Madhubala Biography

Childhood & Early Life

Madhubala was born as Mumtaz Jehan Begum Dehlavi on February 14, 1933 in Delhi, British India, as the fifth of eleven children to Attaullah Khan and his wife Ayesha Begum. After her father lost his job, the family relocated to Bombay, where they endured many hardships. Her two brothers and three sisters died at the ages between five and six. Her surviving sisters were named Altaf Kowal, Kainz Balsara, Chanchal Ibrahim, Madhur (Zahida) Bhushan and Shahida Kazi. On 14 April 1944, the infamous dock explosion and fire incident wiped out their home. Fortunately, the family survived as they were at a local theatre to watch a film. At a young age, Madhubala began to look out for work. She would pay frequent visits to film studios and finally got her start in the industry at the age of nine.

Career

Madhubala made her debut in the 1942 film ‘Basant,’ appearing in a child role. The film was a box office success and also became the highest grossing Indian movie of that year. She then had child roles in a number of films including ‘Dhanna Bhagat’, ‘Pujari’, ‘Phoolwari’ and ‘Rajputani’. ‘Phoolwari’ was extremely successful and featured Motilal and Khursheed Bano in main roles. Madhubala then got her first major break in 1947 when she was cast opposite Raj Kapoor in ‘Neel Kamal.’ This was the last movie in which she was credited as Mumtaz. That year, she was once again paired up with Kapoor in another romantic flick ‘Chittor Vijay’. During 1948, the actress appeared in a number of films, all of which failed to impress the audience. However a year later, she achieved stardom when cast as the lead in Kamal Amrohi’s ‘Mahal’. Also featuring Ashok Kumar, the film was Bollywood’s first reincarnation thriller and the third hit at the box office that year. Following the immense success of ‘Mahal,’ Madhubala appeared in another box office hit ‘Dulari.’ The romantic flick gave the hit track “Suhani Raat Dhal Chuki, Na Jaane Tum Kab Aaogi”. In the year 1950, the Indian beauty played Usha in ‘Beqasoor’, a film about a married woman who is caught in the crossfire of a sibling rivalry between her husband and her brother-in-law. That year, she also starred in ‘Hanste Aansoo’, the first ever Bollywood film to get an “A” – adults only certification. In 1951, she had roles in the films ‘Tarana’, ‘Saiyan’, ‘Aaram’ and ‘Badal’. ‘Tarana’ featured Madhubala and Dilip Kumar together for the first time. ‘Saiyan,’ a remake of the 1946 American movie ‘Duel in the Sun,’ revolves around two brothers who fall in love with the same girl, a character played by Madhubala. Also in 1951, Madhubala caught the interest of Hollywood when photographer James Burke photographed her for the ‘Life’ magazine and referred to her as “the biggest star” in the international industry. Soon after this, she was once again paired opposite Dilip Kumar in ‘Sangdil’. The film went on to become the seventh highest-grossing movie of that year. In 1955, Madhubala became a producer when she came up with her project ‘Naata’ in which she also acted. The same year, she gave her first comic performance as a wealthy heiress, Anita in ‘Mr. & Mrs. ’55’. The film was the fifth highest-grossing film and produced the hit songs “Jaane Kahan Mera Jigar Gaya Jee” and “Thandi Hawa Kali Ghata”. The year 1958 proved to be one of the best years of Madhubala’s career. That year, she gave plenty of hits including ‘Phagun’, ‘Kala Pani’ and ‘Howrah Bridge’. ‘Phagun’ was the sixth highest-grossing movie of that year and yielded a hit song titled “Ek Pardesi Mera Dil Le Gaya” by Asha Bhosle and Mohammed Rafi. In ‘Howrah Bridge,’ Madhubala appeared alongside her future brother-in-law, Ashok Kumar. She was featured in ‘Barsaat Ki Raat’ opposite Bharat Bhushan in 1960. The film became famous for its qawwali songs. The actress next had roles in ‘Jhumroo’, ‘Half Ticket’ and ‘Jwala’. ‘Jwala’ was released two years after Madhubala’s death.

Major Works

In 1958, Madhubala appeared alongside her future husband Kishore Kumar in the romantic comedy ‘Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi’. The film, also featuring Kumar’s two brothers Ashok Kumar and Anoop Kumar, was the second highest grossing film of the year. Its songs “Ek Ladki Bheegi Bhagi Si”, “Babu Samjho Ishaare” and “Haal Kaisa Hai Janab Ka” became immensely popular. In 1960, Madhubala was seen in ‘Mughal-e-Azam’, an Indian epic historical drama film that marked what many consider to be her greatest characterization, as Anarkali, the doomed courtesan who falls in love with the Mughal Prince Salim (aka Emperor Jahangir). The film ‘Mughal-e-Azam’ broke many box office records in India and went on to become the highest-grossing movie of that period. Madhubala’s performance was highly appreciated and earned her a Filmfare Award nomination—her first and only one.

Family & Personal Life

In 1954, during the shooting of ‘Bahut Din Huwe,’ Madhubala was diagnosed with a ventricular septal defect. Her health deteriorated over the years. During this time, Kishore Kumar proposed to her against his family’s will and she decided to tie the knot with him after realizing that Dilip Kumar would not marry her. The couple married in 1960. By that time, her condition had aggravated and the doctors told her that she had just two years to live. Kumar bought a flat for her in Bandra where they stayed for some time and eventually left her with a nurse and a driver. According to Madhubala’s sister, Madhur Bhushan, the actor said he couldn’t look after her. He would visit her once in two months. On 23 February 1969, a few days after her 36th birthday, Madhubala breathed her last and Kishore Kumar went on to marry actress Yogeeta Bali after a few years. To date, every year on her birthday, various articles are printed and TV programs are aired to commemorate her. On 18 March 2008, India Post issued a commemorative postage stamp featuring her in order to honor the legendary actress.

Trivia

Madhubala was proposed to by Pradeep Kumar, Bharat Bhushan and Kishore Kumar. She eventually married Kumar, who, according to some sources, converted to Islam to marry her.