Early Work
After her debut in the film Anmol Sahara (1952), in a small part, Ameeta spent the next few years playing various supporting roles in films such as Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu (1953) and Aab E Hayat (1955). Her strikingly pretty looks and fresh-faced appeal, combined with some confident performances, meant that she quickly graduated as second lead to prominent heroines like Nalini Jaywant and Madhubala in films such as Munimji (1955) and Shirin Farhad (1956).
Around this period Ameeta made a questionable choice in her fledgling career. She was approached by the legendary film maker, Mehboob Khan, to play a role in his much anticipated production, Mother India (1957). The film had high expectations and had a stellar cast which included Nargis, Sunil Dutt, Rajendra Kumar and Raaj Kumar. It was being produced in Technicolor, a rarity in India then. The role Ameeta was approached for was as Rajendra Kumar's sweetheart. It had already been rejected by Mala Sinha and Ameeta too backed out, feeling that in a film starring the celebrated and charismatic Nargis, she would be overlooked. However being associated with such a prestigious film as a relatively new and unknown actress could have raised her profile greatly and given her career a much needed boost. The part Ameeta rejected was eventually played by the actress Kumkum and Mother India went on to be one of the most successful films in the history of Indian cinema.
Read more about this topic: Ameeta
Famous quotes containing the words early and/or work:
“We do not preach great things but we live them.”
—Marcus Minucius Felix (late 2nd or early 3rd ce, Roman Christian apologist. Octavius, 38. 6, trans. by G.H. Rendell.
“Parenting can be established as a time-share job, but mothers are less good “switching off” their parent identity and turning to something else. Many women envy the father’s ability to set clear boundaries between home and work, between being an on-duty and an off-duty parent.... Women work very hard to maintain a closeness to their child. Father’s value intimacy with a child, but often do not know how to work to maintain it.”
—Terri Apter (20th century)