Madhubala

Madhubala was born on 14 February, 1933 in Peshawar (Pakistan). She was one of the most gorgeous actresses to have graced the screens of Bollywood. She has made an incredible contribution to the Indian film industry.


On Madhubala's entry into films:
Her father, Ataullah Khan, was working in the Imperial Tobacco Company in Peshawar, Pakistan, when he lost his job and decided to come to Mumbai. Madhubala was seven at that time. Her real name was Mumtaz Begum. She was called Mazliappa, as she was the fifth child. Her father started looking for a job. He also took Madhubala to film studios. She got work in Basant (1942) at the age of nine.

Her first film as a heroine:
She got her first break in Kirdar Sharma's “Neel Kamal”. Kirdar's wife was supposed to play the lead role but she passed away. As Madhubala knew the dialogues, she became a heroine at the age of 13. From this film onwards, she was credited as Madhubala. The film did not do well, but her work was appreciated. From this film Madhubala got a major break

Her first famous film:
Madhubala shot to fame in 1949 with Mahal. (She was 16 at that time. ). She acted opposite Ashok Kumar. The film was a suspense and Madhubala`s enchanting and captivating beauty was just perfect for her role. The film was successful and the song `Aayega Aanewala` announced the advent of 2 new superstars: Madhubala and playback singer Lata Mangeshkar. In the early 1950s she became one of the most sought after heroines in Indian film industry.

Madhubala’s verstality:
Madhubala established herself as a versatile actor. While she was simple village girl in Tarana (1951), she was the traditional Indian woman in Sangdil (1952) and a spoilt brat in Guru Dutt`s Mr. and Mrs. 55 (1955). The song from Howrah Bridge, `Aaiye Meherbaan` was sensuous and superhit. Even today filmmakers admit that no one could have done it better than Madhubala. She played the role of an Anglo-Indian Cabaret singer opposite Ashok Kumar. Her bold westernised fashion statement was set her apart from others. Howrah Bridge was followed by Phagun with Bharat Bhushan, Kala Pani with Dev Anand, Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi opposite Kishore Kumar and Barsaat Ki Raat (1960) with Bharat Bhushan.



Madhubala’s last film Mughle Azam:
Her last film was Mughal-E-Azam, which released in 1960. People think that she worked after that too, but that's not true. She had completed all her films in the 10 years that it took for Mughal-E-Azam to be made. Some movies released after she was bedridden but she was in no condition to work after Mughal-E-Azam.


Madhubala’s sickness:
She was born with a hole in the heart. It was on the sets of S.S. Vassan`s film “Bahut Din Huwe” that she coughed up blood. She was well taken care of by the director and his wife. She was treated, and she resumed shooting. Nobody thought she was sick until she fainted on J K Nanda's sets while shooting with Raj Kapoor on Chalack (1957). The film never got completed. That's when the doctor said that she had a hole in her heart. She was 24 then. She was advised bed rest for three months, but after a month of rest, Madhubala resumed work. Looking at her, one would not say that she was sick. She, herself, was not ready to believe that she was sick.

Madhubala’s last days:
In the 1960s Madhubala`s physical condition deteriorated further. She was taken to London for treatment too but the doctors declared that it was too late for surgery. Madhubala came back and lived for another 9 years. At the age of 36 years Madhubala passed away.

Since Madhubala did not age on the silver screen she epitomizes eternal beauty. Till date she remains one of the pioneering actresses of Hindi cinema.