Mumtaz, actress
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 recom- mend 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.
