Mumtaz (Indian actress)

{{Short description|Indian actress (born 1947)}}

{{Distinguish|Mumtaj}}

{{Use Indian English|date=March 2024}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2024}}

{{Infobox person

| name = Mumtaz

| image = Mumtaz (cropped).jpg

| caption = Mumtaz in 2010

| native_name =

| birth_name = Mumtaz Askari

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=y|1947|07|31}}

| birth_place = Hyderabad, British India, (Now in Telangana, India)

| years_active = 1958–1977, 1990

| occupation = Actress

| children = 2 (Natasha and Tanya)

| relatives = Malika (sister)
Randhawa (brother-in-law)
Shaad Randhawa (nephew)
Fardeen Khan (son-in-law)

| spouse = {{marriage|Mayur Madhvani|29 May 1974}}

}}

Mumtaz Askari Madhvani (née Askari; born 31 July 1947), known mononymously as Mumtaz is an Indian actress who worked in Hindi films. Regarded as one of the finest and most beautiful actress of Hindi cinema, Mumtaz is the recipient of two Filmfare Awards. Mumtaz made her acting debut at age 11 with Lajwanti (1958), Sone Ki Chidiya (1958), and did smaller roles in films like Stree (1961) and Sehra (1963).{{cite news |last1=Jha |first1=Subhash |title=Mumtaz: I am lonely |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/Mumtaz-I-am-lonely/articleshow/15274809.cms |work=The Times of India |date=30 July 2012 |access-date=15 October 2019 |archive-date=18 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180918132241/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/Mumtaz-I-am-lonely/articleshow/15274809.cms |url-status=live }}

Mumtaz was typecasted as a "stunt film heroine", with Faulad (1963) and Daku Mangal Singh (1966), which stalled her career. After being praised for her work in Ram Aur Shyam (1967), Mere Hamdam Mere Dost (1968) and Brahmachari (1968), Mumtaz had her career breakthrough Do Raaste (1969). She went on to establish herself as one of the leading actress with films such as - {{Lang|hi-latn|Bandhan}} (1969), Aadmi Aur Insaan (1969), Sachaa Jhutha (1970), Khilona (1970), which won her the Filmfare Award for Best Actress, 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).

After this, she went on a sabbatical of 13 years, the 1990 film Aandhiyan, marked her final film appearance before retirement. Since she retired from acting, Mumtaz 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 2010 documentary 1 a Minute.

Early life

Mumtaz was born to Abdul Salim Askari (a dry fruits vendor) and Shadi Habib Agha who hailed from Mashhad, Iran. They got divorced just one year after she was born.{{cite web |title=Mumtaz – The Asian Age |url=https://dailyasianage.com/print-news/77094 |website=The Asian Age |access-date=7 March 2018 |archive-date=8 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220308054318/https://dailyasianage.com/print-news/77094 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |title=Mumtaz's Life In Pics |url=https://www.indiatimes.com/culture/who-we-are/mumtazs-life-in-pics-291996-1.html |website=The Times of India |publisher=Times Internet Limited. |access-date=7 March 2018 |date=31 July 2013 |archive-date=13 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191213092126/https://www.indiatimes.com/culture/who-we-are/mumtazs-life-in-pics-291996-1.html |url-status=live }}{{cite web |title=Mumtaz turns 70: Did you know Shammi Kapoor and Jeetendra were in love with the actor? |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/mumtaz-turns-70-did-you-know-shammi-kapoor-and-jeetendra-were-in-love-with-the-actor/story-8N5tdWG9OHDWAFc5K3SqeI.html |website=Hindustan Times |publisher=HT Media Limited |access-date=7 March 2018 |date=31 July 2017 |archive-date=7 June 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190607114226/https://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/mumtaz-turns-70-did-you-know-shammi-kapoor-and-jeetendra-were-in-love-with-the-actor/story-8N5tdWG9OHDWAFc5K3SqeI.html |url-status=live }} Her elder sister is actor Mallika who was married to wrestler and Indian actor Randhawa – younger brother of wrestler and actor Dara Singh.{{cite news |title=Mumtaz: Dara Singh's kindness got me my first role |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/Mumtaz-Dara-Singhs-kindness-got-me-my-first-role/articleshow/14847676.cms |website=The Times of India |date=13 July 2012 |publisher=Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd. |access-date=7 March 2018 |archive-date=6 December 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171206003219/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/Mumtaz-Dara-Singhs-kindness-got-me-my-first-role/articleshow/14847676.cms |url-status=live }}

Career

File:Mumtaz (actress).jpg

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. 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.{{cite news |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/news-interviews/Mumtaz-Dara-Singhs-kindness-got-me-my-first-role/articleshow/14847676.cms |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130928094709/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-07-13/news-interviews/32649724_1_dara-singh-first-film-stunts |url-status=live |archive-date=28 September 2013 |title=Mumtaz: Dara Singh's kindness got me my first role |date=13 July 2012 |newspaper=The Times of India |access-date=23 July 2012}}

She received two nominations for the Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress for her performances in Ram Aur Shyam (1967) and Aadmi Aur Insaan (1969). It took Raj Khosla's blockbuster family drama Do Raaste (1969), starring Rajesh Khanna, to finally make Mumtaz a full-fledged star. Mumtaz had a decorative heroine's role and director Khosla had filmed four songs with her.{{cite web |url=http://indiaabroad.com/entertai/2002/aug/21dinesh.htm |title=The oomph and spirit of Mumtaz |date=August 2002 |work=Rediff.com |author=Dinesh Raheja |access-date=23 July 2012 |author-link=Dinesh Raheja |archive-date=20 September 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160920121327/http://indiaabroad.com/entertai/2002/aug/21dinesh.htm |url-status=dead }} The film made her popular, and she acknowledged that even though she had a small role, it was one of her most favourite films. Do Raaste and {{Lang|hi-latn|Bandhan}}, both with Rajesh Khanna, became the top grossers of the year 1969, earning around Rs. 65 million and Rs. 28 million respectively.{{cite web |url=http://boxofficeindia.com/showProd.php?itemCat=175&catName=MTk2OQ== |title=Box Office 1969 |publisher=Box Office India |access-date=23 July 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090207075843/http://boxofficeindia.com/showProd.php?itemCat=175&catName=MTk2OQ== |archive-date=7 February 2009}} This was followed by a heroine-oriented role in Khilona in 1970, for which she won her first and only Filmfare Award for Best Actress and was "very happy that the audience accepted her in an emotional role". Her pairing with Rajesh Khanna was the most successful, with a total of 10 films.{{cite web |date=18 July 2012 |title=Mumtaz: Rajesh Khanna was very close to me |url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/report/mumtaz-rajesh-khanna-was-very-close-to-me/20120718.htm |access-date=23 July 2012 |work=Rediff.com |archive-date=25 February 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140225083815/http://www.rediff.com/movies/report/mumtaz-rajesh-khanna-was-very-close-to-me/20120718.htm |url-status=live }} Mumtaz frequently acted with Feroz Khan and gave hits such as Mela (1971), Apradh (1972) and Nagin (1976). She acted opposite Dharmendra in films such as Loafer and Jheel Ke Us Paar (1973). Shashi Kapoor, who had earlier refused Sachaa Jhutha opposite her because she was a "stunt-film heroine" acted with her in Chor Machaye Shor (1973). Mumtaz quit films after the drama Aaina (1977) to concentrate on her family. She made a comeback 13 years later with Aandhiyan (1990) but retired for good when the movie flopped.

Personal life

Mumtaz married businessman Mayur Madhvani in 1974. They have two daughters of whom Natasha is married to Feroz Khan's son Fardeen Khan in 2006. In May 2022, Mumtaz was admitted to Mumbai's Breach Candy Hospital for a stomach infection. Mumtaz had been diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 54. She reportedly underwent six chemotherapies and 35 radiation sessions before becoming cancer-free.{{Cite web |date=6 May 2022 |title=Veteran actor Mumtaz opens about recent health crisis, her cancer history made injecting drips difficult |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/mumtaz-recent-health-crisis-cancer-history-made-injecting-drips-difficult-7903689/ |access-date=9 May 2022 |website=The Indian Express |language=en |archive-date=9 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220509134248/https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/mumtaz-recent-health-crisis-cancer-history-made-injecting-drips-difficult-7903689/ |url-status=live }}

Shammi Kapoor was in love with her and almost proposed marriage, but Mumtaz was not ready to leave her film career (the Kapoors didn't then want married women of their family to work in the film industry).{{cite news |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/Men-Actress-Mumtaz-loved-and-lost/articleshow/15089768.cms |title=Men Actress Mumtaz loved and lost! - Times of India |website=The Times of India |date=23 July 2012 |access-date=19 February 2019 |archive-date=24 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180924060437/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/Men-Actress-Mumtaz-loved-and-lost/articleshow/15089768.cms |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/mumtaz-turns-70-did-you-know-shammi-kapoor-and-jeetendra-were-in-love-with-the-actor/story-8N5tdWG9OHDWAFc5K3SqeI.html |title=Mumtaz turns 70: Did you know Shammi Kapoor and Jeetendra were in love with the actor? |date=31 July 2017 |website=Hindustan Times |access-date=7 March 2018 |archive-date=7 June 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190607114226/https://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/mumtaz-turns-70-did-you-know-shammi-kapoor-and-jeetendra-were-in-love-with-the-actor/story-8N5tdWG9OHDWAFc5K3SqeI.html |url-status=live }} {{ YouTube |title= Mumtaz Interview: Rajesh Khanna-Anju Mahendroo BREAK-UP {{!}} Feroz Khan {{!}} Dev Anand |id=04t8w4zcAOM|time=6m38s}}

Legacy

Mumtaz is regarded as one of the greatest and most beautiful actors of Indian cinema.{{Cite news |title=Top heroines of Bollywood |work=India Today |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/cinema/100-years-of-indian-cinema/photo/top-actresses-of-bollywood-ever-367543-2012-05-01/9 |url-status=live |access-date=24 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201128234730/https://www.indiatoday.in/cinema/100-years-of-indian-cinema/photo/top-actresses-of-bollywood-ever-367543-2012-05-01/9 |archive-date=28 November 2020}}Dinesh Raheja [http://www.rediff.com/entertai/2002/aug/21dinesh.htm The oomph and spirit of Mumtaz] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180925184002/http://www.rediff.com/entertai/2002/aug/21dinesh.htm |date=25 September 2018 }} Rediff.com - Rediff Movies Retrieved 29 December 2021 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. In 2022, she was placed in Outlook India{{'}}s "75 Best Bollywood Actresses" list.{{Cite web |title=75 Bollywood Actresses Who Ruled The Silver Screen With Grace, Beauty And Talent |work=Outlook India |date=16 August 2022 |access-date=16 August 2022 |url=https://www.outlookindia.com/art-entertainment/75-bollywood-actresses-who-ruled-the-silver-screen-with-grace-beauty-and-talent-news-216694/amp |archive-date=16 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220816142138/https://www.outlookindia.com/art-entertainment/75-bollywood-actresses-who-ruled-the-silver-screen-with-grace-beauty-and-talent-news-216694/amp |url-status=live }} One of the highest paid actress from late 1960s to early 1970s, Mumtaz appeared in Box Office India{{'}}s "Top Actresses" list seven times from 1968 to 1974 and topped thrice (1969-1971).{{cite web |title=Top Actresses |url=http://boxofficeindia.com/cpages.php?pageName=top_actress |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120104144753/http://boxofficeindia.com/cpages.php?pageName=top_actress |archive-date=4 January 2012 |access-date=24 April 2020 |work=Box Office India}} Mumtaz was known as a sex symbol during the 1960s and 1970s.{{Cite web |last=admin |date=2023-08-01 |title=Mumtaz: The 'B-Grade Actress' Who Became A Superstar |url=https://indiawest.com/mumtaz-the-b-grade-actress-who-became-a-superstar/ |access-date=2025-02-18 |website=IndiaWest Journal News |language=en-US}} She was placed in Times of India{{'}}s "50 Beautiful Faces" list.{{cite web |title=Photos - 50 Beautiful Faces: 100 years of Indian Cinema |work=Times of India |access-date=25 November 2021 |url=https://photogallery.indiatimes.com/movies/100-yrs-of-indian-cinema/50-beautiful-faces-100-years-of-indian-cinema/morphshow/19693279.cms?from=mdr |archive-date=23 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240123034430/https://photogallery.indiatimes.com/movies/100-yrs-of-indian-cinema/50-beautiful-faces-100-years-of-indian-cinema/morphshow/19693279.cms?from=mdr |url-status=live }} Mumtaz is considered among the hottest Bollywood actresses of all time.{{Cite news |title=Exclusive - 10 hottest Bollywood actresses of all time |work=Bollywood Hungama |url=https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/features/10-hottest-bollywood-actresses-time/ |access-date=26 February 2020 |author=Subhash K. Jha |archive-date=21 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200221122319/https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/amp/news/features/10-hottest-bollywood-actresses-time/ |url-status=live }} Dewy glow and draped sari style were some of the style statements of Mumtaz that are still relevant in the fashion world.{{Cite news |title=Sadhana to Sharmila Tagore: Style trends from the 1960s' actresses you can take inspiration from |work=The Indian Express |url=https://indianexpress.com/photos/lifestyle-gallery/sadhana-to-sharmila-tagore-style-trends-from-the-1960s-actresses-you-can-take-inspiration-from-3079421/lite/ |access-date=13 February 2017 |archive-date=12 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230712123626/https://indianexpress.com/photos/lifestyle-gallery/sadhana-to-sharmila-tagore-style-trends-from-the-1960s-actresses-you-can-take-inspiration-from-3079421/lite/ |url-status=live }}{{cite news |url=http://www.indiatribune.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=5314:top-bollywood-sex-symbols-of-all-time&catid=108:filmi-duniya&Itemid=472 |title=Top Bollywood sex symbols of all time |newspaper=India Tribune |access-date=29 August 2020 |date=23 July 2012 |archive-date=28 September 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130928012820/http://www.indiatribune.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=5314:top-bollywood-sex-symbols-of-all-time&catid=108:filmi-duniya&Itemid=472 |url-status=live }}

Filmography

class="wikitable sortable"
Year

! Title

! Role

Notes
rowspan="2" | 1958

| Sone Ki Chidiya

| Child artist

Talaq

| Child artist

1961

| Stree

|

rowspan="2" | 1962

| Vallah Kya Baat Hai

| Mala

Main Shadi Karne Chala

| Lily

rowspan="5" | 1963

| Sehra

| Juhi

Rustom Sohrab

| Shehroo

Mujhe Jeene Do

| Farida

Gehra Daag

| Asha

Faulad

| Rajkumari Padma

rowspan="6" | 1964

| Veer Bhimsen

|

Samson

| Princess Shera

Qawwali Ki Raat

|

Hercules

|

Baaghi

|

Aandhi Aur Toofan

|

rowspan="14" | 1965

| Tarzan Comes to Delhi

| Rekha

Tarzan and King Kong

|

Son of Hatimtai

|

Sikandar-e-Azam

| Cynthia

Rustom-E-Hind

|

Raaka

|

Mere Sanam

| Kamini (Kamo)

Khandan

| Neelima

Kaajal

| Jharna

Jadui Angoothi

|

Hum Diwane

|

Do Dil

| Albeli

Boxer

|

Bahu Beti

| Savitri

rowspan="12" | 1966

| Pyas

| Sudha

Yeh Raat Phir Na Aayegi

| Reeta

Sawan Ki Ghata

| Saloni

Saaz Aur Awaaz

|

Rustom Kaun

|

Pyar Kiye Jaa

| Meena Priyadarshini

Pati Patni

| Kala

Ladka Ladki

| Asha

Jawan Mard

|

Daku Mangal Singh

| Princess Aruna

Daadi Maa

| Seema

Suraj

| Kalavati

rowspan="10" | 1967

| Woh Koi Aur Hoga

| Seema

Ram Aur Shyam

| Shanta

Patthar Ke Sanam

| Meena

Hamraaz

| Shabnam

Do Dushman

|

CID 909

| Reshma

Chandan Ka Palna

| Sadhana

Boond Jo Ban Gayee Moti

| Shefali

Baghdad Ki Raatein

|

Aag

| Paro

rowspan="6" | 1968

| Mere Hamdam Mere Dost

| Meena

Jahan Mile Dharti Akash

|

Golden Eyes Secret Agent 077

|

Gauri

| Geeta

Brahmachari

| Roopa Sharma

Apna Ghar Apni Kahani

|

rowspan="8" | 1969

| Shart

| Sapna Singh

Mera Yaar Mera Dushman

|

Mera Dost

|

Jigri Dost

| Shobha Das

Do Raaste

| Reena

{{Lang|hi-latn|Bandhan}}

| Gauri Malikram

Apna Khoon Apna Dushman

|

Aadmi Aur Insaan

| Rita

rowspan="8" | 1970

| Sachaa Jhutha

| Meena/Rita

Pardesi

| Myna

Khilona

| Chand

Humjoli

| Meena

Guest appearance
Himmat

| Malti

Ek Nanhi Munni Ladki Thi

|

Bhai Bhai

| Bijli

Maa Aur Mamta

| Mary

rowspan="9" | 1971

| Mela

| Laajo

Ladki Pasand Hai

|

Kathputli

| Nisha

Ek Nari Ek Brahmachari

| Meena

Chaahat

| Sheela

Upaasna

| Shalu (also Kiran)

Tere Mere Sapne

| Nisha Patel/Nisha Kumar

Hare Rama Hare Krishna

| Shanti

Dushman

| Phoolmati

rowspan="8" | 1972

| Tangewala

| Paro/Chandika

Shararat

| Radha/Meeta

Pyaar Diwana

| Mamta

Gomti Ke Kinare

| Roshni

Dharkan

| Rekha Prasad

Apradh

| Meena/Rita

Apna Desh

| Chanda/Madame Popololita

Roop Tera Mastana

| Princess Usha/Kiran

Double role
rowspan="5" | 1973

| Raja Rani

| Herself

Guest appearance
Pyaar Ka Rishta

| Madhu

Bandhe Haath

| Mala

Loafer

| Anju

Jheel Ke Us Paar

| Neelu

rowspan="4" | 1974

| Chor Machaye Shor

| Rekha

Aap Ki Kasam

| Sunita

Roti

| Bijli

Aaina

| Shalini

rowspan="3" | 1975

| Prem Kahani

| Kamini

Lafange

| Sapna

Aag Aur Toofan

|

1976

| Nagin

| Rajkumari

1990

| Aandhiyan

| Shakuntala

2010

| 1 a Minute

| Herself

Docudrama film

Accolades

class="wikitable sortable"
Year

! Award

! Category

! Film

! Result

! Ref.

1968

| Bengal Film Journalists' Association Awards

| Best Supporting Actress (Hindi)

| Brahmachari

| {{won}}

|{{cite web |title=Bengal Film Journalists' Association |url=http://www.bfjaaward.com/award-winners.php?year=1969 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222074040/http://www.bfjaaward.com/award-winners.php?year=1969 |archive-date=22 December 2015 |access-date=10 December 2015}}

1967

| rowspan="3"|Filmfare Awards

| rowspan="2" |Best Supporting Actress

| Ram Aur Shyam

| {{nom}}

|{{cite news |title=The Nominations – 1967 |publisher=Filmfare Awards |url=http://filmfareawards.indiatimes.com/articleshow/articleshow/366594.cms |url-status=dead |access-date=15 December 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071029231245/http://filmfareawards.indiatimes.com/articleshow/articleshow/366594.cms |archive-date=29 October 2007}}

rowspan="2" |1971

| Aadmi Aur Insaan

| {{nom}}

| rowspan="2"|{{Cite web|url=https://www.filmfare.com/awards/filmfare-awards/winners|title=Check Out The Complete Filmfare Awards Winners List from 1953 to 2023|work=Filmfare|accessdate=28 February 2021|archive-date=4 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180204095338/https://www.filmfare.com/awards/filmfare-awards/winners|url-status=live}}

Best Actress

| Khilona

| {{won}}

=Honours=

  • Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award in 1997 at the 42nd Filmfare Awards.{{cite news |title=Lifetime Achievement (Popular) |publisher=Filmfare Awards |url=http://filmfareawards.indiatimes.com/cms.dll/articleshow?artid=33782146 |url-status=dead |access-date=15 December 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080212082935/http://filmfareawards.indiatimes.com/cms.dll/articleshow?artid=33782146 |archive-date=12 February 2008}}
  • IIFA Lifetime Achievement Award in 2008 at the 9th IIFA Awards.{{cite news |url=http://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/report_iifa-to-honour-rehman-benegal-and-mumtaz_1164914 |title=IIFA to honour A. R. Rahman, Shyam Benegal and Mumtaz |newspaper=DNA India |date=17 May 2008 |access-date=23 July 2012 |archive-date=23 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240123034333/https://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/report_iifa-to-honour-rehman-benegal-and-mumtaz_1164914 |url-status=live }}

References

{{Reflist}}