Mumtaz (actress)

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Mumtaz
File:Mumtaz in November 2020 enhanced (cropped).jpg
Mumtaz in November 2020
Born
Mumtaz Askari

(1947-07-31) 31 July 1947 (age 76)
CitizenshipIndian
OccupationActress
Years active1958–1977,1990
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)

Mumtaz Askari Madhvani (born 31 July 1947) is an 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]

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; 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; 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.

Mumtaz (actress).jpg

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[edit]

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.[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[edit]

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.[6]

It took Raj Khosla's blockbuster 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.[7] 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 Bandhan, both with Rajesh Khanna, became top grossers of the year 1969, earning around 65 millions and 28 millions respectively.[8] This was quickly followed by a heroine-oriented role in Khilona in 1970. She won the Filmfare Best Actress Award for Khilona 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.[9] 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 Aaina (1977) to concentrate on her family. She made a comeback 13 years later with Aandhiyan but retired for good when the movie flopped.

Personal life[edit]

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. In the beginning of May 2022, Mumtaz was admitted to Mumbai’s Breach Candy Hospital after suffering a stomach infection and was discharged after a week. The veteran actress stated that she suffers from both Irritable Bowel Syndrome and Colitis and the sudden attack of diarrhea worsened things for her. Mumtaz was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 54. She reportedly underwent six chemotherapies and 35 radiation sessions before becoming cancer-free.[10]

Relationships[edit]

Shammi Kapoor loved her and wanted to marry her too but Mumtaz was not ready to leave her film career at her early age as Kapoor didn't want his wife to work in the film industry after getting married.[11][12][13]

Filmography[edit]

Year Title Role Notes
1961 Stree
1962 Vallah Kya Baat Hai Mala
1963 Sehra Juhi
Rustom Sohrab Shehroo
Mujhe Jeene Do Farida
Gehra Daag Asha
Faulad Rajkumari Padma
1964 Veer Bhimsen
Samson Princess Shera
Qawwali Ki Raat
Hercules
Baaghi
Aandhi Aur Toofan
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
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
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
1968 Mere Hamdam Mere Dost Meena
Md Mojahid Alam
Jahan Mile Dharti Akash
Golden Eyes Secret Agent 077
Gauri Geeta
Brahmachari Roopa Sharma
Apna Ghar Apni Kahani
1969 Shart Sapna Singh
Mera Yaar Mera Dushman
Mera Dost
Jigri Dost Shobha Das
Do Raaste Reena
Bandhan Gauri Malikram
Apna Khoon Apna Dushman
Aadmi Aur Insaan Rita
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
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
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
1973 Pyaar Ka Rishta
Bandhe Haath Mala
Loafer Anju
Jheel Ke Us Paar Neelu
1974 Chor Machaye Shor Rekha
Aap Ki Kasam Sunita
Roti Bijli
1975 Prem Kahani Kamini
Lafange Sapna
Aag Aur Toofan
1976 Nagin Rajkumari
1977 Aaina Shalini
1990 Aandhiyan Shakuntala
2010 1 a Minute Herself Docudrama film

Awards[edit]

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.[14]

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.[15]

Won

Nominated

References[edit]

  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". The Times of India. 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". The Times of India. Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd. Retrieved 7 March 2018.
  6. "Mumtaz: Dara Singh's kindness got me my first role". The Times of India. 13 July 2012. Archived from the original on 28 September 2013. Retrieved 23 July 2012.
  7. Dinesh Raheja (August 2002). "The oomph and spirit of Mumtaz". Rediff.com. Retrieved 23 July 2012.
  8. "Box Office 1969". Box Office India. Archived from the original on 7 February 2009. Retrieved 23 July 2012.
  9. "Mumtaz: Rajesh Khanna was very close to me". Rediff.com. 18 July 2012. Retrieved 23 July 2012.
  10. "Veteran actor Mumtaz opens about recent health crisis, her cancer history made injecting drips difficult". The Indian Express. 6 May 2022. Retrieved 9 May 2022.
  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. Feroz Khan Dev Anand at YouTube
  14. "खिलोना सिनेमात मुमताझला कशी मिळाली महत्त्वाची भूमिका? - Maharashtra Times". Maharashtra Times. Retrieved 28 November 2015.
  15. 15.0 15.1 "Bengal Film Journalists' Association". Archived from the original on 22 December 2015. Retrieved 10 December 2015.
  16. 16.0 16.1 "Top Bollywood sex symbols of all time". India Tribune. Retrieved 23 July 2012.
  17. "IIFA to honour Rehman, Benegal and Mumtaz". DNA. 17 May 2008. Retrieved 23 July 2012.

External links[edit]

Template:FilmfareBestActressAward

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