair at that time,' Sheth recalled, mentioning the song 'Maine Poochha Chand Se' shoot at RK Studios where he captured intimate moments between the co-stars.
The Defiant Photoshoot
What followed the alleged assault became one of Bollywood's most powerful moments of resilience. 'When she recovered, we organized a shoot with that little swelling and her damaged eye,' Sheth revealed, describing the unforgettable session.
The photographer painted a vivid picture of the photoshoot: 'She was like a tigress. Her hair was open, she was lit from the back and she was giving pose after pose in vengeance. Killer shots.' Despite using makeup to conceal the injury, the swelling remained visible, creating what Sheth described as some of the most powerful images of his career.
Conflicting Accounts and Aftermath
While Zeenat Aman has previously addressed the incident in a conversation with Simi Garewal, she notably refrained from naming her attacker. 'For many years, in my mind, it's been obliterated because I think that's what the human mind does,' she explained, describing how she coped with the traumatic event.
Sanjay Khan, however, has consistently denied the allegations. While promoting his memoir The Best Mistakes of My Life, he characterized the incident as 'a well planned PR attack against me' and claimed he never slapped the actress. He asserted that Zeenat was 'perfectly fine' when he met her the day after the supposed incident and attributed any later eye issues to hereditary factors.
The controversy extended beyond the two principals, with reports indicating that Zarine Khan was heartbroken by her husband's affair with Zeenat and subsequently quit modeling after his ultimatum.
This dramatic chapter from 1979 continues to fascinate Bollywood historians and fans alike, representing both the glamour and darkness that often coexisted in the industry's golden age. The powerful images from that photoshoot remain a testament to Zeenat Aman's strength and resilience in the face of personal turmoil.
