Veteran actress Zeenat Aman has recounted a striking personal memory from her younger years, sharing on social media how she lost a luxury Rolex watch gifted by a wealthy friend during a high-profile charity cricket match attended by late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. The incident, which unfolded at an MPs versus actors benefit game organised for the Prime Minister's Relief Fund in New Delhi, left the then-younger actor devastated — but also became a turning point in how she approached material possessions.

The gift that became a casualty

Ameena, a fabulously wealthy friend with a billionaire husband of Arab origin, had gifted Aman the expensive Rolex after noticing her fondness for timepieces. The watch, worth considerably more than anything the actor had owned at the time, quickly became her most treasured accessory, worn almost daily.

The fateful cricket match

When the charity cricket match was organised in New Delhi to raise funds for the Prime Minister's Relief Fund, Aman decided to participate. Players were instructed to remove all jewellery and accessories before taking the field, so she placed the Rolex inside her handbag and entrusted it to filmmaker Muzaffar Ali, who volunteered to safeguard the players' belongings. Upon returning from the match, Aman discovered her bag was the only one missing from the pile — along with the irreplaceable watch inside.

The emotional toll and aftermath

The theft left Aman deeply shaken, though she maintained composure given the high-profile nature of the event and the presence of Indira Gandhi. The incident proved so disheartening that it deterred her from wearing expensive watches for decades. Only recently, her sons gifted her a Cartier timepiece to mark a special occasion, rekindling her connection to luxury watches.

A reflection on loss and resilience

Now 74, Aman used the anecdote to invite her social media followers to share their own experiences of theft or loss. The story underscores how even celebrated figures navigate vulnerability and the unpredictability of public spaces, even when surrounded by prominent personalities and security. Her candour about the incident reflects a broader willingness to revisit painful memories with humour and perspective.

Aman, born on 19 November 1951, remains a towering figure in Hindi cinema, with blockbuster films including Hare Rama Hare Krishna, Yaadon Ki Baaraat, Don, Satyam Shivam Sundaram, and Qurbani cementing her legacy as one of the industry's most iconic performers.