Asha Parekh, an alumnus of Bombay The J.B. Petit Girls High School, devoted after-school hours to learning classical dance from exacting gurus. Given a break as a leading lady by Filmily Studio Sashadhar Mukherjee, she debuted opposite Shammi Kapoor in the entertainer Dil Deke Dekho (1959). Instantaneously, the audience and the critics agreed, star is born.
Followed a concatenation of silver and golden jubilee hits, which established her as the quintessential Hit Girl.
Her innumerable dance ballets on stage have earned her incalculable acclaim, at home and overseas.
Among her other facets, she has been involved since decades in running a charitable hospital.
She was Chairperson of the Central Board of Film Certification (1998-2001) and has been associated with the Cine and TV Artist Associations and other organisations dedicated to the welfare of film industry workers, technicians and actors.
She turned producer and director with several top TRP-rated TV serials like Kora Kagaz and Palash ke Phool.
Currently she has chosen to retire from acting, but adds, Never say never. She lives by the famed Juhu shoreline in Mumbai.