A true legend of the silver screen, Mumtaz, marks her 78th birthday this July 31st. She started her acting journey at just 12 years old. From a junior artist, she rose to become a superstar. Her career includes memorable films like ‘Khilona,’ ‘Ram Aur Shyam,’ and ‘Do Raaste.’ She also shared the screen with giants like Dilip Kumar, Rajesh Khanna, Jeetendra, and Amitabh Bachchan. Let’s dive into some fascinating stories from her life.
Mumtaz was born on July 31, 1947. Her father, Abdus Saleem Askari, was a dry fruit seller. Her mother, Shadi Habib Agha, came from an Iranian family. Her father’s family were imams. Her parents divorced a year after she was born. Film industry ties ran in her family. Her mother and aunt worked as junior artists. Her elder sister, Mallika, married actor Randhawa, who was Dara Singh’s brother.
Mumtaz started acting when she was very young. She made her debut as a child actress in the 1958 film ‘Sone Ki Chidiya.’ In the 1960s, she continued to work in films like ‘Wallah Kya Baat Hai,’ ‘Stree,’ and ‘Sehra.’ Her first major success was the film ‘Mujhe Jeene Do.’
By the age of 16, Mumtaz began to take on lead roles. She starred in films such as ‘Foulaad’ (1963), ‘Veer Bhimsen’ (1964), and ‘Rustam-e-Hind.’ She worked on 16 films with the legendary Dara Singh. In those films, Dara Singh reportedly earned 450,000 rupees per film. Mumtaz, meanwhile, received 250,000 rupees per film. Their partnership was highly successful, with 12 out of their 16 films becoming big hits.
In an interview, Mumtaz shared a fascinating detail about her career. She credited Dara Singh for helping her get better film offers. Once she became a big name, many prominent actors who had previously refused to work with her suddenly wanted to. This list included famous personalities like Shammi Kapoor, Sanjeev Kapoor, Jeetendra, and Dev Anand.
Mumtaz’s personal life also had its share of drama. Shammi Kapoor, a renowned actor of that time, was deeply in love with her. He even proposed marriage. However, Shammi Kapoor’s family had one condition: Mumtaz would have to quit acting after marriage. Mumtaz found this condition unacceptable. So, their wedding never happened. She eventually married businessman Mayur Madhvani in 1974. They have two daughters, Natasha Madhvani and Tanya Madhvani. Natasha Madhvani is married to actor Fardeen Khan.
Mumtaz starred in the most films with the superstar Rajesh Khanna. She stands out as one of the few actresses of her generation who always maintained her fitness. She also remains active on social media. This is quite a unique achievement for an actress from her era. She celebrates her 78th birthday with this incredible legacy.
Awards and Recognition
Mumtaz’s talent was widely recognized. She received the Filmfare Award for Best Actress for her outstanding performance in the film ‘Khilona.’ She was also nominated for the Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress for her roles in ‘Ram Aur Shyam’ (1967) and ‘Aadmi Aur Insaan’ (1969).