Mumbai: Veteran actress Zeenat Aman once revealed during her appearance on The Kapil Sharma Show how she ended up getting the role of Rupa in the 1978 classic Satyam Shivam Sundaram.

Kapil Sharma Asked About Her Casting in the Iconic Role

Host Kapil Sharma asked her, “When you were cast in the film ‘Satyam Shivam Sundaram’, in which the face of your character is always covered, how did the makers get the idea to cast such a beautiful and glamorous girl for this role?”

Sharing the incident, Zeenat revealed that she was working on another film with legendary filmmaker Raj Kapoor titled Waqeel Babu.

She said Raj Kapoor was simultaneously planning Satyam Shivam Sundaram and often spoke about the character of Rupa, which inspired her deeply.

Zeenat Arrived at RK Studio Dressed as Rupa

Zeenat admitted that, as an actor, she had always wanted to work under Raj Kapoor’s direction.

In an effort to convince him that she was right for the role, she arrived at RK Studio dressed exactly as she imagined Raj Kapoor had envisioned Rupa.

Seeing her in that look, Raj Kapoor was pleasantly surprised. He immediately called his wife, Krishna Kapoor, and asked her to come to the studio.

When Krishna Kapoor arrived, she presented Zeenat with gold ginnies.

According to Zeenat, Raj Kapoor then told her, “You are my Rupa.”

Screen Test Helped Secure Support from Distributors

The veteran actress further disclosed that Raj Kapoor shot a reel with her based on the famous song “Jago Mohan Pyare,” a sequence he had earlier filmed with Nargis Dutt.

Zeenat said that after viewing the reel, distributors became convinced about the project and agreed to buy the film.

A Timeless Love Story

Directed by Raj Kapoor and written by Jainendra Jain, Satyam Shivam Sundaram also starred Shashi Kapoor in the lead role.

The film tells the story of Roopa, played by Zeenat Aman, whose face is partially disfigured in a fire accident. Rajeev, portrayed by Shashi Kapoor, is a handsome engineer overseeing a dam project in the village. He falls in love with Roopa and marries her before discovering the scar that covers part of her face.

The film remains one of the most discussed and iconic works in Hindi cinema, remembered for its music, themes of inner beauty, and Raj Kapoor’s distinctive storytelling style.