Madhubala (1933-69)

Screen name of the Hindi-Urdu actress Begum Mumtaz Jehan. Born in Delhi, she started as Baby Mumtaz at Bombay Talkies (Basant). Her first major hit was in Kidar Sharma’s Neel Kamal, starring opposite Raj Kapoor, but her distinct persona was concretised in Lal Dupatta and in Kamal Amrohi’s ghost story, Mahal, playing the gardener’s daughter. Often acted with Dilip Kumar, e.g. Amar and her most famous performance as Anarkali, ‘the living creation of Mughal sculptors’, in Mughal-e- Azam. Her most durable reputation rested on musical comedies, esp. with her husband Kishore Kumar (Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi, Dhake Ki Malmal, Half Ticket, Jhumroo) and in Guru Dutt’s Mr and Mrs ’55. Also played in Shakti Samanta (Howrah Bridge) and Dev Anand (Kala Pani) whodunits. Produced D.N. Madhok’s Naata through her own Madhubala Co. Often nostalgically considered the greatest and most glamorous star of the 50s Hindi musical, probably because she died before she was relegated to supporting roles like Nutan and Waheeda Rehman. Had started directing Farz Aur Ishq just before she died.

FILMOGRAPHY: 1942: Basant; 1944: Mumtaz Mahal; 1945: Dhanna Bhagat; 1946: Phulwari; Pujari; 1947: Khubsoorat Duniya; Neel Kamal; Chittor Vijay; Dil Ki Rani; Mere Bhagwan; 1948: Amar Prem; Lal Dupatta; Parai Aag; 1949: Daulat; Dulari; Imtehan; Aparadhi; Mahal; Paras; Neki Aur Badi; Singaar; Sipahiya; 1950: Beqasoor; Hanste Aansoo; Madhubala; Nirala; Nishana; Pardes; 1951: Aaram; Badal; Khazana; Nadaan; Nazneen; Saiyan; Tarana; 1952: Sangdil; Saqi; 1953: Armaan; Rail Ka Dibba; 1954: Amar; Bahut Din Huye; 1955: Mr and Mrs ’55; Naata; Naqab; Tirandaz; 1956: Dhake Ki Malmal; Rajhaath; Shirin Farhad; 1957: Ek Saal; Yahudi Ki Ladki; Gateway of India; 1958: Baghi Sipahi; Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi; Howrah Bridge; Kala Pani; Phagun; Police; 1959: Do Ustad; Insaan Jaag Utha; Kal Hamara Hai; 1960: Barsaat Ki Raat; Jaali Note; Mehlon Ke Khwab; Mughal-e-Azam; 1961: Boy Friend; Jhumroo; Passport; 1962: Half Ticket; 1964: Sharabi; 1970: Jwala.

Actor