Zarina Wahab is a renowned actress in Hindi and Malayalam cinema, known for her girl-next-door image and compelling performances. She was part of memorable films like Chitchor, Gharonda, Sawan Ko Aane Do, Madanolsavam, Chamaram, Palangal, and Adaminte Makan Abu, among many more.
Early Life and Career
Born on July 17, 1959, in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, she grew up in a middle-class family and developed a passion for acting at a young age. Her mother, Malika Wahab, raised her with three sisters—Haseena, Shammi Rashid, and Malika McReynolds—and one brother. She sompleted her early education from Visakhapatnam. She also learned Bharatnatyam from Styanarayan Masterji in Rajahmundry.
Zarina left her home to join the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) in Pune. When She was still in FTII, she met Raj Kapoor, who called called her “Bhangan,” to her amazement. Raj Kapoor later told an embarresed Zarina that, he used to playfully call Bhangan to Raheeda Rahman, and Zarina remind him of her. She graduated from FTII in 1973, and moved to Bombay, where she started her struggle. A story of her rejection from Raj Kapoor is widely circulated in media, which she denies on a number of occasions.
Debut and Breakthrough
In Bombay, Zarina met Dev Anand, who gave her the role of the younger sister of Zeenat Aman in “Ishq Ishq Ishq (1974).” She then starred in Jugal Kishore’s action drama “Anokha (1975),” opposite Shatrughan Sinha.
Zarina find her footing in the industry with Basu Chatterjee‘s “Chitchor (1976),” opposite Amol Palekar and Vijayendra Ghatge. The film which tells the story of girl Geeta, who find herself in dilemma after her family told her that the boy she was meeting with is not the one who was supposed to marry her, but his subordinate. She was praised for her nuanced and grounded portrayal of Geeta’s journey from an naive childish girl to a women who ahve the courage to take her own decisions.
She then acted in Chatterjee’s “Gharonda (1977),” for which she received a Filmfare nomination. The film, addresses urban struggles of having a home and starrs Zarina, Amol Palekar and Shriram Lagoo. She portrays Chhaya, girl deeply in love with Amol Palekar, who encourage her to marry a old man for his mony.
After the film’s success, she became the first choice for portraying middle-class, girl-next-door characters in films like Agar… If (1977), Tumhare Liye (1978), Anpadh (1978), Salaam Memsaab (1979), Sawan Ko Aane Do (1979), Naiyya (1979), Sitara (1980), Roohi (1981), and many more. Some of her other notable films in 1980s include Paanch Qaidi (1981), Tadap (1982), Karwat (1982), Dard-E-Dil (1983), Chor Police (1983), Hum Naujawan (1985), Amrit (1986), Adhikar (1986), Dahleez (1986), and many more.
Namit Das On Screen
Zarina also made her mark in Malayalam cinema too starting from N. Sankaran Nair’s “Madanolsavam,” with Kamal Haasan and Jayan, followed by films like Chamaram (1980), Naayattu (1980), Swattu (1980), Ammakkorumma (1981), Saravarsham (1982), Enthino Pookunna Pookkal (1982), Football (1982), Parasparam (1983), Manasariyathe (1984), Punnaram Cholli Cholli (1985), Choodatha Pookal (1985), and many more.
After her marriage in 1986 wit Aaditya Pancholi, she cut off her work to focus on her family. She had two children, daughter Sana and son, Sooraj. Sana has followed in her mother’s footsteps and pursued a career in acting. Sooraj, on the other hand, has had a more tumultuous path. He was arrested in connection with the death of actress Jiah Khan, but later get acquitted.
Later Years
In the late 2000s Zarina made a comeback in character roles in films like Dil Maange More!!! (2004) Kisna (2004). She acted in My Name Is Khan (2010) as Shah Rukh Khan’s mother. In 2012, she played the role made famous by Rohini Hattangadi in Agneepath (2012) as Vijay Dinanath Chauhan’s mother . Her role as the manipulative mother in law of Priyanka Chopra in Dil Dhadakne Do (2015) is a fan favourite. He hillarious dialoug “Main Apne Pran Tyag Dungi,” with a straight face is epic.
She acted in films like Rakta Charitra (2010), Himmatwala (2013), Vishwaroopam (2013), Bobby Jasoos (2014), Chalk n Duster (2016), PM Narendra Modi (2019) and Tiku Weds Sheru (2024), Devara: Part 1 (2024), Jaat (2025)
She also acted in many crtically acclaimed Malayalam films, including “Calendar,” “Aagathan,” “Naayika,” “Adaminte Makan Abu,” and “Viswasapoorvam Mansoo.”
Zarina has also appeared in various television serials, showcasing her versatility as an actress. Some of her notable serials include Babul Ki Duwayen Leti Jaa, Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, Heena, Tumhari Disha, Yahaaan Main Ghar Ghar Kheli, Madhubala Ek Ishq Ek Junoon, FIR, and Meri Awaaz Hi Pehchaan Hai, among athers.
She continues to be active in the industry, taking on roles on OTT shows like Tanaav (2022), Taj: Divided by Blood (2003), Tooth Pari: When Love Bites(2003), Kafas (2003), and P I Meena (2003).
Personal Life
Zarina met Aditya Pancholi on the set of Kalank Ka Tika. They married on January 27, 1986, despite concerns of her being six years older then Pancholi. They have two children: daughter Sana, an actress, and son Sooraj, also an actor.
Zarina’s marriage to Aditya Pancholi sparked debate due to their interfaith union and age gap. Their marriage faced public scrutiny due to Aditya’s rumored affairs, but they remain together. Aditya’s alleged affairs with Kangana Ranaut was the biggest blow to the marriage. Their son Sooraj also an actor, on the other hand, has had a more tumultuous path. He was arrested in connection with the death of actress Jiah Khan, but later get acquitted.
Despite the controversies surrounding her husband’s temper, infidelity reports and her son’s legal issues, Zarina has remained a respected figure in the entertainment industry.
Zarina Wahab on IMDB
