Mumtaz (actress)

Mumtaz Askari Madhvani (born 31 July 1947) is a retired Indian actress. Primarily known for her work in Hindi films, she is the recipient of a Filmfare Award, and the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award, for her contributions to Hindi cinema.[1]

Not to be confused with Mumtaj.

Mumtaz
Mumtaz in 2020
Born
Mumtaz Askari

(1947-07-31) 31 July 1947
Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
CitizenshipIndian (1947-present)
British (1978-present)
OccupationActress
Years active1958–1977
Spouse(s)
​
(m. 1974)​
Children2 (Natasha and Tanya)
RelativesShahrukh Askari (Brother)
Shahzat Askari (Brother)
Malika (Sister)
Randhawa (brother-in-law)
Shaad Randhawa (nephew)
Fardeen Khan (son-in-law)
Feroz Khan (in-law)

Born into poverty in an urban slum in Mumbai, Mumtaz made her acting debut at age 11 with Sone ki Chidiya (1958). Following smaller roles as a teenager in films like; Stree (1961), Sehra (1963), and Gehra Daag (1963), Mumtaz progressed to leading roles with a series of action films opposite wrestler Dara Singh in films like; Faulad (1963), and Daku Mangal Singh (1966). However, her appearance in these films typecasted her as "Stunt Film Heroine" and her career stalled. Following praised supporting work in films like; Ram Aur Shyam (1967), Mere Hamdam Mere Dost (1968), and Brahmachari (1968), Mumtaz had her career breakthrough with Raj Khosla's family drama Do Raaste (1969). She went on to establish herself as one of the leading actresses of Hindi cinema with films like; Bandhan (1969), Aadmi Aur Insaan (1969), Sachaa Jhutha (1970), Khilona (1970), Tere Mere Sapne (1971), Hare Rama Hare Krishna (1971), Apna Desh (1972), Loafer (1973), Jheel Ke Us Paar (1973), Chor Machaye Shor (1974), Aap Ki Kasam (1974), Roti (1974), Prem Kahani (1975), and Nagin (1976). Following her appearance in the drama Aaina (1977), Mumtaz took a sabbatical from acting for 13 years, making her comeback with Aandhiyan (1990), following which she retired from acting.

During her acting career, Mumtaz carved a niche and became known for her versatility and escaping typecasting, which initially had stalled her career in the first place. She became a prominent sex symbol during the 1970s and established herself as the highest paid woman in the Indian entertainment industry from the late 1960s to the mid-1970s. Since her retirement from acting, she has settled in London with her husband, Ugandan businessman Mayur Madhvani with whom she has two daughters. She has been an advocate for Breast Cancer survivors, and has appeared in the documentary 1 a Minute (2010)

Early life

Mumtaz was born to Abdul Saleem Askari (a dry fruits vendor) and Shadi Habib Agha who hailed from Mashhad, Iran. They got divorced just one year after she was born.[2][3][4] Her younger sister is actor Mallika who was married to wrestler and Indian actor Randhawa - younger brother of wrestler and actor Dara Singh.[5]

Career

Mumtaz appeared as a child actress in Sone Ki Chidiya (1958). As a teenager she acted as an extra in Vallah Kya Baat Hai, Stree and Sehra in the early 1960s. As an adult, her first role in A-grade films was that of the role of the sister of the hero in O. P. Ralhan's Gehra Daag.[6] She got small roles in successful films such as Mujhe Jeene Do. Later, she got the role of the main lead heroine in 16 action films, including Faulad, Veer Bhimsen, Tarzan Comes to Delhi, Sikandar-E-Azam, Rustom-E-Hind, Raaka, and Daku Mangal Singh, with freestyle wrestler Dara Singh, and was labelled as a stunt-film heroine. In the films that Dara Singh and Mumtaz did together, Dara's remuneration was INR 450,000 per film, and Mumtaz's salary was INR 250,000 per film.[7]

Mumtaz in 1972 film Tangewala

It took Raj Khosla's blockbuster Do Raaste (1969), starring Rajesh Khanna, to finally make Mumtaz a full-fledged star. Although Mumtaz had a minor role, director Khosla filmed four songs with her.[8] The film made her popular, and she acknowledged that even though she had a small role, it was still one of her favourite films.[6] In 1969, her films Do Raaste and Bandhan, with Rajesh Khanna, became top grossers of the year, earning around 65 million and 28 million respectively.[9] She played Rajendra Kumar's leading lady in Tangewala. Shashi Kapoor, who had earlier refused to work with her in Saccha Jootha because she was a "stunt-film heroine", now wanted her to be his heroine in Chor Machaye Shor (1973). She acted opposite Dharmendra as the lead heroine in films such as Loafer and Jheel Ke Us Paar (1973).

She won the Filmfare Best Actress Award for one of her favourite films Khilona in 1970, and she was "very happy that the audience accepted her in an emotional role".[6] Mumtaz frequently acted with Feroz Khan in hits such as Mela (1971), Apradh (1972) and Nagin (1976). Her pairing with Rajesh Khanna was the most successful in a total of 10 films.[10] She quit films after her film Aaina (1977) to concentrate on her family. She made a comeback 13 years later with her final film Aandhiyan in 1990.

Personal life

Mumtaz married businessman Mayur Madhvani in 1974. They have two daughters, one of whom, Natasha, married actor Feroz Khan's son Fardeen Khan in 2006.

Relationships

Shammi Kapoor loved her and wanted to marry her too but Mumtaz was not ready to leave her filmy career at her early age as Kapoor didn't want his wife to work in the film industry after getting married.[11][12]

Filmography
Year Title RoleNotes
1961 Stree
1962 Vallah Kya Baat Hai Mala – Kelewali
1963 Sehra Juhi
1963 Rustom Sohrab Shehroo
1963 Mujhe Jeene Do Farida – Dhara's sister
1963 Gehra Daag Asha
1963 Faulad Rajkumari Padma
1964 Veer Bhimsen
1964 Samson Princess Shera
1964 Qawwali Ki Raat
1964 Hercules
1964 Baaghi
1964 Aandhi Aur Toofan
1965 Tarzan Rekha
1965 King Kong
1965 Son of Hatimtai
1965 Sikandar-e-Azam Cynthia
1965 Rustom-E-Hind
1965 Raaka
1965 Mere Sanam Kamini (Kamo)
1965 Khandan Neelima
1965 Kaajal Jharna
1965 Jadui Angoothi
1965 Hum Diwane
1965 Do Dil Albeli
1965 Boxer
1965 Bahu Beti Savitri
1966 Pyas Sudha
1966 Yeh Raat Phir Na Aayegi Reeta
1966 Sawan Ki Ghata Saloni
1966 Saaz Aur Awaaz
1966 Rustom Kaun
1966 Pyar Kiye Jaa Meena Priyadarshini
1966 Pati Patni Kala
1966 Ladka Ladki Asha
1966 Jawan Mard
1966 Daku Mangal Singh Princess Aruna
1966 Daadi Maa Seema
1966 Suraj Kalavati
1967 Woh Koi Aur Hoga Seema
1967 Ram Aur Shyam Shanta
1967 Patthar Ke Sanam Meena
1967 Hamraaz Shabnam
1967 Do Dushman
1967 CID 909 Reshma
1967 Chandan Ka Palna Sadhana
1967 Boond Jo Ban Gayee Moti Shefali
1967 Baghdad Ki Raatein
1967 Aag Paro
1968 Mere Hamdam Mere Dost Meena
1968 Jung Aur Aman
1968 Jahan Mile Dharti Akash
1968 Golden Eyes Secret Agent 077
1968 Gauri Geeta
1968 Brahmachari Roopa Sharma
1968 Apna Ghar Apni Kahani
1969 Shart Sapna Singh
1969 Mera Yaar Mera Dushman
1969 Mera Dost
1969 Jigri Dost Shobha Das
1969 Do Raaste Reena
1969 Bandhan Gauri Malikram
1969 Apna Khoon Apna Dushman
1969 Aadmi Aur Insaan Rita
1970 Sachaa Jhutha Meena/Rita
1970 Pardesi Myna
1970 Khilona Chand
1970 Humjoli MeenaGuest appearance
1970 Himmat Malti
1970 Ek Nanhi Munni Ladki Thi
1970 Bhai Bhai Bijli
1970 Maa Aur Mamta Mary
1971 Mela Laajo
1971 Ladki Pasand Hai
1971 Kathputli Nisha
1971 Ek Nari Ek Brahmachari Meena
1971 Chaahat Sheela
1971 Upaasna Shalu (also Kiran)
1971 Tere Mere Sapne Nisha Patel/Nisha Kumar
1971 Hare Rama Hare Krishna Shanti
1971 Dushman Phoolmati
1972 Tangewala Paro/Chandika
1972 Shararat Radha/Meeta
1972 Pyaar Diwana Mamta
1972 Gomti Ke Kinare Roshni
1972 Dharkan Rekha Prasad
1972 Apradh Meena/Rita
1972 Apna Desh Chanda/Madame Popololita
1972 Roop Tera Mastana Princess Usha/KiranDouble role
1973 Pyaar Ka Rishta
1973 Bandhe Haath Mala
1973 Loafer Anju
1973 Jheel Ke Us Paar Neelu
1974 Chor Machaye Shor Rekha
1974 Aap Ki Kasam Sunita
1974 Roti Bijli
1975 Prem Kahani Kamini
1975 Lafange Sapna
1975 Aag Aur Toofan
1976 Nagin Rajkumari
1977 Aaina Shalini
1990 Aandhiyan Shakuntala
2010 1 a Minute HerselfDocudrama film

Awards

Mumtaz won the Filmfare Award for Best Actress for Khilona in 1970. Actually, no one was interested in accepting the role of "Chaand" for Khilona, just because she was a prostitute in the storyline. But with that role Mumtaz bagged her only Filmfare Award.[13]

During her career, she was awarded with one Filmfare Award for Best Actress, out of three nominations, and one BFJA Award for Best Supporting Actress.[14]

Winner

Nominated

References
  1. Jha, Subhash (30 July 2012). "Mumtaz: I am lonely". The Times of India.
  2. "Mumtaz -The Asian Age". The Asian Age. The Asian Age. Retrieved 7 March 2018.
  3. "Mumtaz's Life In Pics". Indiatimes. Times Internet Limited. 31 July 2013. Retrieved 7 March 2018.
  4. "Mumtaz turns 70: Did you know Shammi Kapoor and Jeetendra were in love with the actor?". Hindustan Times. HT Media Limited. 31 July 2017. Retrieved 7 March 2018.
  5. "Mumtaz: Dara Singh's kindness got me my first role". Times of India. Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd. Retrieved 7 March 2018.
  6. 1–3. An interview with Mumtaz. 22 September 2006. Yahoo.com. Archived 15 November 2006 at the Wayback Machine
  7. "Mumtaz: Dara Singh's kindness got me my first role". Times of India. 13 July 2012. Retrieved 23 July 2012.
  8. Dinesh Raheja (August 2002). "The oomph and spirit of Mumtaz". Rediff.com. Retrieved 23 July 2012.
  9. "Box Office 1969". BoxOfficeIndia.com. Archived from the original on 7 February 2009. Retrieved 23 July 2012.
  10. "Mumtaz: Rajesh Khanna was very close to me". Rediff.com. 18 July 2012. Retrieved 23 July 2012.
  11. "Men Actress Mumtaz loved and lost! - Times of India". The Times of India.
  12. "Mumtaz turns 70: Did you know Shammi Kapoor and Jeetendra were in love with the actor?". Hindustan Times. 31 July 2017.
  13. "खिलोना सिनेमात मुमताझला कशी मिळाली महत्त्वाची भूमिका? - Maharashtra Times". Maharashtra Times. Retrieved 28 November 2015.
  14. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 22 December 2015. Retrieved 10 December 2015.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  15. "Top Bollywood sex symbols of all time". India Tribune. Retrieved 23 July 2012.
  16. "IIFA to honour Rehman, Benegal and Mumtaz". DNA. 17 May 2008. Retrieved 23 July 2012.
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