Mumtaz, actress
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Elevation to A films
Excerpted from Dilip Kumar | The Substance and the Shadow, an autobiography |As narrated to Udayatara Nayar |©2014 Dilip Kumar | Hay House Publishers
Mumtaz recalls:
I OWE MY RISE IN BOLLYWOOD AS A star and an as actress of consequence to Dilip Sahab. At the time when comedian Mehmood suggested my name to Dilip Sahab for a role in Ram Aur Shyam (released in 1967), I was mostly working in films starring the famous wrestler Dara Singh, apart from Mehmood himself. The Dara Singh films came under the ‘C’ category in commercial terminology.
As a result some heroes who were nowhere near Dilip Sahab in stature were refusing to work with me. To men- tion some names, Jeetendra, Dharmendra and Shashi Kapoor, plainly told directors who wished to cast me to come up with the name of some other leading lady. If I secured Boond Jo Ban Gayi Moti (re- leased in 1967) with Jeetendra, it was only because the veteran producer-director, V. Shantaramji, told Jeetendra that he would cast another hero in the film if Jeetu had a problem working with me. It was in such a scenario that Mehmood took tins of reels of a film starring me with him to Madras to show Dilip Sahab who was looking for a heroine to play the rustic character opposite the character Ram. It was very good of Mehmood to take the trouble because he and I were a good successful team and, in normal circumstances, no actor would like to break a successful team and go all out to recommend his heroine to a superstar and pave the way for her rise.
I was very very lucky because Dilip Sahab liked my work in the film he was shown and he felt I was ideal for the role of Ram’s buxom and vivacious sweetheart in Ram Aur Shyam. Just imagine the scenario. An actress who has faced the humiliation of being rejected by a few A-list lead actors is picked by the legendary thespian Dilip Kumar to star opposite him. It made sensational news. I remain eternally indebted to Dilip Sahab for changing the course of my career. Overnight, after the announcement of the casting appeared in the media, I was in great demand. I had the maturity and wis- dom to remain level-headed and patient, knowing that God sends opportunities to take the deserving to their goals. The truth is that I was always confident that my day would come if I focused on my work and toiled sincerely. The reward came with a deluge of offers following the casting in Ram Aur Shyam.
Dilip Sahab did not pause to see with which hero I was working when he decided to include me in the cast of Ram Aur Shyam. He was solely concerned with the suitability of my looks and acting abilities for bringing alive the village girl Ram loves. It was a role that had to contrast with the sophistication of the character of the rich, city-bred girl Shyam meets (played by Waheeda Rehman) when he lands up in the city. The shooting of Ram Aur Shyam passed off like a dream for me. During outdoor shooting at Panhala (in south-western Maharashtra), Dilip Sahab and Saira were newly married and we all got the oppor- tunity to spend quality time together.
I remember the whole unit came to their bungalow where they were staying, to celebrate Dilip Sahab’s birthday on 11 December 1966 and the ragging was on be- cause both of them took their own time come down from their upstairs room! Saira and I developed a friendship and we began confiding in each other. In between the outdoor shots, there were interest- ing tête-à-têtes between us, with comedian Mukri regaling the entire unit with funny anecdotes. Later, when I married Mayur Madhwani in 1974, I was so happy and touched that, despite the bed rest she was prescribed by the doctors at the time, Saira and Dilip Sahab had still graced my wedding recep- tion. Just a few days ago, I visited them again after long and we spent a very happy evening together.
Dilip Sahab’s greatness lies in his extreme humility and the trouble he takes to groom artistes who work with him. I benefited not only in the positioning I got after the casting of Ram Aur Shyam but also in the respect I gained with seasoned directors who eagerly cast me in their films after that. Eventually, I was sought after by the very individuals who rejected me and I couldn’t but thank the Almighty for giving me that thrill and pleasure. Producer-director L. V. Prasadji chose me over many other names suggested to him for Khilona (1970), for which I won the Filmfare Best Actress Award. Shashi Kapoor eagerly signed N. N. Sippy’s 1974 blockbuster Chor Machaye Shor with me and Dharamji gladly signed Loafer, among the top grossers of 1973.
All this taught me that self-belief and faith can indeed move mountains. I got married to Mayur Madhwani at the peak of my stardom and quit the industry. I have been away from the arclights for around forty years now. I battled against the spread of a killer disease and once again God stood by me. Life does not stop teaching you how to live and be grateful for the bounties granted to you.
Help from Mehmood
July 4, 2023: The Indian Express
Veteran actor Mumtaz recently took to Instagram to express her gratitude towards late legendary comedian Mehmood. Mumtaz began her journey in the film industry at the age of 11 with the 1958 film Sone Ki Chidiya. After doing small roles as a teenager, she started featuring opposite wrestler-actor Dara Singh in lead roles. However, after some time, she faced the challenge of being typecast as a action film heroine. Determined to break free from this pigeonholing, she found a saviour in Mehmood. The comic legend showed her reels to Dilip Kumar, who readily agreed to star with her in the film Ram Aur Shyam (1967), resurrecting her career.
During a recent meeting with Mehmood’s family, Mumtaz recounted the incident that transformed her career. She shared, “I just want to say that Mehmood ji had a big hand in my success. Had he not recommended my name to Dilip Kumar… He took my reels to the star and showed them to him. He said, ‘There is this new girl and you must work with her… you have a double role in the film.’ So, Dilip Kumar was like, ‘She is a beautiful, nice, and tall girl. Theek hai, mai kaam kar lunga (Fine, I will work with her).'”
The actor added, “Had he not said all this to Dilip Kumar, then it would not have been possible for me…it would not have been in my destiny to work with a person like Dilip Kumar. How many people in this world are ready to do something for anyone, and go out of their way to do so?” Thanking Mehmood’s family, she said, “I just wanted to tell this to you guys. This is Mehmood’s family and it is because of him that I could work with Dilip Kumar.”
In the 1970s, Mumtaz’s on-screen pairing with actor Rajesh Khanna captivated fans, further taking her career to new heights.
The actor added, “Had he not said all this to Dilip Kumar, then it would not have been possible for me…it would not have been in my destiny to work with a person like Dilip Kumar. How many people in this world are ready to do something for anyone, and go out of their way to do so?” Thanking Mehmood’s family, she said, “I just wanted to tell this to you guys. This is Mehmood’s family and it is because of him that I could work with Dilip Kumar.”
In the 1970s, Mumtaz’s on-screen pairing with actor Rajesh Khanna captivated fans, further taking her career to new heights.
Filmography
As an actor
As a ‘child artiste’
1958 Sone Ki Chidiya
1960 Zameen Ke Tare
1961 Stree
1962 Dr. Vidya
1962 Main Shadi Karne Chala
1962 Pathan
1962 Vallah Kya Baat Hai
As a grown-up actress
1963 Faulad
1963 Gehra Daag
1963 Mujhe Jeene Do
1963 Rustom Sohrab
1963 Sehra
1964 Aandhi Aur Toofan
1964 Baghi
1964 Hercules
1964 Qawwali Ki Raat
1964 Samson
1964 Veer Bhimsen
1965 Bahu Beti
1965 Boxer
1965 Do Dil
1965 Hum Diwane
1965 Kaajal
1965 Khakaan
1965 Khandan
1965 Mere Sanam
1965 Raaka
1965 Rustom-E-Hind
1965 Sikandar E Azam
1965 Son of Hatimtai
1965 Tarzan and King Kong
1965 Tarzan Comes to Delhi
1966 Daadi Maa
1966 Daku Mangal Singh
1966 Jawan Mard
1966 Ladka Ladki
1966 Pati Patni
1966 Pyar Kiye Jaa
1966 Rustom Kaun
1966 Saaz Aur Awaaz
1966 Sawan Ki Ghata
1966 Suraj
1966 Yeh Raat Phir Na Aaygi
1967 Aag
1967 Baghdad Ki Raatein
1967 Boond Jo Ban Gayee Moti
1967 C.I.D. 909
1967 Chandan Ka Palna
1967 Do Dushman
1967 Hamraaz
1967 Patthar Ke Sanam
1967 Ram Aur Shyam
1967 Woh Koi Aur Hoga
1968 Apna Ghar Apni Kahani
1968 Gauri
1968 Golden Eyes Secret Agent 077
1968 Jahan Mile Dharti Akash
1968 Jung Aur Aman
1968 Mere Hamdam Mere Dost
1968 Sadhu Aur Shaitaan
1968 Brahmachari
1969 Aadmi Aur Insaan
1969 Do Raaste
1969 Jigri Dost
1969 Mera Dost
1969 Mera Yaar Mera Dushman
1969 Shart
1969 Bandhan
1970 Bhai-Bhai
1970 Ek Nanhi Munni Ladki Thi
1970 Himmat
1970 Humjoli
1970 Khilona
1970 Maa Aur Mamta
1970 Pardesi
1970 Sachaa Jhutha
1971 Chaahat
1971 Dushman
1971 Ek Nari Ek Brahmachari
1971 Haré Rama Haré Krishna
1971 Kathputli
1971 Ladki Pasand Hai
1971 Mela
1971 Tere Mere Sapne
1971 Upaasna
1972 Apna Desh
1972 Apradh
1972 Dharkan
1972 Gomti Ke Kinare
1972 Pyaar Diwana
1972 Roop Tera Mastana
1972 Shararat
1972 Tangewala
1973 Bandhe Haath
1973 Bombay Superstar
1973 Jheel Ke Us Paar
1973 Jyot Jale
1973 Loafer
1973 Pyaar Ka Rishta
1974 Aap Ki Kasam
1974 Chor Machaye Shor
1974 Roti
1975 Aag Aur Toofan
1975 Lafange
1975 Prem Kahani
1976 Nagin
1977 Aaina
1990 Aandhiyan
2015 Kanchenjungha Express
