Asha Parekh, born on October 2, 1942, is an Indian actress, director, and producer who has left an indelible mark on Hindi cinema. Born into a middle-class Gujarati Jain family in Mumbai, her father, Bachubhai Parekh, hailed from Paldi near Pirana Ahmedabad, Gujarat, while her mother, Sudha Parekh, was a Muslim.

Asha Parekh, known for her vivacious and glamorous roles, leads a life that reflects her on-screen persona. She is an ardent follower of Sai Baba. Her hobbies include dancing and doing yoga. Despite her fame and success, she has remained unmarried throughout her life.

Asha Parekh's career in the film industry spans over four decades, during which she worked in more than 85 films. She made her acting debut as a child artist with the film 'Aasmaan' in 1952. However, her breakthrough came with the film 'Dil Deke Dekho' in 1959, opposite Shammi Kapoor, which established her as a leading actress.

Her career flourished in the 1960s and 1970s with films including

• 'Jab Pyar Kisi Se Hota Hai' (1961),
• 'Bharosa' (1963),
• 'Ziddi' (1964),
• 'Mere Sanam' (1965),
• 'Teesri Manzil' (1966),
• 'Love in Tokyo' (1966),
• 'Do Badan' (1966),
• 'Aaye Din Bahar Ke' (1966),
• 'Upkar' (1967),
• 'Kanyadaan' (1968),
• 'Shikar' (1968),
• 'Aya Sawan Jhoom Ke' (1969),
• 'Sajan' (1969),
• 'Chirag' (1969),
• 'Kati Patang' (1970),
• 'Aan Milo Sajna' (1970),
• 'Mera Gaon Mera Desh' (1971),
• 'Caravan' (1971),
• 'Samadhi' (1972),
• 'Heera' (1973),
• 'Udhar Ka Sindur' (1976),
• 'Main Tulsi Tere Aangan Ki' (1978) and
• 'Kaalia' (1981).

Asha Parekh was the only child of her parents and was the pivot of their lives. After her mother's death, she sold her bungalow and moved into a smaller place to take care of her ailing father until he passed away.

Asha Parekh's filmography is extensive and diverse. She has worked in a wide range of roles, from glamorous and vivacious characters to serious and dramatic ones. Some of her much-loved movies include 'Dil Deke Dekho', 'Teesri Manzil', 'Love in Tokyo', 'Aaye Din Bahar Ke', and 'Kati Patang'.

Asha Parekh's contributions to the field of cinema have been recognized with several accolades. She won the Filmfare Best Actress Award for 'Kati Patang' in 1971. In 1992, she was honored with the Padma Shri by the Government of India. She also received the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award in 2002. In 2020, she was conferred with the Dadasaheb Phalke Award.