In our newest special edition of 'Forgotten Divas' we recall the glorious stalwarts of old days and legendary actress Mumtaz inaugurates it. As you go through the glamorous lady's life in pics prepare yourself for more action.
In our newest special edition of 'Forgotten Divas' we recall the glorious stalwarts of old days and legendary actress Mumtaz inaugurates it. As you go through the glamorous lady's life in pics prepare yourself for more action.
Legendary actress Mumtaaz was born on July 31, 1947 to Abdul Saleem Askari and Shadi Habib Agha. Though she is of Iranian origin, she was born and brought up in Bombay.
The actress entered the film industry at the tender age of 12. Touted by many as the most beautiful Bollywood actress of all time, Mumtaz acted in over a hundred films in a career of just 12 years.
According to reports the graceful actress was dating actor Shammi Kapoor in the late 60s. Who can forget Mumtaz strutting about in the gorgeous red saree wooing Shammi in the song Aaj Kal Tere Mere.
The queen of million hearts married millionaire Mayur Madhvani on May 29 1974. They have two daughters Natasha and Tanya.
The elder daughter Natasha married actor Fardeen Khan, son of Feroz Khan, in an extravagant ceremony, in December 2005.
The bubbly and ever-chirpy Mumtaaz successfully battled cancer with her positive attitude. The extremely hard-working actress slowly carved a niche for herself in the industry.
After years of media speculation on her married life, Mumtaaz publicly acknowledged that she had gone through a rocky phase, also adding that the couple had managed to resolve their issues.
In the early 60s, she started with minor roles in Sehra, Mujhe Jeene Do, Samson, Faulad, Hercules, Rustom-E-Hind, Veer Bhimsen, Sikander-E-Azam and Bhagi which did not get her the debut she desired for.
Her continued appearance opposite freestyle wrestler Dara Singh made her ‘Dara's heroine' in the industry's eyes. She was the original ‘stunt film heroine'. Later in 1966, she again acted in Daku Mangal Singh with the actor.
The attractive lady first got attention for Mere Sanam. Also starring Asha Parekh and Biswajeet, the film was a hit at the box office.
The song Yeh Hai Reshmi got Mumtaz noticed.
Yet again, in Khandan, Suraj and Do Dil she was seen in supporting roles. The movies failed to add to her star value and she still could not a carry a movie on her own.
Then in 1967 came Ram Aur Shyam where she played one of Dilip Kumar's leading ladies and Mumtaz finally received her first Filmfare nomination for Best Supporting Actress.
Fans flocked to theatres to see her dance in Aye Dushman Jaan in another big-budget film Patthar Ke Sanam.
Soon after, Mumtaz was flooded with offers , but still not lead roles.
She supported Sharmila Tagore in several films in the late 1960s, such as Saawan Ki Ghata, Yeh Raat Phir Na Aayegi and Mere Humdum Mere Dost.
Next in line was Brahmachari, where she starred opposite then boy-friend Shammi Kapoor. She received the BFJA Award for Best Supporting Actress for her performance.
Do Raaste in 1969 finally gave the actress much needed recognition. Pairing her up with Rajesh Khanna , Raj Khosla managed to bring out the star in Mumtaaz.
The film made her hugely popular.
For Khilona in 1970, where she starred with Sanjeev Kumar, she won Filmfare Best Actress award. Mumtaaz appreciated that the audience accepted her in an emotional role.
Now that she had established herself firmly in the industry her demand rose. With Feroz Khan she delivered movies which performed above average at the box-office. These included Aadmi Aur Insaan(also starring Dharmendra), Mela, Upaasna and Apradh which released successfully one after the other .
After Aadmi Aur Insaan, the actress teamed up with Dharmendra again in 1973 for Jheel Ke Us Paar.
Her pairing with Jeetendra was also received positively. The couple acted in a lot of movies from Jigri Dost in 1969 to Kathputli, Chaahat and Roop Tera Mastaana in the early 70s.
She was also now Shashi Kapoor's leading lady in a number of movies like Chor Machaye Shor and Prem Kahani (also starring Rajesh Khanna).
Superstar Rajesh Khanna and Mumtaaz made a striking jodi together and delivered a number of hits. Bandhan, Sachcha Jhuta, Dushman, Apna Desh, Roti and Aap ki Kasam are the few famous ones.
She also starred in Tere Mere Sapne opposite Dev Anand, who also produced the movie.
Later the pair appeared in Hare Raam Hare Krishna which was a huge hit.
Among her other significant films are Tangewala, Pyaar Diwanawith Kishore Kumar, Dhadkan and Bandhe Haath with Amitabh Bachchan.
Towards the end of her career in the late 70s she was seen in a supporting role in Naagin and then in Aaina.
Her last appearance was in Aandhiyan, after which she left acting and got married.
Mumtaz will next be seen in UniGlobe Entertainment's Cancer docudrama 1 a Minute with Olivia Newton-John, Namrata Singh Gujral, Barbara Mori, Lisa Ray, Deepak Chopra and Morgan Brittany.
In 1996 she received the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement award.
She was honoured by the International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) in Bangkok in 2008.
