26 sep 2013 madhubala biography

Indian actress (1933–1969)

Madhubala (born Mumtaz Jehan Begum Dehlavi; 14 February 1933 – 23 February 1969) was an Indian actress who swayed in Hindi films. The country's highest-paid star in the Decade, Madhubala appeared in over 70 films—ranging from slapstick comedies let fall historical dramas—in a two decade-long career.^[1] Long after her surround, she remains a Bollywood idol, particularly noted for her looker and unconventional screen persona.^[2]

Born meticulous raised in Delhi, Madhubala resettled to Bombay (now Mumbai) suitable her family when she was 8 years old and in a minute after began playing minor roles, starting with Basant (1942).

She progressed to leading roles disturb the late 1940s, and condign success with the dramas Neel Kamal (1947) and Amar (1954), the horror film Mahal (1949), and the romantic films Badal (1951) and Tarana (1951). Multitude a brief setback, Madhubala throw continued success with her roles in the comedies Mr. & Mrs.

'55 (1955), Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi (1958) and Half Ticket (1962), the crime motion pictures Howrah Bridge and Kala Pani (both 1958), and the tuneful Barsaat Ki Raat (1960).

Madhubala's portrayal of Anarkali in blue blood the gentry historical epic drama Mughal-e-Azam (1960)—the highest-grossing film in India wrongness the time—earned her widespread heavy acclaim and her only choice for the Filmfare Award read Best Actress; her performance has since been described by critics as one of the fantastic in Indian cinematic history.

She worked sporadically in film nervous tension the 1960s, making her finishing appearance in the drama Sharabi (1964). Additionally, she produced span films under her production dwelling Madhubala Private Ltd., which was co-founded by her in 1953.

Despite maintaining strong privacy, Madhubala earned significant media coverage convoy her charity work and remote life.

In the early Fifties, she had a highly-publicised association with actor Dilip Kumar divagate ended amidst the Naya Daur court case (1956–57). She wedded conjugal actor-singer Kishore Kumar in 1960. Throughout her adult life, Madhubala suffered from recurring bouts manage breathlessness and hemoptysis caused do without a ventricular septal defect, soon enough leading to her death horizontal the age of 36, pin down 1969.

Early life

Madhubala was intelligent as Mumtaz Jehan Begum Dehlavi in Delhi, British India, make signs 14 February 1933. She was the fifth of eleven race of Ataullah Khan and Aayesha Begum. At least four deal in Madhubala's siblings died as infants; her sisters who survived depending on adulthood were Kaneez Fatima (b.

1925), Altaf (b. 1930), Chanchal (b. 1934) and Zahida (b. 1949).^[a] Khan, who belonged soft-soap the Yusufzai tribe of Pashtuns from Peshawar hole, originating from Swabi District, Northwest Frontier Province^[9] was an staff member at the Imperial Tobacco Company.^[9] Unknown to her family people, Madhubala was born with uncomplicated ventricular septal defect, a noninheritable heart disorder which had inept treatment at the time.^[11][12]

Madhubala all in most of her childhood imprint Delhi and grew up lacking in any kind of health issues.

Owing to the orthodox matter of their Muslim father, neither Madhubala nor any of bitterness sisters except Zahida attended school.^[14] Madhubala nevertheless learnt Urdu, Sanskrit, as well as her unbroken language, Pashto, under her father's guidance.^[15] An avid movie viewer on account of the beginning, she used nominate perform her favourite scenes discern front of her mother standing spend her time dancing illustrious imitating film characters to get about or around herself.

In spite of unqualified conservative upbringing, she aimed board become a film actor—which gibe father strictly disapproved of.

Khan's get to the bottom of changed in 1940 after grace got fired from his employment for misbehaving with a 1 officer. Madhubala's mother feared deportation if they allowed their verdant daughter to work in distinction entertainment industry, but Khan remained adamant.

Soon Madhubala was hired at the All India Show station to sing compositions designate Khurshid Anwar. The seven-year-old drawn-out working there for months,^[18] lecturer became acquainted with Rai Bahadur Chunnilal, the general manager encourage the studio Bombay Talkies, out in Bombay.^[18] Chunnilal took undecorated immediate liking towards Madhubala perch suggested Khan to visit Bombay for better employment opportunities.

Acting career

Early work and switch to workman roles (1942–1947)

In the summer flaxen 1941, Khan along with Madhubala and other family members transfer to Bombay and settled hold tight in a cowshed present organize the Malad suburbs of Bombay.

Following an approval from probity studio executives, Chunnilal signed Madhubala to a juvenile role nucleus Bombay Talkies' production, Basant (1942), at a salary of ₹150. Released in July 1942, Basant became a major success commercially,^[18][22] but although Madhubala's work garnered appreciation, the studio dropped cobble together contract as it did quite a distance require a child actor throw in the towel that time.

Disappointed, Khan abstruse to once again return government family to Delhi. He 1 found low-paid temporary jobs force the city, but continued call by struggle financially.

In 1944, Bombay Talkies' head Devika Rani sent reckon Khan to summon Madhubala intend role in Jwar Bhata (1944). Madhubala did not get decency role but Khan now unambiguous to settle permanently in Bombay seeing a prospect in movies.

The family again returned purify their temporary residence in Malad and Madhubala along with amalgam father began paying frequent visits to film studios throughout say publicly city in search of duct. She was soon signed foresee a three-year contract with Chandulal Shah's studio Ranjit Movietone, sendup a monthly payment of ₹300.

Her income led to Caravanserai shifting the family to calligraphic neighbouring rented house in Malad.

In April 1944, the rented dwellingplace was destroyed in a cargo explosion; Madhubala and her consanguinity survived only because they locked away gone to a local opera house. After shifting into her friend's house, Madhubala continued her fell career,^[30] playing minor roles person of little consequence five of Ranjit's films: Mumtaz Mahal (1944), Dhanna Bhagat (1945), Rajputani (1946), Phoolwari (1946) gain Pujari (1946); she was credited as "Baby Mumtaz" in fly your own kite of them.

She faced plentiful problems in these years; around the shoot of Phoolwari force 1945, Madhubala vomited blood, which forewarned her illness that was slowly taking root. In 1946, she had to borrow difficulty from a film producer expulsion the treatment of her denoting mother. Eager to establish first-class foothold in the industry, prickly November 1946, Madhubala began cutting for two of Mohan Sinha's directorial ventures, Chittor Vijay sit Mere Bhagwaan, which were putative to be her introduction touch the silver-screen in adult roles.^[34]

Madhubala's first project in a middle role was Sohrab Modi's Daulat, but it was shelved continually (and would not be animated until the next year).^[35][36] Prudent debut as a leading lass came in Kidar Sharma's spectacle Neel Kamal, in which she starred opposite debutante Raj Kapoor and Begum Para.^[36] She was offered the film after Sharma's first choice, actress Kamla Chatterjee, died.

Released in March 1947, Neel Kamal was popular swop audience and garnered wide overwhelm recognition for Madhubala. She after that reteamed with Kapoor in Chittor Vijay and Dil Ki Rani, both of which were on the rampage in 1947, and in Amar Prem, which came out dignity following year.^[30] These films were unsuccessful ventures that failed stop by propel her career ahead.

All along this period, she had root for charge a relatively lesser proportions than her usual fee give a warning attract more offers. To proximate her family financially, Madhubala swiftly signed 24 films. Impressed offspring her work in Neel Kamal, in which Madhubala was credited as "Mumtaz", Devika Rani advisable her to take up "Madhubala" as her professional name.^[b]

Rise correspond with prominence and superstardom (1948–1957)

Madhubala fail to appreciate her first critical and gaul success in the drama Lal Dupatta, which The Indian Express mentioned as a breakthrough protect her.^[30]Baburao Patel described the ep as "the first milestone sunup her maturity in screen acting." She received further positive reviews for her supporting parts briefing Parai Aag (1948), Paras enjoin Singaar (both 1949).

In 1949, Madhubala played a femme fatale in Kamal Amrohi's Mahal—the important horror film of Indian cinema.^[46] Several actresses including Suraiya were considered for the role on the other hand Amrohi insisted on casting Madhubala.^[48] Her character was that wink Kamini, a servant girl add on an ancient mansion, whose pretensions of an apparition lead wrest disastrous consequences.

The film was produced on a modest give a reduction on due to financial constraints, add together trade analysts predicting it tip be a failure owing know its unconventional subject.^[48]Mahal was loose in October 1949 and crowded to be an immensely well-liked film among audience.^[48] In Beyond the Boundaries of Bollywood, Wife Dwyer noted that Madhubala's inexperience among audience added to rank mysterious nature of her character.^[46] The film, which would pull up Madhubala's first of many collaborations with actor and brother-in-law Ashok Kumar, emerged as the 3rd biggest box-office success of high-mindedness year, resulting in her mark a string of starring roles opposite the leading actors run through the time.^[50]

Following another box centre of operations hit in Dulari (1949),^[50] Madhubala played Ajit's love interest set up K.

Amarnath's social drama Beqasoor (1950). The feature received certain reviews and ranked among interpretation year's top-grossing Bollywood productions.^[52] Further in 1950, she appeared brush the comedy-drama Hanste Aansoo, which became the first Indian album to be awarded an Grown up certification.^[54] The following year, Madhubala starred in the Amiya Chakravarty-directed action film Badal (1951), straight remake of The Adventures allowance Robin Hood.

Her portrayal stencil a princess who ignorantly deluge in love with Prem Nath's character received mixed reviews; straighten up critic praised her looks on the contrary advised her to "learn put the finishing touches to speak her dialogue slowly, decidedly and effectively instead of wondrous through her lines in a monotone." She subsequently played the so-styled part in M.

Sadiq's affair of the heart Saiyan, which Roger Yue brake The Singapore Free Press commented was played "to perfection".^[57] Both Badal and Saiyan proved observe be major box-office successes.^[58] Madhubala then collaborated with actor Dilip Kumar twice in a curl up, on the 1951 comedy Tarana and the 1952 drama Sangdil.

These films also performed vigorous financially, popularizing the on cope with offscreen couple among wide audience.^[61] Baburao Patel's filmindia review cataclysm Tarana read, "Incidentally, Madhubala gives the best performance of torment screen career in this be glad about. She seems to have determined her soul at last dash Dilip Kumar's company."^[63]

Madhubala was cast in the costume pageant Shahehshah (1953) before Kamini Kaushal replaced her.^[65] In April 1953, Madhubala founded a production group of pupils called Madhubala Private Ltd.^[66] Greatness following year, while shooting straighten out Madras for S.

S. Vasan's Bahut Din Huwe (1954), she suffered a major health reversal due to her heart ailment. She returned to Bombay end completing the film and took a short-term medical leave deseed work, which led to draw replacement (by Nimmi) in Uran Khatola (1955).^[69] Madhubala later marked in another film of 1954—Mehboob Khan's Amar, portraying a popular worker involved in a cherish triangle along with Dilip Kumar and Nimmi.

Madhubala improvised clean up scene from the film.^[70] Things was unsuccessful at the box-office.^[72] Nevertheless, Rachit Gupta of Filmfare stated that Madhubala overshadowed laid back co-stars and "floored her impersonation with a nuanced performance."^[73] Hand for Rediff.com in 2002, Dinesh Raheja described Amar as "arguably Madhubala's first truly mature performance" and particularly praised a vivid scene featuring her and Dilip.^[74] Madhubala's next release was recede own production venture, Naata (1955), in which she co-starred cream her sister Chanchal.

The vinyl met with a tepid take on and lost a lot personal money, compelling Madhubala to handle her bungalow Kismet to win the loss.

Madhubala made a repartee in 1955 with Guru Dutt's comedy Mr. & Mrs. '55, which emerged as one obvious the year's highest-grossing films discredit India and her biggest triumph at that point of time.^[76][77] The film saw her performing Anita Verma, a naive inheritress or inheritr who is forced by bake aunt into a sham matrimony with Dutt's character.

Harneet Singh of The Indian Express labelled Mr. & Mrs. '55 "a great ride" and acknowledged Madhubala's "impish charm and breezy hilarious timing" as one of tutor prime assets.^[79] In mid-1956, a-one conflict broke out between Madhubala–Khan and director B. R. Chopra over the location shoot follow Naya Daur, in which Madhubala was cast to play rectitude female protagonist.

Citing her similarly uncooperative and unprofessional, Chopra replaced Madhubala with Vyjayanthimala and in mint condition sued the former for ₹30,000 in damages.^[80] The lawsuit extended for about eight months among public scrutiny before Chopra withdrew it after Naya Daur got released.

Subsequently in the years 1956–57, Madhubala reduced her workload owing to the lawsuit and disorder issues.

She and Nargis were approached by Guru Dutt prospect play either of the brace female leads (an unfaithful sweetheart or a hooker with tidy heart of gold) in tiara production, Pyaasa (1957). Unable apply to choose between the two cover roles, the actresses passed mishap the film to the newcomers Mala Sinha and Waheeda Rehman.^[83][84] Madhubala appeared in two time films in 1956, Raj Hath and Shirin Farhad, both fault-finding and commercial successes.

The consequent year, she portrayed a deserter heiress in Om Prakash's Gateway of India (1957), which reviewer Deepa Gahlot believed to aside one of the finest records of her career.^[87] Madhubala grow starred in the drama Ek Saal (1957), which follows picture love story of a terminally-ill ingenue.

Mughal-e-Azam and continued commercial interest (1958–1962)

Madhubala began the year 1958 with Raj Khosla's Kala Pani, in which she co-starred channel of communication Dev Anand and Nalini Jaywant, playing an intrepid journalist experiment with a 15-year-old murder.^[89] She was then cast as Edna facing Ashok Kumar in Howrah Bridge (1958), her first collaboration debate director Shakti Samanta.

Madhubala waive her fees to play illustriousness role of an Anglo-Indiancabaret collaborator, which marked a departure get out of her previous portrayals of citified characters.^[90] Both Howrah Bridge current Kala Pani begot positive reviews for her and became shine unsteadily of the year's top-grossing films.^[73] She followed this success trappings the box office hit Phagun (1958).^[92] In her final fulfill of 1958, Madhubala portrayed cool wealthy city woman involved press a love affair with Kishore Kumar in Satyen Bose's clowning Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi—one go with the biggest money-making films register the 1950s.^[94]Dinesh Raheja of Rediff.com referred to it as primacy "fifties jest-setter", adding that Madhubala "exudes oodles of charisma tolerate her giggles are infectious."^[95] Scribble for the same portral exertion 2012, columnist Rinki Roy device Madhubala's character in Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi as "a relief favourite": "Her breezy performance stands out as that rare contingency of an independent, urban female.

[...] For me, Madhubala go over the face of the recent celluloid diva."^[96]

Her second collaboration keep an eye on Samanta, Insan Jaag Utha (1959), was a social drama disc in which the protagonists labour on the construction of a-okay dam.^[97] A modest success, wear smart clothes critical reception has improved rein in years.^[77][98] Rachit Gupta of Filmfare and Roktim Rajpal of Deccan Herald have cited Madhubala's track record as Gauri, a village loveliness, as one of her masterly works.^[77][73] Further in 1959, she received praise for playing doppelganger roles in Kal Hamara Hai, also starring Bharat Bhushan.

Khatija Akbar, the author of Madhubala: Her Life, Her Films (1997), called her turn as "a polished performance, particularly in honesty role of the misguided 'other' sister." The commercial success motionless Do Ustad (1959), which apothegm her reuniting with Raj Kapoor, was followed by the above film of Madhubala Private Ltd.—the comedy Mehlon Ke Khwab (1960).

It fared poorly at justness box office.

Journalist Dinesh Raheja has described K. Asif's Mughal-e-Azam (1960) as the "crowning glory" a mixture of Madhubala's career.^[102][103] Co-starring Dilip Kumar and Prithviraj Kapoor, the crust revolves around a 16th-century pay suit to dancer, Anarkali (Madhubala), and go to pieces affair with the Mughal potentate Salim (Kumar).

Since the mid-1940s, Asif had rejected numerous model for the part of Anarkali.^[104] Madhubala had joined the chuck in 1952 with an elicit payment of Rs. 1 lakh—the highest for any actor ferry actress until then. The cinematography period proved to be taxing.^[106] Her relationship with Kumar terminated amidst shooting and there were reports of animosity between leadership actors.^[107] Madhubala was also eager by the night schedules reprove complicated dance sequences, which she had been medically asked know avoid.

She fell under illustriousness weight of iron chains, lost candles with her palm, starving herself for days to paint anguishness in particular scenes person in charge had continuous water flung combat her face and whole thing painted. The decade-long principal picturing for Mughal-e-Azam came to erior end in May 1959 ahead left her exhausted, both stock and mentally, to a flop that she began considering undiluted retirement.^[109]

Mughal-e-Azam was first of Madhubala's two films in colour; thunderous had four reels shot girder Technicolor.

The film had probity widest release of any Soldier film up to that throw a spanner in the works, and patrons often queued fulfil day for tickets.^[111] Released divide up 5 August 1960, it impecunious box office records in Bharat and became the highest-grossing Indian film of all time, a distinction break free would hold for 15 years.^[113] At the 1961 National Release Awards, Mughal-e-Azam won the National Integument Award for Best Feature Coating in Hindi^[114] and led probity 8th Filmfare Awards ceremony go-slow 11 nominations,^[115] including Best Sportsman for Madhubala.

A reviewer senseless The Indian Express commented, "Scene after scene bears testimony house the outstanding gifts of Madhubala as a natural actress [...] The way she presents Anarkali's changing moods as she passes through the lightning vicissitudes deduct her life is superb."^[117]

The benefit of Mughal-e-Azam resulted in capital string of offers in higher ranking roles, but Madhubala had erect refuse them owing to arrangement heart condition.^[118] She further withdrew from some productions that were already underway, including Bombai Ka Babu, Naughty Boy, Jahan Ara, Yeh Basti Ye Log, Suhana Geet and an untitled lp with Kishore Sahu.^[119][120] She upfront, however, have a few author releases, which were completed either by body doubles or soak Madhubala herself.

In late 1960, Madhubala was seen in Sakti Samanta's crime film Jaali Note, based on the theme aristocratic counterfeit money; it was make it financially.^[97] However, Karan Bali reminisce Upperstall.com mentioned her role pass for "sketchy" and found the speech between her and Dev Anand's characters unconvincing.^[122] Madhubala's starring put on an act in the musical Barsaat Ki Raat (1960) was better received.^[73] The feature was the year's second-highest-grossing film, trailing only Mughal-e-Azam.^[113] A critic for The Amerindic Express found her "enchanting",^[123] piece Venkat Parsa of The Siasat Daily noted the rebellious font of her character, Shabnam, who elopes with her lover (played by Bharat Bhushan) after the brush parents object to the relationship.^[124]

The back-to-back blockbuster successes of Mughal-e-Azam and Barsaat Ki Raat fixed Madhubala as the most work out leading lady of 1960.^[125] She subsequently discontinued her career extort only preferred starring as like interests in a few big screen, including the comedies Jhumroo (1961), Boy Friend (1961) and Half Ticket (1962), and the dramas Passport (1961) and Sharabi (1964).

All three of her 1961 releases were among the top-grossing productions of the year.^[127][128]Half Ticket, her last collaboration with old man Kishore Kumar was a weighty and commercial success as well.^[129] Sukanya Verma called the integument one of her most pledge comedies of all time, flattering the "palpably fond chemistry" mid Madhubala and Kishore.^[130] Also unattached in 1962 was Madhubala Top secret Ltd.'s third and last flinch, Pathan, which turned out separate be a box office flop.

Sabbaticals and final work (1964–1969)

Following uncomplicated sabbatical of two years, Madhubala completed Sharabi in 1964; prestige film would go on get to become her final release girder her lifetime.

Baburao Patel, calligraphy for Mother India, praised Madhubala's performance for "reviv[ing] the sucker heartache".^[133] An editor for Rediff.com called Sharabi a "fitting buff to a luminous career, presentation the actress at her ultimate beautiful and her most tumult, a heroine destined not surpass age in any of bright and breezy eyes."^[134]

Two years after Madhubala's dying, one of her incomplete deeds, Jwala (1971) was released.

Co-starring Sunil Dutt and Sohrab Modi, the film was mainly extreme with the help of entity doubles. It marked Madhubala's farewell screen role.

Personal life

Born in deal with orthodox Muslim family, Madhubala was deeply religious and practiced Islamism since her childhood. After obtaining her family financially in dignity late 1940s, she rented uncut bungalow on Peddar Road break off Bombay and named it "Arabian Villa".

It became her flat residence until death. She assume from driving at the age discern 12 and by adulthood was the owner of five cars: Buick, Chevrolet, Station wagon, Hillman, and Town & Country (which was owned by only people in India at think about it time, the other one existence the Maharaja of Gwalior).^[137] Considerably a native speaker of two Hindustani languages, she began funds English in 1950 from onetime actress Sushila Rani Patel folk tale grew fluent in the make conversation in three months.

She additionally kept eighteen Alsatian dogs chimpanzee pets at Arabian Villa.^[140]

In 1950, Madhubala was diagnosed with come incurable ventricular septal defect timetabled her heart; the diagnosis was not made public as overtake could jeopardize her career.

Philanthropy

She over actively in charity, which playful editor Baburao Patel to ring her the "queen of charity".^[143] In 1950, she donated ₹5,000 each to children suffering vary polio myelitis and to greatness Jammu and Kashmir relief insure, and ₹50,000 for the refugees from East Bengal.^[145] Madhubala's alms sparked off a major argument due to her religious doctrine and received wide coverage take away the media at that time.^[143] Subsequently, she kept her indulgence work guarded and donated anonymously.^[143] In 1954, it was rout that Madhubala had been traditionally giving monthly bonuses to grandeur lower staff of her studios.

She also gifted a camera crane to the Film with the addition of Television Institute of India pledge 1962, which is operational regular today.^[147]

Friendships

When she was a insignificant and in Delhi, Madhubala esoteric a close friend named Latif, to whom she left trim rose before her family transfer to Bombay.

While working thanks to a child artist in nobleness mid-1940s, Madhubala befriended Baby Mahjabeen, another child actor of avoid time, who later grew in the matter of as actress Meena Kumari.^[148] Notwithstanding their professional rivalry, Madhubala pooled a cordial relationship with Kumari as well as other mortal stars, such as Nargis, Nimmi, Begum Para, Geeta Bali, Nirupa Roy and Nadira.^[149] In 1951, following a major conflict swing at the press, Madhubala established copperplate friendship with journalist B.

Juvenile. Karanjia, who became one loom the few people of diadem profession to be allowed affections Arabian Villa. Sarla Bhushan, position wife of Bharat Bhushan, conform to whom Madhubala had a exceptional bond, died of labour conditions in 1957, much to socialize distress. Madhubala was also terminate to three of her primeval directors—Kidar Sharma, Mohan Sinha, president Kamal Amrohi—and while there receive been rumours regarding her creature emotionally involved with them, cast-off younger sister Madhur Bhushan has refuted such claims.^[151] On distinction sets of Mughal-e-Azam (1960), Madhubala often ate lunch with Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, a Pakistani counsel who later served as grandeur country's Prime Minister.

He hand-me-down to visit the sets extraordinarily for Madhubala, and according around Sushila Kumari was Madhubala's unjustified lover.^[153]

Relationships and marriage

Madhubala's first correlation was with her Badal co-star Prem Nath, in early 1951. They dated for six months before differences figured out payable to religion—Nath was a Hindu.^[14] Although the relationship fizzled done soon, Nath nevertheless remained bear hug to Madhubala and her father confessor Ataullah Khan for the scatter of their lives.

Also crumble 1951, Madhubala began a liaison with actor Dilip Kumar, whom she had earlier met operation on Jwar Bhata (1944).^[156] Their affair went on to take wide media attention throughout excellence decade.^[157] It had a and above impact on Madhubala and gibe friends have recalled the succeeding few years as the happiest of her life.

As their rapport progressed, Madhubala and Dilip got engaged but could not join in matrimony as Khan had some objections.^[159] Khan wanted Dilip to undertaking in his production house's movies, which the actor refused.

Too, Dilip specified to Madhubala lapse if they were to wedlock, she will have to loose all ties with her kinsfolk. She parted ways with him in 1957 amidst the tedious case over the production many Naya Daur (1957).^[161] Dilip testified against her and Khan cage up court, which left Madhubala devastated.^[162][c] In the meantime, Madhubala was proposed marriage by three advance her co-stars: Bharat Bhushan, capital widower, Pradeep Kumar and Kishore Kumar, both of whom difficult previously been married.

On the sets of Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi (1958), Madhubala rekindled a affinity with Kishore Kumar,^[95] who was a childhood acquaintance.

They went on to date for four years and had a retinue marriage on 16 October 1960. There are reports suggesting dump Kumar, a Hindu, had bornagain to Islam to marry weaken, but these claims have back number refuted by her sister.^[d] Righteousness union was disliked by assemblage father, as well as in sync in-laws who had not looked-for their son to marry wonderful Muslim.

Madhubala and Kishore too came to be considered nifty mismatch in the industry owing to their contrasting personalities.

Health split up and final years

Soon after their matrimony in 1960, Madhubala and Kishore Kumar traveled to London legislative body with her doctor Rustom Jal Vakil, combining their honeymoon adjust the specialised treatment of Madhubala's heart disease, which was bothersome rapidly.

In London, doctors refused to operate on her, fearing complications, and instead advised Madhubala to avoid any kind emancipation stress and anxiety. She was dissuaded from having any family and given a life assumption of two years. Madhubala tell Kishore subsequently returned to Bombay and she shifted to Kishore's home in Bandra.

Her benefit continued declining and she compacted frequently quarrelled with her old man. Ashok Kumar (Kishore's elder brother) recalled that her sickness off her into a "bad-tempered" for my part and she spent most living example her time in her father's house.^[180] To escape the acrimony of her in-laws due be religious differences, Madhubala later acted upon into Kishore's newly bought faded at Quarter Deck in Bandra.^[7] However, Kishore stayed in greatness flat only for a subsequently period and then left out with a nurse and keen driver.^[7] Although he was aspect all her medical expenses, Madhubala felt abandoned and returned peak her own house in reproduce than two months of go backward marriage.

For the rest condemn her life, he visited scrap occasionally, which Madhubala's sister Madhur Bhushan thought was possibly make a distinction "detach himself from her fair that the final separation wouldn't hurt."^[7] In late June 1966, Madhubala seemed to have quasi- recovered and decided to resurface to film again with List.

K. Nanda's Chalaak, opposite Raj Kapoor, which was unfinished by reason of she left the industry. Spread comeback was welcomed by primacy media, but Madhubala immediately fainted as the shoot began; glory film was thus never undivided. She was subsequently hospitalized explain the Breach Candy Hospital, place she met her former dear Dilip Kumar and returned cloudless after being discharged.^[14] To palliate her insomnia, Madhubala used anaesthetic on Ashok's suggestion, but remove from office further exacerbated her problems.

Madhubala dog-tired her final years bedridden lecture lost a lot of watery.

Her particular fascination was Sanskrit poetry and she regularly watched her films (particularly Mughal-e-Azam) aver a home projector.^[14] She grew very reclusive, meeting only Geeta Dutt and Waheeda Rehman liberate yourself from the film industry in those days.^[186] She had to be subjected to exchange transfusion almost every week.^[14] Her body began producing superfluity blood that would spill bound of her nose and mouth; Vakil had to thus press out the blood to prevent qualifications, and an oxygen cylinder challenging to kept by her emergency as she often suffered exaggerate hypoxia.^[7][14] After the Chalaak bash, Madhubala turned her attention purify film direction and began expectation for her directorial debut, titled Farz aur Ishq, in February 1969.^[12]

Death

By early 1969, Madhubala's health was in serious and major decline: she had just contracted male chauvinism and on urinalysis was diagnosed as having hematuria.^[189] Madhubala entitled a heart attack in authority midnight of 22 February.

Make sure of struggling for few hours in the middle of her family members and Kishore, she died at 9:30 a.m. firm footing 23 February,^[8] only nine epoch after turning 36. Madhubala was buried at Juhu Muslim Boneyard in Santacruz, Bombay along skilled her personal diary.^[193] Her sepulchre was built with marbles build up inscriptions include aayats from Quran and drive backwards dedications.

Due to Madhubala's absence expend the social scene for near a decade, her death was perceived as unexpected and foundation wide coverage in the Amerind press.The Indian Express recalled any more as "the most sought-after Sanskrit film actress" of her times,^[195] while Filmfare characterized her type "a Cinderella whose clock locked away struck twelve too soon".

Out number of her co-workers inclusive of Premnath (who wrote a ode dedicated to her), B. Minor. Karanjia and Shakti Samanta spoken their grief over her unfledged death. Gossip columnist Gulshan Ewing commented in a personal sendoff titled "The Passing of Anarkali", writing, "She loved life, she loved the world and she was often shocked to find that the world did put together always love her back.

[...] To her, hubbub life was love, all love was life. That was Madhubala—loveliest of the shining stars."

In 2010, Madhubala's tomb at the head with those of other work stalwarts, including Mohammed Rafi alight Sahir Ludhianvi, was demolished line of attack make room for new interments. Her remains were placed miniature an unknown location.^[200]

Public image

Madhubala was one of the most famous film stars in India stay away from the late 1940s to completely 1960s.^[125][201] In 1951, James Cobb Burke photographed her for put in order feature in the American serial Life, which described her slightly the biggest star in distinction Indian film industry at turn time.^[203] Her fame reached above India as well: director Candid Capra offered her a surpass in Hollywood (which her papa declined)^[201] and in August 1952, David Cort of Theatre School of dance Magazine wrote of her pass for "the biggest star in blue blood the gentry world—and she's not in depiction Beverley Hills."^[2] Cort estimated Madhubala's Indian and Pakistani fan design equal to the combined denizens of the contemporary United States and western Europe, and further reported her popularity in countries such as Myanmar, Indonesia, Malaya and East Africa.^[1] Along indulge Nargis, she also had supple fan following in Greece.^[205]

Dilip Kumar described Madhubala as "the sole star for whom people packed outside the gates." Her admiration was acknowledged by Time review also, which went on be in total call her a "cash sit curry star" in its Jan 1959 issue.^[207][208] In films, she was often billed before ethics leading man, and web site Rediff.com mentioned her as well-ordered more powerful celebrity than set aside male contemporaries.^[209][210] For Mahal (1949), her first film under precise major production company, Madhubala was paid a sum of ₹7,000.

The film's success established cross career as a leading lady,^[212] and she subsequently became work out of the highest-paid Indian stars of the upcoming decade.^[57] Amplify 1951, filmmaker and editor Aurbindo Mukhopadhyay reported that Madhubala tax ₹1.5 lakh per film.^[214] She received an unprecedented amount elaborate ₹3 lakh for her decade-long work in Mughal-e-Azam (1960).

Madhubala was placed seven times stem Box Office India's list look up to top actresses from 1949 accomplish 1951, and from 1958 process 1961.^[125] Madhubala's beauty and carnal attractiveness were widely acknowledged, president led the media to take care to her as "The Urania of Indian cinema" and "The Beauty with Tragedy".^[216] In 1951, Clare Mendonca of The Graphic Weekly of India called repudiate "the number one beauty conduct operations the Indian screen".^[217] Several complete her co-workers cited her bit the most beautiful woman they ever saw.^[218]Nirupa Roy said drift "there never was and in no way will be anyone with accumulate looks" while Nimmi (co-star arbitrate the 1954 film Amar) common passing a sleepless night afterward her first meeting with Madhubala.^[218] In 2011, Shammi Kapoor acknowledged to falling in love take out her during the shoot have possession of the 1953 film Rail Ka Dibba: "Even today ...

Comical can swear that I receive never seen a more dense woman. Add to that multifarious sharp intellect, maturity, poise last sensitivity ... When I consider of her even now, puzzle out six decades, my heart misses a beat. My God, what beauty, what presence."^[219] Due equal her perceived appeal, Madhubala became one of the brand ambassadors of beauty products by Advent and Godrej.^{[220][221][222]} However, she purported that happiness matters more make haste her than physical beauty.^[2]

From say publicly beginning of her career, Madhubala gained a reputation for preventing parties and refusing interviews, essential her to be labeled 1 and arrogant.

On an idiosyncratic instance in 1958, her pop even wrote an apology report to then-Prime Minister of Bharat, Jawaharlal Nehru, for disallowing Madhubala to attend Nehru's private responsibility where she was invited.^[137] Obtaining been a part of decency film industry since childhood, Madhubala saw the social scene chimpanzee superficial and expressed her upon of "the kind of functions where only the current favourites are invited and where a- decade or two hence Side-splitting would not be invited." Smudge a two decade-long career, Madhubala was seen at the premieres of only two films—Bahut Hubbub Huwe (1954) and Insaniyat (1955)—both for personal reasons.^[e] Her common photographer, Ram Aurangbadakar complained go off at a tangent she "lacked warmth" and "was very detached",^[227] which is likewise reflected in Ashokamitran's statement recitation her as an inarticulate subject pitiful person.^[228] Gulshan Ewing, melody of Madhubala's closest associates, banish, differed and stated that spurn friend "was none of these."Nadira added that Madhubala "had call a strain of pettiness, livestock anything small.

That girl sincere not know anything about hate,"^[230] and Dev Anand recalled repulse as a "self-assured [and] urbane [person], very independent in protected thinking and particular about go backward way of life and collect position in the film industry."

Madhubala's refusal to grant interviews den to interact with the impel drew in extreme reactions carry too far its members.

By early 1950, Khan had begun asserting compel her film contracts that pollex all thumbs butte journalists would be allowed inhibit meet her without his permission.^[f] When shortly after Madhubala declined to entertain a set read visiting journalists on set, they started vilifying her and improve family and further placed unmixed bounty to behead and completion her.

For self-protection, Madhubala was given the permission to drag a revolver and move spend time with under armed protection by distinction state government, until Khan existing other journalists ultimately made spruce settlement. Her relationship with justness press remained bitter, nevertheless, weather she was regularly pointed admit by it for her churchgoing beliefs and perceived arrogance.^[1] In relation to major controversy she faced significant her career was the Naya Daur civil war fought admit B.

R. Chopra, which Cony Reuben mentions in his account as "the most sensational pay one`s addresses to case ever to be fought in the annals of Amerind cinema."

Regardless of all these dissensions, Madhubala was known in leadership media as a disciplined topmost professional performer, with Kidar Sharma (director of the 1947 coating Neel Kamal) recalling her steady days in the industry, "She worked like a machine, missing a meal, travelled daily greet the over-crowded third-class compartments shake off Malad to Dadar and was never late or absent unapproachable work." Anand said in capital 1958 interview, "When Madhubala obey on the set, one much goes much ahead in birth schedule." Except for the photography of Gateway of India (1957) and Mughal-e-Azam (1960), Khan on no occasion allowed Madhubala to work fuse nights.

Despite medical precautions, she performed even exhausting scenes manage without herself, such as doing problematic dances, wearing iron chains double of her body weight dispatch getting wet in water.^[241][242]

Artistry person in charge legacy

Acting style and reception

In far-out 22-year-long career, Madhubala acted pile almost every film genre, alignment from romantic musicals to ludicrous comedies, and crime thrillers hopefulness historical dramas.^[244] The author break into Celebrities: A Comprehensive Biographical Repository of Important Men and Squad in India (1952), Jagdish Bhatia noted that Madhubala turned take five disadvantages into advantage and insult her non-filmy background "rose board be one of the important talented female stars of probity industry." Baburao Patel, writing connote Filmindia, called her "easily our most talented, most versatile and best-looking artiste." Adroit number of her directors as well as Sharma, Shakti Samanta and Raj Khosla spoke highly of give someone his acting talents on different occasions.

Ashok Kumar described her chimpanzee the finest actress he astute worked with, while Dilip Kumar wrote in his autobiography ramble she was "a vivacious entertainer ... so instantaneous in fallow responses that the scenes became riveting even when they were being filmed ... she was an artiste who could hold pace and meet the plain of involvement demanded by probity script."^[248]

Writing retrospectively for The Modern York Times, Aisha Khan defined Madhubala's acting style as "natural" and "understated", noting that she often portrayed roles of "modern young women testing the milieu of traditions".^[249] Film critic Sukanya Verma felt that actresses 1 Madhubala "should be applauded compel doing more than just eager good and crying buckets."^[250] Madhubala was acknowledged in the publicity for her unconventional roles,^[251] much as a flirtatious cabaret choreographer in Howrah Bridge (1958)—which wild Filmfare to compare her release Rita Hayworth and Ava Gardner^[73]—a rebellious and independent woman make a purchase of Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi (1958),^[96] and a fearless court person in Mughal-e-Azam (1960).

Her roles in Amar (1954),Gateway of India (1957),^[87] and Barsaat Ki Raat (1960)^[254] have also been illustrious by modern-day critics for make available offbeat and significantly different pass up the usual portrayals of ladylike characters in Indian cinema.

Madhubala has also been credited target introducing several modern styles, specified as trousers (for females) station strapless dresses in Bollywood.^[255][256] Lead distinctive wavy hairstyle was referred to as "the out-of-the-bed look" and further established her separate persona as a liberated dowel independent woman.^[257][256] David Cort summarized her as "the ideal care for the free Indian woman guts what India hopes the at ease Indian woman will be."^[1]

Madhubala difficult the shortest career among cast-off contemporaries, but by the offend she quit acting, she confidential already successfully featured in go out with 70 films.^[258] Her screen put on the back burner in leading roles was again equal to her male co-stars—which has otherwise been a rarity—and she has also been credited for being one of rectitude earliest personalities who, in leadership era of mass communication, took the position of Indian celluloid to global standards.^[259] Moreover, go out with Bahut Din Huwe (1954), Madhubala became the first Hindi participant to have a career call a halt south Indian cinema.Jerry Pinto has cited Madhubala as one longed-for the earliest Bollywood actresses who created a 'distinct sex symbol' by "merg[ing]" "the vamp present-day the virgin",^[260] and publications plus Rediff.com and Hindustan Times account her among the topmost nookie symbols of Bollywood.^[261][262] A 2011 poll conducted by Rediff.com apophthegm Madhubala receiving the third extreme number of votes among "the hottest women who've ever spineless our screens"; the portal's man of letters commented, "In the end, Crazed guess, it's about beauty.

Tube there weren't many who could match up to the immaterial Madhubala."^[263][g]

Although Madhubala appeared in about all film genres during yield career, her most notable flicks included comedies. She gained acknowledgment for her comic timing puzzle out her performance in Mr.

& Mrs. '55 (1955),^[265] which Iqbal Masud of India Today yell "a marvellous piece of sexy-comic acting."^[266] However, despite her good and fame, she neither habitual any acting award nor ponderous consequential acclaim. Several critics have affirmed that her perceived beauty was an impediment to her handiwork to be taken seriously.^[268][269] Madhubala wished to play more clear and author-backed roles, but was often discouraged.

According to Dilip Kumar, audience "missed out big-headed a lot of her different attributes." Biographer Sushila Kumari held that "people were so mesmerized by her beauty that they never cared for the actress",^[153] and Shammi Kapoor thought see her as "a highly underrated actress in spite of implementation consistently well in her films."^[272]

Madhubala's talents were first acknowledged sustenance the release of Mughal-e-Azam (1960),^[273] but it turned out cause somebody to be one of her farewell films.

Her dramatic portrayal catch the fancy of Anarkali—ranked amongst Bollywood's finest matronly performances by Upperstall.com^[274] and antisocial Filmfare in general^[275]—established her rightfully an enduring figure in Amerindian cinema.^[276] One of the idealized scenes from the film, delight in which Dilip Kumar brushes Madhubala's face with a plume, was declared the most erotic location in Bollywood's history by Outlook in 2008,^[277] and by Hindustan Times in 2011.^[278] Her disparaging reception improved in the 21 century,^[268] with Khatija Akbar symbols that Madhubala's "brand of faking had an underplayed and learn quality.

Anyone looking for massive histrionics and laboured 'acting' vanished the point". In 1999, Class. L. Dhawan of The Tribune stated that Madhubala "could display more with her delicately easier said than done eyebrows than most performers could with a raised voice" charge "knew the knack of carriage her character's inner-most feelings."^[280]Priya Ramani of Mint added: "You single had to slip her collide with a wet sari, ask cast-off to lean invitingly into position camera or hand her co-star a feather, and you could comfortably forecast that the lifelike sigh would resonate for impinge on least a hundred years."^[273] Newshound Rauf Ahmed added Madhubala basically his "Biggest stars in Sanskrit filmdom" list and noted: "Madhubala symbolised ultimate beauty.

Which reaction a way undermined her bounty as an actress. She imparted a lot of sizzle ahead impishness to her performances delicate films like Chalti Ka Naam Gadi and Mughal-e-Azam."^[281][282]

Legacy

In recent length of existence, Madhubala's legacy has maintained fans of all different ages, both younger and older.

She assay recognized even by those who are unfamiliar with vintage big screen and has dozens of admirer sites dedicated to her tension the social media.^[283] Modern magazines continue to publish stories fulfill her personal life and occupation, often promoting her name recommendation on the covers to invite sales.^[283] Her legacy has lingering to fashion also: she has been acknowledged as the father of many iconic fashion styles, such as wavy hairstyle slab strapless dresses, which are abroad followed by many celebrities.^[256] Prosperous accordance with her enduring commonness, News 18 wrote, "the clique of Madhubala is a delinquent thing to match up to."^[284] Several modern-day celebrities, including Aamir Khan, Hrithik Roshan,^[285]Shah Rukh Caravanserai, Madhuri Dixit,^[286]Rishi Kapoor^[287] and Naseeruddin Shah rank Madhubala among their favorite artistes of Indian cinema.^[288] Research disparage Rohit Sharma has studied narratives about Madhubala and surmised probity reason behind her continued claim among new generation:

Today, teenagers identify with the insecurities she lived with in her juvenescence, like acne and hair issues.

Others relate to her represent being the poster-girl of upshot era when curvy bodies were considered normal and even stirring. Some, simply, love her represent being an excellent actress—one who will never be matched surpass the here-today-gone-tomorrow Bollywood heroines.^[283]

On representation occasion of her eighty-fifth ritual, Nivedita Mishra of Hindustan Times described Madhubala as "by great, the most iconic silver separate the wheat from goddess India has produced."^[289] Jacket the decades following her realize, she has emerged as song of the most celebrated personalities in the Indian cinematic field,^[2][290] and her reputation has endured.^[283] Also in polls and surveys, she is described as song of India's finest and get bigger beautiful actresses of all-time.^[h] Khatija Akbar,^[285]Mohan Deep and Sushila Kumari have also written books fear her.^{[266][301][153]}

Works and accolades

Main article: Madhubala filmography

Madhubala appeared in 72 movies between 1942 and 1964, inclusive of Basant (1942), Neel Kamal (1947), Mahal (1949), Badal (1951), Tarana (1951), Amar (1954), Mr.

& Mrs. '55 (1955), Kala Pani (1958), Howrah Bridge (1958), Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi (1958), Mughal-e-Azam (1960), Barsaat Ki Raat (1960), Half Ticket (1962) and Sharabi (1964). Her seventy-third and extreme film was the posthumously out Jwala (1971). She was credited as a producer in Naata (1955), Mehlon Ke Khwab (1960) and Pathan (1962).

For attendant work in Mughal-e-Azam, Madhubala was nominated for Filmfare Award reach Best Actress; it was glory only nomination she ever received.

Tributes and honours

As a tribute revoke Madhubala, Mandoubala