Asha Parekh Turns 70 ( DOB Oct 02,1942)

Asha Parekh started her career as a child artist under the screen name Baby Asha Parekh in the film Aasmaan (1952)
Director Bimal Roy saw her dance at a stage function and cast her at the age of twelve in Baap Beti (1954). The film's failure disappointed her and even though she did a couple more child roles, she quit to resume her schooling.

At 16 she decided to try acting again,Film Producer Subodh Mukherjee  and Writer-Director Nasir Hussain  cast her as the heroine in Dil Deke Dekho  (1959) opposite Shammi Kapoor which made her a huge star.

Nasir Hussain went on to cast her as the heroine in 6 more of his films -
Jab Pyar Kisi Se Hota hai(1961)

Phir Wohi Dil Laya Hoon(1963)

Teesri Manzil(1966)

Baharon Ke Sapne(1967)

Pyar Ka Mausam(1969) and

Caravan(1971)

Raj Khosla gave her a serious image by casting her in tragedienne roles in 3 of her favourite films -
Do Badan(1966)

Chirag(1969) and

Main Tulsi Tere Aangan Ki(1978)

Director Sakthi Samanta gave her more dramatic roles in -
Pagla Kahin Ka(1970) and

Kati Patang(1970) which earned her the Filmfare Best Actress Award

After her days as a leading lady ended,Asha Parekh  took on supporting roles as bhabhi (sister-in-law) and mother, but she called this the "awkward phase" of her career. So she stopped acting in films.Asha Parekhstopped acting in 1995 to pursue directing and producing television serials.

Asha Parekh became a television director in the early 1990s with a Gujarati serial Jyoti. She formed a production company Akruti and produced serials like Palash ke Phool, Baaje Payal, Kora Kagaz and a comedy Dal Mein Kaala

Asha Parekh was the President of the Cine Artistes' Association from 1994 to 2000.

Asha Parekh was the first female chairperson of the Central Board of Film Certification (Censor Board) of India from 1998 to 2001.

Asha Parekh received the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award in 2002

Asha Parekh received the International India Film Academy (IIFA) Lifetime Achievement Award in 2006

Personal life

Asha Parekh remained unmarried and concentrates on her dance academy Kara Bhavan and the Asha Parekh Hospital in Santa Cruz,Mumbai, named in her honour because of her many humanitarian contributions.

Celebrities who attend Asha Parekh's 70th birthdayCelebrations

Asha Parekh cuts her birthday cake while Sushmita Sen and Aruna Irani looks on

Dilip Kumar with his wife Saira Banu and Asha Parekh

Amitabh Bachchab with wife Jaya and Asha Bhonsle

Amitabh Bachchan and his wife Jaya Bachchan with Asha Parekh

Shabana Azmi and Javed Akhat look at the collage put up at the party

Director Ramesh Sippy with Wife Kiran

Juhi Chawla with her husband Jai Mehta

Actor Jackie Shroff  with Actor Manoj Kumar and others guests present at the party

Helen and Waheeda Rehman at Asha Parekh's party

Asha Parekh poses for the cameras with Imran Khan and his wife Avantika

 Shriram Nene greets Asha Parekh while Madhuri Dixit looks on

Comedian Johnny Lever with Madhuri Dixit and her husband Shriram Nene