Zarine Khan, celebrated model, actress, and wife of veteran actor Sanjay Khan, passed away at the age of 81 in Mumbai on Friday after battling age-related ailments, according to News18. Her demise brought together several Bollywood personalities, including Jaya Bachchan, Rani Mukerji, Hrithik Roshan, and Jackie Shroff, who arrived to offer condolences to her children — Sussanne, Zayed, Farah, and Simone.
But as the industry mourns her loss, Zarine’s story — one of beauty, strength, and silent endurance — has resurfaced, reminding fans of an era where love, fame, and pain intertwined under the glare of stardom.
From Ramp Lights to Reel Life
Before becoming a household name as Sanjay Khan’s wife, Zarine Katrak carved her own space in the entertainment world of the 1960s. She appeared in films like Tere Ghar Ke Samne (1963) alongside Dev Anand and Ek Phool Do Mali, but it was her elegance as a model that made her a familiar face in the glamour circuit.
Her career took a backseat after she married Sanjay Khan in 1966. The couple went on to build a family of four — daughters Sussanne Khan, Simone Arora, Farah Ali Khan, and son Zayed Khan.
Love, Loyalty, and a Scandal that Tested It All
The relationship between Sanjay and Zarine was as talked about as the films he starred in. Their love story, which began when Zarine was only 14, faced a turbulent chapter in 1980 during the shooting of Abdullah, when Sanjay’s name was linked with actress Zeenat Aman.
In a candid appearance on Rendezvous with Simi Garewal, both Sanjay and Zarine addressed the controversy years later. Zarine recalled that she was pregnant with Zayed at the time and had to gather immense strength to stand by her husband amid the storm. “I knew my husband. He might have gone astray, but as an actor’s wife, I had to maintain patience and courage,” she said, adding that she always believed he would return to her.
Her quiet resilience through public scrutiny became emblematic of her grace — a quality that never left her side, even in her later years.
Tragedy struck again in 1990 when a massive fire broke out on the sets of The Sword of Tipu Sultan, leaving Sanjay Khan with 65 percent burns. He underwent 73 surgeries over 13 months, a phase that nearly shattered their family. But Zarine stood firm. She became his pillar of strength, tending to him with care and devotion.
A Life Beyond the Silver Screen
After stepping away from acting, Zarine reinvented herself as an interior designer and author. Her creative flair transformed celebrity homes and hotel spaces, while her cookbooks and lifestyle writings showcased her eye for aesthetics and detail. According to News18, stars like Shabana Azmi, Neelam Kothari, Rakul Preet Singh, and Jackky Bhagnani visited the Khan residence to pay tribute. Jackie Shroff was even seen requesting the paparazzi to behave respectfully as mourners arrived. Hrithik Roshan, former son-in-law to Zarine through his marriage to Sussanne, was spotted leaving visibly emotional after attending the last rites.
But as the industry mourns her loss, Zarine’s story — one of beauty, strength, and silent endurance — has resurfaced, reminding fans of an era where love, fame, and pain intertwined under the glare of stardom.
From Ramp Lights to Reel Life
Before becoming a household name as Sanjay Khan’s wife, Zarine Katrak carved her own space in the entertainment world of the 1960s. She appeared in films like Tere Ghar Ke Samne (1963) alongside Dev Anand and Ek Phool Do Mali, but it was her elegance as a model that made her a familiar face in the glamour circuit.
Her career took a backseat after she married Sanjay Khan in 1966. The couple went on to build a family of four — daughters Sussanne Khan, Simone Arora, Farah Ali Khan, and son Zayed Khan.
Love, Loyalty, and a Scandal that Tested It All
The relationship between Sanjay and Zarine was as talked about as the films he starred in. Their love story, which began when Zarine was only 14, faced a turbulent chapter in 1980 during the shooting of Abdullah, when Sanjay’s name was linked with actress Zeenat Aman.
In a candid appearance on Rendezvous with Simi Garewal, both Sanjay and Zarine addressed the controversy years later. Zarine recalled that she was pregnant with Zayed at the time and had to gather immense strength to stand by her husband amid the storm. “I knew my husband. He might have gone astray, but as an actor’s wife, I had to maintain patience and courage,” she said, adding that she always believed he would return to her.
Her quiet resilience through public scrutiny became emblematic of her grace — a quality that never left her side, even in her later years.
Tragedy struck again in 1990 when a massive fire broke out on the sets of The Sword of Tipu Sultan, leaving Sanjay Khan with 65 percent burns. He underwent 73 surgeries over 13 months, a phase that nearly shattered their family. But Zarine stood firm. She became his pillar of strength, tending to him with care and devotion.
A Life Beyond the Silver Screen
After stepping away from acting, Zarine reinvented herself as an interior designer and author. Her creative flair transformed celebrity homes and hotel spaces, while her cookbooks and lifestyle writings showcased her eye for aesthetics and detail. According to News18, stars like Shabana Azmi, Neelam Kothari, Rakul Preet Singh, and Jackky Bhagnani visited the Khan residence to pay tribute. Jackie Shroff was even seen requesting the paparazzi to behave respectfully as mourners arrived. Hrithik Roshan, former son-in-law to Zarine through his marriage to Sussanne, was spotted leaving visibly emotional after attending the last rites.
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