Happy birthday, Zeenat Aman: How embracing her unapologetic self helped the yesteryear star thrive in the age of Gen Z

Zeenat Aman, a Bollywood icon known for embracing her unapologetic self, turns 73 today. Credited with shattering traditional beauty standards and paving the way for future generations, Zeenat revolutionised the portrayal of women in Hindi Cinema. At a time when Bollywood was reeling with the lack of female-driven movies, her effortless portrayal of what the internet would now call baddies has given Indian cinema food for thought.?

After her successful acting stint, Zeenat took a break to focus on her children, but she returned for a new innings on social media, giving influencers a run for their money. Now a favourite muse of many brands, let's take a look at how the Don actor, a baby boomer, is thriving in the age of Gen-Z.?

Zeenat Aman's strong social media game?

Zeenat Aman is making Instagram a better place, one post at a time. Hailed as The Zeenat Network, the actor has created a strong community on the picture-sharing app, and the best part is resonates with everyone, shattering generational barriers. Her Instagram engagement rate is 16.6%, which leaves those with millions of followers in dust. ?So, how's she doing it? Let's try to understand.?

Comeback stronger than a '90s trend?

The 73-year-old announced her Instagram journey on February 11, 2023, sharing a portrait of herself with a caption that read: “Laughing at the places life takes me. Why hello there, Instagram.”

?What started with the persuasion from her children has now become a phenomenon, with Zeenat fascinating her audience with anecdotes from her career in cinema, her current life, and talking about issues that matter to her. She's also a great sport who regularly partakes in memes, even those about her own self.?

Not your regular Instagram profile?

For instance, in a refreshingly candid post, she pokes fun at typical Instagram profiles, calling them "advertising billboards," and vows to keep hers authentic, with occasional, clearly labelled sponsored content. Authentic? In this day and age? Who does that??

I’ve noticed that many Instagram profiles are more akin to advertising billboards than blogs! It’s a bit of a pity, but it has helped me decide my own approach to this app. Though collaboration requests are pouring in, I’m determined to broach these with caution. I do not think I will share more than three or four, clearly labelled, collaborative posts a month, and I will most definitely not copy-paste captions," the veteran wrote, adding she aims to preserve the integrity of the space that she has created.?

'It would be foolish to make a biopic about me'?

Amid the murmurs of her rumoured biopic, Zeenat declared it would be stupid to make a biopic on her, once again resonating a chord with her followers with her authenticity.?

"Quite frankly, nobody knows me like I do - so any research to this end would be incomplete, even flawed, without my input. I’d wager that for every factoid about me that’s available in the public domain, there are a hundred more that are known just to me. There are a trove of milestones, anecdotes and personal revelations that are integral to understanding my journey. Oh, it’s been an interesting life indeed," she wrote in her Instagram post.?

Nostalgic trips with Zeenat?

Every once in a while, the actor treats her fans with throwback tales, and needless to say, the internet loves it.?

When she came to know about a new word frizz, she was instantly reminded of Feroze Khan. Making the most of opportunity, she described Feroze's charisma with delicious throwbacks.?

Her advice to the Gen Z

In the confusing world of green flags, red flags, and situations, Zeenat Aman offered sane advice to Gen-Z. She said, "... One of you asked me about relationship advice in the comments section of my last post. Here's a personal opinion I haven't previously shared- if you're in a relationship, I strongly recommend that you live together before getting married." The diva also shared that this is something that she has shared with her sons.?

How Zeenat is navigating being a older woman in the public eye

?In a poignant Instagram note, Zeenat said that she grew up among strong female forces, but she has rarely seen older women in the public eye. Well, thanks to Zeenat, this generation has been fortunate enough to watch an older woman thrive in the public eye—all while being her unapologetic self.? ?

For more news and updates from the world of?OTT, and?celebrities?from?Bollywood?and?Hollywood, keep reading?Indiatimes Entertainment.?