Veteran Bollywood icon and the reigning ‘Queen of Instagram,’ Zeenat Aman, has once again proven why she remains a force to be reckoned with. In a recent post, she shared a vintage magazine cover that mockingly announced the end of her career decades ago. Her witty and sharp response has taken the internet by storm, serving as a reminder that she is far from being a “has-been.”

A Victory Lap Against Critics: Sharing the old cover, Zeenat remarked, “I’m putting this headline in the ‘things that didn’t age well’ category.” She pointed out the irony that while the publication has likely shut down, she—the supposedly ‘fallen’ woman—is thriving in the OTT era. She added a sting to her message, noting that the person who once tried to destroy her wasn’t around to witness her enduring success. Her takeaway? Humility wins, and as the youth say, “Haters gonna hate.”

Critique of Bollywood’s Representation of Love: Beyond her personal journey, Zeenat also reflected on the problematic portrayal of romance in Hindi cinema. Comparing scenes from her films ‘Dostana’ and ‘Teesri Aankh,’ she observed how teasing and harassment were often glorified as “love.” In a rare moment of introspection, she held herself accountable, stating, “I realize now that I too played a part in spreading the kind of love Bollywood promoted across India—which was often obsession rather than healthy affection.” Her candid views on how the industry often crosses the line between fun and harassment have sparked a major conversation among fans.