Zara Khan

Zara Khan
Born Zara Khan
Nationality Indian
Occupation Actress, Singer
Parent(s) Rehmat Khan (father)
Salma Agha (mother)
Relatives See Agha–Khan family

Zara Khan (formerly known as Sasha Agha Khan) is an Indian actress and singer, who has appeared in Hindi films. Born to the Agha–Khan family, she made her Bollywood debut with 2013 Aditya Chopra romantic thriller Aurangzeb.[1]

Early life

Actress and singer, Zara Khan, was born to the Agha & Khan families, who have both excelled at both film and sports. Zara is the daughter of famous Pakistani squash player Rehmat Khan and Singer/Actress Salma Agha,[2] being the granddaughter of Nasrullah Khan[3] She has a younger brother, Liaqat Ali Khan, a gold medalist in badminton, one half-brother Tariq Khan, and two half-sisters Suraiya Khan and Natasha Khan (better known as Bat for Lashes, a British singer-songwriter). Her maternal lineage bears a very prominent name in the Indian film industry working that dates back to the 1940s when her Great Grand Father Jugal Kishore Mehra, was also uncle to Bollywood Icon, Raj Kapoor, from a dynasty as important to Indian cinema as were the Kennedys to politics. On the other hand, Anwar Begum, Jugal Kishore Mehra’s wife starred in the first ever “Heer Ranjha” (an Indian version of Romeo & Juliet). It was therefore only natural for Zara’s talented grandmother Nasreen Mehra, to make her debut with the legendary director AK Kardar in the Film “Shahjehan” opposite the legendary actor Sehgal. Zara’s Mother Salma Agha made her debut as an actress and singer with BR Chopra, another major director and writer of the 1980s, whose family now own India’s leading Bollywood production house that is known for having co-produced 'Grace of Monaco' with Nicole Kidman and Tim Roth that opened Cannes Film Festival a couple of years ago, as well as, ‘Titli’, part of the official Selection. Her very 1st film “Nikaah” that went on to becoming an immense Box-Office hit & one of the most popular films till date that ran in a theatre for 5 years continuously, making her overnight superstar, earning her a prestigious Filmfare Award for Best Actress and propulsing her career as a singer.[2][4]

The paternal side of the family has also illustrated itself and marked the world of sports, squash, in particular. Her great-grandfather Khan created the squash ball which holds great honor in the family, Her grandfather Nasrullah Khan was a World Class Squash Player who won several titles. Zara’s uncle Jahangir Khan was a 10-time British Open winner and was personally trained by Zara’s father Rahmat Khan who comes into the rank of top 10 squash coaches in the world of Squash. Rahmat Khan has given other well-known and famous champions to the world of squash by training teams that have represented countries such as India, Kuwait, Pakistan and Brunei.

Zara, the talented actress and singer who was educated in the U.S. has made her debut opposite actor Arjun Kapoor with India’s leading production house, Yashraj Films, today a Global Film company co-producing films with major studios in Hollywood and that have been part of Cannes, Berlin, Marrakech Film Festivals.[5]

Career

Acting

Agha made her film debut in Yash Raj's romantic thriller Aurangzeb, opposite Arjun Kapoor and Prithviraj Sukumaran.[6][7] The film revolves around twin brothers, who find themselves caught in a quagmire of sex and lies. The Times of India wrote about Agha's performance, "Sasha is petite, pug-nosed, and has a nice figure. But her portrayal of the golden-hearted whore, like the one Parveen Babi played in Deewaar, is insipid."[1] After her debut film, ‘Aurangzeb’, Zara recently played the lead character in a short film called “Khoj” which premiered at Cannes Film Festival's, Short Film corner. The film won her instant recognition for her powerful performance as it was a story based on a 19-year-old girl, struggling with the consequences of NRI arranged marriages that are commonplace in India. This women-centric film, also directed Raj Babbars Niece Kajri babbar, the film was made with the purpose of highlighting the harsh reality Indian women are still facing in traditional conservation India in 2018. The film is part of the international festival circuit and one gets to notice Zara's versatile approach in exploring various genres, while looking at an international career prospects.

Music

Khan's main vocal influence was her mother, who she said was "passionate about singing", and helped develop her interest in it. She used her vocal talent early in her school life. Her first recording, the song "Barbaadiyaan", appeared along with Ram Sampath in the 2013 film Aurangzeb. The song received mixed reviews from critics, becoming a commercial success in India.[8]

In the media

FHM (India) ranked Sasha at #29 on 100 Sexiest Women In The World 2013.[9]

Filmography

Year Title Role Notes
2013 Aurangzeb Ritu Also playback singer for song "Barbaadiyaan"
2018 Khoj Gurri

See also

References

  1. 1 2 Aurangzeb movie review: Wallpaper, Story, Trailer at Times of India. Timesofindia.indiatimes.com. Retrieved on 29 March 2014.
  2. 1 2 "Interview for Harper's Bazaar". Retrieved 26 October 2013.
  3. ↑ DailyTube – Sashaa Agha – Wiki Article. Dailytube4u.com (29 July 2013). Retrieved on 29 March 2014.
  4. ↑ "Kareena Kapoor, Ranbir Kapoor to root for cousin Sasha Agha's Aurangzeb". Daily Bhaskar.
  5. ↑ "Dubai girl Sasheh Aagha makes Bollywood debut". Gulf News. 13 May 2013.
  6. ↑ PHOTOS: Arjun Kapoor romances debutante Sasha Agha in Aurangzeb Photo Gallery, Picture News Gallery – The Indian Express. Archive.indianexpress.com. Retrieved on 29 March 2014.
  7. ↑ "Sasha Agha makes Arjun Kapoor jittery during lovemaking scene". NDTV. 29 November 2012.
  8. ↑ "Watch: 'Barbadiyaan', a club track from 'Aurangzeb' featuring Arjun Kapoor, Sasha Agha". indianexpress.com. Retrieved 15 September 2015.
  9. ↑ "FHM India's 100 Sexiest Women In The World 2013: The full list!". Retrieved 27 October 2013.
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