26 september 2012 madhubala biography

Indian actress (1933–1969)

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

Born forward raised in Delhi, Madhubala move to Bombay (now Mumbai) sell her family when she was 8 years old and in a short while after began playing minor roles, starting with Basant (1942).

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

& Mrs. '55 (1955), Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi (1958) and Half Ticket (1962), the crime movies Howrah Bridge and Kala Pani (both 1958), and the lyrical Barsaat Ki Raat (1960).

Madhubala's portrayal of Anarkali in integrity historical epic drama Mughal-e-Azam (1960)—the highest-grossing film in India resort to the time—earned her widespread depreciatory acclaim and her only rendezvous for the Filmfare Award agreeable Best Actress; her performance has since been described by critics as one of the payment in Indian cinematic history.

She worked sporadically in film demonstrate the 1960s, making her valedictory appearance in the drama Sharabi (1964). Additionally, she produced combine 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 sustenance her charity work and remote life.

In the early Decade, she had a highly-publicised association with actor Dilip Kumar drift ended amidst the Naya Daur court case (1956–57). She joined actor-singer Kishore Kumar in 1960. Throughout her adult life, Madhubala suffered from recurring bouts good buy breathlessness and hemoptysis caused prep between a ventricular septal defect, early enough leading to her death gorilla the age of 36, pressure 1969.

Early life

Madhubala was clan as Mumtaz Jehan Begum Dehlavi in Delhi, British India, delicate 14 February 1933. She was the fifth of eleven family tree of Ataullah Khan and Aayesha Begum. At least four admonishment Madhubala's siblings died as infants; her sisters who survived impending adulthood were Kaneez Fatima (b.

1925), Altaf (b. 1930), Chanchal (b. 1934) and Zahida (b. 1949).^[a] Khan, who belonged give somebody no option but to the Yusufzai tribe of Pashtuns from Peshawar hole, originating from Swabi District, Northwest Frontier Province^[9] was an wage-earner at the Imperial Tobacco Company.^[9] Unknown to her family comrades, Madhubala was born with skilful ventricular septal defect, a native heart disorder which had inept treatment at the time.^[11][12]

Madhubala weary most of her childhood stem Delhi and grew up hard up any kind of health issues.

Owing to the orthodox text of their Muslim father, neither Madhubala nor any of disclose sisters except Zahida attended school.^[14] Madhubala nevertheless learnt Urdu, Sanskrit, as well as her picking language, Pashto, under her father's guidance.^[15] An avid movie viewer thanks to the beginning, she used colloquium perform her favourite scenes condemn front of her mother perch spend her time dancing accept imitating film characters to divert herself.

In spite of take five conservative upbringing, she aimed scolding become a film actor—which join father strictly disapproved of.

Khan's selection changed in 1940 after do something got fired from his office for misbehaving with a recognizable officer. Madhubala's mother feared coventry if they allowed their juvenile daughter to work in leadership entertainment industry, but Khan remained adamant.

Soon Madhubala was occupied at the All India Transmit advertise station to sing compositions suffer defeat Khurshid Anwar. The seven-year-old spread working there for months,^[18] squeeze became acquainted with Rai Bahadur Chunnilal, the general manager living example the studio Bombay Talkies, substandard in Bombay.^[18] Chunnilal took brainstorm immediate liking towards Madhubala snowball suggested Khan to visit Bombay for better employment opportunities.

Acting career

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

In the summer incessantly 1941, Khan along with Madhubala and other family members resettled to Bombay and settled group in a cowshed present entice the Malad suburbs of Bombay.

Following an approval from ethics studio executives, Chunnilal signed Madhubala to a juvenile role captive 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 cause contract as it did classify require a child actor go bad that time.

Disappointed, Khan challenging to once again return wreath family to Delhi. He in short found low-paid temporary jobs dash the city, but continued ingratiate yourself with struggle financially.

In 1944, Bombay Talkies' head Devika Rani sent quota Khan to summon Madhubala present role in Jwar Bhata (1944). Madhubala did not get prestige role but Khan now undeniable to settle permanently in Bombay seeing a prospect in flicks.

The family again returned crossreference their temporary residence in Malad and Madhubala along with companion father began paying frequent visits to film studios throughout rectitude city in search of swipe. She was soon signed summit a three-year contract with Chandulal Shah's studio Ranjit Movietone, power a monthly payment of ₹300.

Her income led to Caravansary shifting the family to straighten up neighbouring rented house in Malad.

In April 1944, the rented dwellingplace was destroyed in a pier explosion; Madhubala and her affinity survived only because they difficult to understand gone to a local scenario. After shifting into her friend's house, Madhubala continued her ep career,^[30] playing minor roles take away five of Ranjit's films: Mumtaz Mahal (1944), Dhanna Bhagat (1945), Rajputani (1946), Phoolwari (1946) title Pujari (1946); she was credited as "Baby Mumtaz" in go into battle of them.

She faced many problems in these years; midst the shoot of Phoolwari tension 1945, Madhubala vomited blood, which forewarned her illness that was slowly taking root. In 1946, she had to borrow banknotes from a film producer carry the treatment of her eloquent mother. Eager to establish top-hole foothold in the industry, in good health November 1946, Madhubala began ingenious for two of Mohan Sinha's directorial ventures, Chittor Vijay stomach Mere Bhagwaan, which were reputed to be her introduction give somebody the job of the silver-screen in adult roles.^[34]

Madhubala's first project in a advantage role was Sohrab Modi's Daulat, but it was shelved continually (and would not be revitalized until the next year).^[35][36] Supreme debut as a leading lassie came in Kidar Sharma's picture 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 deal in audience and garnered wide knob recognition for Madhubala. She subsequently reteamed with Kapoor in Chittor Vijay and Dil Ki Rani, both of which were movable in 1947, and in Amar Prem, which came out loftiness following year.^[30] These films were unsuccessful ventures that failed difficulty propel her career ahead.

Mid this period, she had be given charge a relatively lesser magnitude than her usual fee nurture attract more offers. To attach her family financially, Madhubala update signed 24 films. Impressed prep between her work in Neel Kamal, in which Madhubala was credited as "Mumtaz", Devika Rani noncompulsory her to take up "Madhubala" as her professional name.^[b]

Rise fit in prominence and superstardom (1948–1957)

Madhubala set up her first critical and advertising success in the drama Lal Dupatta, which The Indian Express mentioned as a breakthrough stretch her.^[30]Baburao Patel described the lp as "the first milestone claim her maturity in screen acting." She received further positive reviews for her supporting parts squeeze up Parai Aag (1948), Paras impressive Singaar (both 1949).

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

The film was produced on a modest sell more cheaply due to financial constraints, clip trade analysts predicting it vertical be a failure owing interrupt its unconventional subject.^[48]Mahal was floating in October 1949 and well-trained to be an immensely favoured film among audience.^[48] In Beyond the Boundaries of Bollywood, Wife Dwyer noted that Madhubala's benightedness among audience added to birth mysterious nature of her character.^[46] The film, which would suspect Madhubala's first of many collaborations with actor and brother-in-law Ashok Kumar, emerged as the position biggest box-office success of prestige year, resulting in her symbol a string of starring roles opposite the leading actors fanatic the time.^[50]

Following another box labour hit in Dulari (1949),^[50] Madhubala played Ajit's love interest fit into place K.

Amarnath's social drama Beqasoor (1950). The feature received guaranteed reviews and ranked among position year's top-grossing Bollywood productions.^[52] Besides in 1950, she appeared conduct yourself the comedy-drama Hanste Aansoo, which became the first Indian husk to be awarded an Mature certification.^[54] The following year, Madhubala starred in the Amiya Chakravarty-directed action film Badal (1951), undiluted remake of The Adventures hark back to Robin Hood.

Her portrayal bequest a princess who ignorantly avalanche in love with Prem Nath's character received mixed reviews; dinky critic praised her looks nevertheless advised her to "learn contract speak her dialogue slowly, patently and effectively instead of super through her lines in a monotone." She subsequently played the soidisant part in M.

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

These films also performed convulsion financially, popularizing the on come to rest offscreen couple among wide audience.^[61] Baburao Patel's filmindia review additional Tarana read, "Incidentally, Madhubala gives the best performance of other screen career in this capacity. She seems to have disclosed her soul at last recovered Dilip Kumar's company."^[63]

Madhubala was cast in the costume sight Shahehshah (1953) before Kamini Kaushal replaced her.^[65] In April 1953, Madhubala founded a production posse called Madhubala Private Ltd.^[66] Class following year, while shooting terminate Madras for S.

S. Vasan's Bahut Din Huwe (1954), she suffered a major health hinder due to her heart constitution. She returned to Bombay afterward completing the film and took a short-term medical leave give birth to work, which led to sit on replacement (by Nimmi) in Uran Khatola (1955).^[69] Madhubala later asterisked in another film of 1954—Mehboob Khan's Amar, portraying a collective worker involved in a adoration triangle along with Dilip Kumar and Nimmi.

Madhubala improvised unblended scene from the film.^[70] Redden was unsuccessful at the box-office.^[72] Nevertheless, Rachit Gupta of Filmfare stated that Madhubala overshadowed weaken co-stars and "floored her impersonation with a nuanced performance."^[73] Prose 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 bunch up own production venture, Naata (1955), in which she co-starred be introduced to her sister Chanchal.

The husk met with a tepid receive and lost a lot grapple money, compelling Madhubala to convey title her bungalow Kismet to make back again the loss.

Madhubala made a retort in 1955 with Guru Dutt's comedy Mr. & Mrs. '55, which emerged as one drug the year's highest-grossing films convoluted India and her biggest go well at that point of time.^[76][77] The film saw her dispatch Anita Verma, a naive scion who is forced by bake aunt into a sham affection with Dutt's character.

Harneet Singh of The Indian Express denominated Mr. & Mrs. '55 "a great ride" and acknowledged Madhubala's "impish charm and breezy farcical timing" as one of wear smart clothes prime assets.^[79] In mid-1956, neat as a pin conflict broke out between Madhubala–Khan and director B.

R. Chopra over the location shoot all-round Naya Daur, in which Madhubala was cast to play loftiness female protagonist. Citing her although uncooperative and unprofessional, Chopra replaced Madhubala with Vyjayanthimala and mint sued the former for ₹30,000 in damages.^[80] The lawsuit extended for about eight months between public scrutiny before Chopra withdrew it after Naya Daur got released.

Subsequently in the years 1956–57, Madhubala reduced her workload put an end to to the lawsuit and bad health issues.

She and Nargis were approached by Guru Dutt look after play either of the deuce female leads (an unfaithful lover or a hooker with undiluted heart of gold) in emperor production, Pyaasa (1957). Unable make inquiries choose between the two meaningful roles, the actresses passed take cover the film to the newcomers Mala Sinha and Waheeda Rehman.^[83][84] Madhubala appeared in two lifetime films in 1956, Raj Hath and Shirin Farhad, both cumbersome and commercial successes.

The mass year, she portrayed a shirker heiress in Om Prakash's Gateway of India (1957), which reviewer Deepa Gahlot believed to suspect one of the finest undertaking of her career.^[87] Madhubala so starred in the drama Ek Saal (1957), which follows influence love story of a terminally-ill ingenue.

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

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

Madhubala forgo her fees to play justness role of an Anglo-Indiancabaret choreographer, which marked a departure outlander her previous portrayals of cultivated characters.^[90] Both Howrah Bridge don Kala Pani begot positive reviews for her and became several of the year's top-grossing films.^[73] She followed this success find out the box office hit Phagun (1958).^[92] In her final unloose of 1958, Madhubala portrayed well-ordered wealthy city woman involved demonstrate a love affair with Kishore Kumar in Satyen Bose's drollery Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi—one ticking off the biggest money-making films thoroughgoing the 1950s.^[94]Dinesh Raheja of Rediff.com referred to it as dignity "fifties jest-setter", adding that Madhubala "exudes oodles of charisma topmost her giggles are infectious."^[95] Handwriting for the same portral march in 2012, columnist Rinki Roy play a part Madhubala's character in Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi as "a uplift favourite": "Her breezy performance stands out as that rare model of an independent, urban ladylove.

[...] For me, Madhubala not bad the face of the starting celluloid diva."^[96]

Her second collaboration link up with Samanta, Insan Jaag Utha (1959), was a social drama integument in which the protagonists groove on the construction of dinky dam.^[97] A modest success, professor critical reception has improved conveying years.^[77][98] Rachit Gupta of Filmfare and Roktim Rajpal of Deccan Herald have cited Madhubala's facilitate as Gauri, a village dream, as one of her reward works.^[77][73] Further in 1959, she received praise for playing participate 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 righteousness role of the misguided 'other' sister." The commercial success abide by Do Ustad (1959), which aphorism her reuniting with Raj Kapoor, was followed by the in no time at all film of Madhubala Private Ltd.—the comedy Mehlon Ke Khwab (1960).

It fared poorly at honesty box office.

Journalist Dinesh Raheja has described K. Asif's Mughal-e-Azam (1960) as the "crowning glory" execute Madhubala's career.^[102][103] Co-starring Dilip Kumar and Prithviraj Kapoor, the lp revolves around a 16th-century boring dancer, Anarkali (Madhubala), and make public affair with the Mughal sovereign Salim (Kumar).

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

She fell under character weight of iron chains, dead candles with her palm, dying for herself for days to draw anguishness in particular scenes leading had continuous water flung dig her face and whole target painted. The decade-long principal taking photographs for Mughal-e-Azam came to drawing end in May 1959 good turn left her exhausted, both physical and mentally, to a dot that she began considering uncluttered retirement.^[109]

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

The film had influence widest release of any Asian film up to that age, and patrons often queued mount day for tickets.^[111] Released raggedness 5 August 1960, it insolvent box office records in Bharat and became the highest-grossing Indian film of all time, a distinction produce revenue would hold for 15 years.^[113] At the 1961 National Skin Awards, Mughal-e-Azam won the National Skin Award for Best Feature Layer in Hindi^[114] and led description 8th Filmfare Awards ceremony convene 11 nominations,^[115] including Best Participant for Madhubala.

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

The interest of Mughal-e-Azam resulted in unembellished string of offers in chief roles, but Madhubala had foul refuse them owing to concoct 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 pick up with Kishore Sahu.^[119][120] She upfront, however, have a few addon releases, which were completed either by body doubles or uncongenial Madhubala herself.

In late 1960, Madhubala was seen in Sakti Samanta's crime film Jaali Note, based on the theme compensation counterfeit money; it was intoxicating financially.^[97] However, Karan Bali not later than Upperstall.com mentioned her role monkey "sketchy" and found the love affair between her and Dev Anand's characters unconvincing.^[122] Madhubala's starring duty 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 Asian Express found her "enchanting",^[123] even as Venkat Parsa of The Siasat Daily noted the rebellious environment of her character, Shabnam, who elopes with her lover (played by Bharat Bhushan) after tiara parents object to the relationship.^[124]

The back-to-back blockbuster successes of Mughal-e-Azam and Barsaat Ki Raat habitual Madhubala as the most go well leading lady of 1960.^[125] She subsequently discontinued her career title only preferred starring as devotion interests in a few movies, 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 groom Kishore Kumar was a disparaging and commercial success as well.^[129] Sukanya Verma called the vinyl one of her most health comedies of all time, gracious the "palpably fond chemistry" mid Madhubala and Kishore.^[130] Also insecure in 1962 was Madhubala Personal Ltd.'s third and last aspect, Pathan, which turned out be against be a box office flop.

Sabbaticals and final work (1964–1969)

Following span sabbatical of two years, Madhubala completed Sharabi in 1964; primacy film would go on plan become her final release enclosure her lifetime.

Baburao Patel, terms for Mother India, praised Madhubala's performance for "reviv[ing] the beat up heartache".^[133] An editor for Rediff.com called Sharabi a "fitting empty to a luminous career, presentation the actress at her uppermost beautiful and her most efficient, a heroine destined not pass away age in any of die away eyes."^[134]

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

Co-starring Sunil Dutt and Sohrab Modi, the film was mainly ready with the help of thing doubles. It marked Madhubala's in reply screen role.

Personal life

Born in ending orthodox Muslim family, Madhubala was deeply religious and practiced Mohammadanism since her childhood. After gaining her family financially in magnanimity late 1940s, she rented top-notch bungalow on Peddar Road remodel Bombay and named it "Arabian Villa".

It became her constant residence until death. She get wind of driving at the age promote to 12 and by adulthood was the owner of five cars: Buick, Chevrolet, Station wagon, Hillman, and Town & Country (which was owned by only several people in India at go off time, the other one work out the Maharaja of Gwalior).^[137] Type a native speaker of one Hindustani languages, she began intelligence English in 1950 from pester actress Sushila Rani Patel streak grew fluent in the jargon in three months.

She further kept eighteen Alsatian dogs type pets at Arabian Villa.^[140]

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

Philanthropy

She achieve actively in charity, which gorgeous editor Baburao Patel to sketch her the "queen of charity".^[143] In 1950, she donated ₹5,000 each to children suffering yield polio myelitis and to illustriousness Jammu and Kashmir relief provide security, and ₹50,000 for the refugees from East Bengal.^[145] Madhubala's go along with sparked off a major issue due to her religious sayings and received wide coverage send back the media at that time.^[143] Subsequently, she kept her magnanimity work guarded and donated anonymously.^[143] In 1954, it was decipher that Madhubala had been indiscriminately giving monthly bonuses to excellence lower staff of her studios.

She also gifted a camera crane to the Film cranium Television Institute of India valve 1962, which is operational uniform today.^[147]

Friendships

When she was a slender and in Delhi, Madhubala challenging a close friend named Latif, to whom she left grand rose before her family relocate to Bombay.

While working restructuring a child artist in loftiness mid-1940s, Madhubala befriended Baby Mahjabeen, another child actor of dump time, who later grew connect as actress Meena Kumari.^[148] Neglect their professional rivalry, Madhubala communal 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 obey the press, Madhubala established spick friendship with journalist B.

Minor. Karanjia, who became one disseminate the few people of surmount profession to be allowed emotions Arabian Villa. Sarla Bhushan, illustriousness wife of Bharat Bhushan, make contact with whom Madhubala had a key bond, died of labour prerequisites in 1957, much to multiple distress. Madhubala was also do up to three of her elementary directors—Kidar Sharma, Mohan Sinha, weather Kamal Amrohi—and while there hold been rumours regarding her vitality emotionally involved with them, brush aside younger sister Madhur Bhushan has refuted such claims.^[151] On interpretation sets of Mughal-e-Azam (1960), Madhubala often ate lunch with Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, a Pakistani counsellor who later served as nobleness country's Prime Minister.

He frayed to visit the sets enormously for Madhubala, and according mention Sushila Kumari was Madhubala's undeserved lover.^[153]

Relationships and marriage

Madhubala's first pleasure was with her Badal co-star Prem Nath, in early 1951. They dated for six months before differences figured out exam to religion—Nath was a Hindu.^[14] Although the relationship fizzled waste soon, Nath nevertheless remained tie up to Madhubala and her sire Ataullah Khan for the lace with of their lives.

Also be glad about 1951, Madhubala began a liaison with actor Dilip Kumar, whom she had earlier met method on Jwar Bhata (1944).^[156] Their affair went on to come by wide media attention throughout blue blood the gentry decade.^[157] It had a gain impact on Madhubala and make up for friends have recalled the succeeding few years as the happiest of her life.

As their self-importance progressed, Madhubala and Dilip got engaged but could not get hitched as Khan had some objections.^[159] Khan wanted Dilip to chisel in his production house's flicks, which the actor refused.

Too, Dilip specified to Madhubala ramble if they were to join, she will have to apart all ties with her parentage. She parted ways with him in 1957 amidst the suite case over the production be beneficial to Naya Daur (1957).^[161] Dilip testified against her and Khan pluck out court, which left Madhubala devastated.^[162][c] In the meantime, Madhubala was proposed marriage by three disregard her co-stars: Bharat Bhushan, fine 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 fellowship with Kishore Kumar,^[95] who was a childhood acquaintance.

They went on to date for span years and had a focus on marriage on 16 October 1960. There are reports suggesting ramble Kumar, a Hindu, had regenerate to Islam to marry take five, but these claims have anachronistic refuted by her sister.^[d] Leadership union was disliked by grouping father, as well as pull together in-laws who had not directly their son to marry neat as a pin Muslim.

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

Health slackening and final years

Soon after their marriage inspect 1960, Madhubala and Kishore Kumar traveled to London along respect her doctor Rustom Jal Vakil, combining their honeymoon with prestige specialised treatment of Madhubala's ignoble disease, which was aggravating fast.

In London, doctors refused unearthing operate on her, fearing provisos, and instead advised Madhubala get tangled avoid any kind of tone and anxiety. She was dissuaded from having any children crucial given a life expectancy late two years. Madhubala and Kishore subsequently returned to Bombay enjoin she shifted to Kishore's soupзon in Bandra.

Her health elongated declining and she now many a time quarrelled with her husband. Ashok Kumar (Kishore's elder brother) nearly that her sickness turned recede into a "bad-tempered" person be proof against she spent most of rebuff time in her father's house.^[180] To escape the bitterness endowment her in-laws due to inexperienced differences, Madhubala later moved tell somebody to Kishore's newly bought flat terrestrial Quarter Deck in Bandra.^[7] Dispel, Kishore stayed in the unbroken only for a short interval and then left her involve a nurse and a driver.^[7] Although he was bearing title her medical expenses, Madhubala matte abandoned and returned to bring about own house in less ahead of two months of her confederation.

For the rest of second life, he visited her on occasion, which Madhubala's sister Madhur Bhushan thought was possibly to "detach himself from her so ditch the final separation wouldn't hurt."^[7] In late June 1966, Madhubala seemed to have partly healthier and decided to return tell off film again with J. Teenaged.

Nanda's Chalaak, opposite Raj Kapoor, which was unfinished since she left the industry. Her retort was welcomed by the transport, but Madhubala immediately fainted style the shoot began; the lp was thus never completed. She was subsequently hospitalized in description Breach Candy Hospital, where she met her former boyfriend Dilip Kumar and returned home puzzle out being discharged.^[14] To alleviate go backward insomnia, Madhubala used hypnotic back up Ashok's suggestion, but it mint exacerbated her problems.

Madhubala spent set aside final years bedridden and absent a lot of weight.

Bare particular fascination was Urdu poem and she regularly watched equal finish films (particularly Mughal-e-Azam) on marvellous home projector.^[14] She grew notice reclusive, meeting only Geeta Dutt and Waheeda Rehman from greatness film industry in those days.^[186] She had to undergo transform transfusion almost every week.^[14] Brush aside body began producing excess caste that would spill out take away her nose and mouth; Vakil had to thus extract nobleness blood to prevent complications, tube an oxygen cylinder had chisel kept by her side whilst she often suffered from hypoxia.^[7][14] After the Chalaak incident, Madhubala turned her attention to album direction and began preparing progress to her directorial debut, titled Farz aur Ishq, in February 1969.^[12]

Death

By trusty 1969, Madhubala's health was crate serious and major decline: she had just contracted jaundice take on urinalysis was diagnosed laugh having hematuria.^[189] Madhubala suffered simple heart attack in the dead of night of 22 February.

After final for few hours amongst frequent family members and Kishore, she died at 9:30 a.m. of 23 February,^[8] only nine days make sure of turning 36. Madhubala was underground at Juhu Muslim Cemetery fasten Santacruz, Bombay along with haunt personal diary.^[193] Her tomb was built with marbles and inscriptions include aayats from Quran and verse dedications.

Due to Madhubala's absence from illustriousness social scene for almost keen decade, her death was detected as unexpected and found ample coverage in the Indian press.The Indian Express recalled her by reason of "the most sought-after Hindi lp actress" of her times,^[195] magnitude Filmfare characterized her as "a Cinderella whose clock had stricken twelve too soon".

A back number of her co-workers including Premnath (who wrote a poem emphatic to her), B. K. Karanjia and Shakti Samanta expressed their grief over her premature litter. Gossip columnist Gulshan Ewing commented in a personal farewell aristocratic "The Passing of Anarkali", poetry, "She loved life, she loved the world and she was often shocked to find that the world did not always love her back.

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

In 2010, Madhubala's tomb along blank those of other industry stalwarts, including Mohammed Rafi and Sahir Ludhianvi, was demolished to bring into being room for new interments.

Supreme remains were placed at almanac unknown location.^[200]

Public image

Madhubala was tune of the most celebrated skin stars in India from high-mindedness late 1940s to early 1960s.^[125][201] In 1951, James Burke photographed her for a feature thorough the American magazine Life, which described her as the principal star in the Indian album industry at that time.^[203] Cobble together fame reached beyond India bit well: director Frank Capra offered her a break in Screenland (which her father declined)^[201] near in August 1952, David Usher of Theatre Arts Magazine wrote of her as "the out-and-out star in the world—and she's not in the Beverley Hills."^[2] Cort estimated Madhubala's Indian gleam Pakistani fan base equal obstacle the combined population of depiction contemporary United States and thriller Europe, and also reported protected popularity in countries such by the same token Myanmar, Indonesia, Malaysia and Orientate Africa.^[1] Along with Nargis, she also had large fan people in Greece.^[205]

Dilip Kumar described Madhubala as "the only star tend whom people thronged outside justness gates." Her fame was acclaimed by Time magazine also, which went on to call junk a "cash and curry star" in its January 1959 issue.^[207][208] In films, she was habitually billed before the leading bloke, and web portal Rediff.com character her as a more ringing celebrity than her male contemporaries.^[209][210] For Mahal (1949), her principal film under a major work hard company, Madhubala was paid uncut sum of ₹7,000.

The film's success established her career though a leading lady,^[212] and she subsequently became one of prestige highest-paid Indian stars of representation upcoming decade.^[57] In 1951, producer and editor Aurbindo Mukhopadhyay bruited about that Madhubala charges ₹1.5 100000 per film.^[214] She received initiative unprecedented amount of ₹3 100000 for her decade-long work note Mughal-e-Azam (1960).

Madhubala was be seven times on Box Business India's list of top name from 1949 to 1951, talented from 1958 to 1961.^[125] Madhubala's beauty and physical attractiveness were widely acknowledged, and led birth media to refer to respite as "The Venus of Amerindian cinema" and "The Beauty joint Tragedy".^[216] In 1951, Clare Mendonca of The Illustrated Weekly authentication India called her "the few one beauty of the Amerindic screen".^[217] Several of her co-workers cited her as the bossy beautiful woman they ever saw.^[218]Nirupa Roy said that "there on no occasion was and never will happen to anyone with her looks" determine Nimmi (co-star in the 1954 film Amar) admitted passing ingenious sleepless night after her be in first place meeting with Madhubala.^[218] In 2011, Shammi Kapoor confessed to down in love with her aside the shoot of the 1953 film Rail Ka Dibba: "Even today ...

I can declare that I have never disregard a more beautiful woman. Combine to that her sharp nous, maturity, poise and sensitivity ... When I think of rebuff even now, after six decades, my heart misses a slow to catch on. My God, what beauty, what presence."^[219] Due to her detected appeal, Madhubala became one show signs of the brand ambassadors of celestial being products by Lux and Godrej.^{[220][221][222]} However, she stated that health matters more to her caress physical beauty.^[2]

From the beginning end her career, Madhubala gained simple reputation for avoiding parties come first refusing interviews, leading her in depth be labeled recluse and swollen with pride.

On an unusual instance squash up 1958, her father even wrote an apology letter to then-Prime Minister of India, Jawaharlal Solon, for disallowing Madhubala to attendant Nehru's private function where she was invited.^[137] Having been marvellous part of the film drudgery since childhood, Madhubala saw greatness social scene as superficial see expressed her despise of "the kind of functions where solitary the current favourites are desirable and where a decade dissatisfied two hence I would remote be invited." In a cardinal decade-long career, Madhubala was avoid at the premieres of sole two films—Bahut Din Huwe (1954) and Insaniyat (1955)—both for remote reasons.^[e] Her regular photographer, Squeeze Aurangbadakar complained that she "lacked warmth" and "was very detached",^[227] which is also reflected incline Ashokamitran's statement describing her makeover an inarticulate and pitiful person.^[228] Gulshan Ewing, one of Madhubala's closest associates, however, differed increase in intensity stated that her friend "was none of these."Nadira added make certain Madhubala "had not a impasse of pettiness, of anything short.

That girl did not know again anything about hate,"^[230] and Dev Anand recalled her as trig "self-assured [and] cultured [person], unpick independent in her thinking sports ground particular about her way manipulate life and her position pointed the film industry."

Madhubala's refusal be required to grant interviews or to help with the press drew encircle extreme reactions from its human resources.

By early 1950, Khan abstruse begun asserting in her ep contracts that no journalists would be allowed to meet refuse without his permission.^[f] When presently after Madhubala declined to receive a set of visiting urge on set, they started derogatory her and her family captivated further placed a bounty want behead and kill her. Tend self-protection, Madhubala was given ethics permission to carry a gat and move around under barbellate protection by the state governance, until Khan and other the fourth estate ultimately made a settlement.

Squash up relationship with the press remained bitter, nevertheless, and she was regularly pointed out by set great store by for her religious beliefs spreadsheet perceived arrogance.^[1] Another major argumentation she faced during her life's work was the Naya Daur laical war fought against B.

Attention. Chopra, which Bunny Reuben mentions in his memoir as "the most sensational court case consistently to be fought in interpretation annals of Indian cinema."

Regardless star as all these dissensions, Madhubala was known in the media reorganization a disciplined and professional player, with Kidar Sharma (director carefulness the 1947 film Neel Kamal) recalling her early days bind the industry, "She worked regard a machine, missed a collation, travelled daily in the over-crowded third-class compartments from Malad do away with Dadar and was never harden or absent from work." Anand said in a 1958 cross-examine, "When Madhubala is on probity set, one often goes untold ahead in the schedule." Demur for the filming of Gateway of India (1957) and Mughal-e-Azam (1960), Khan never allowed Madhubala to work in nights.

In spite of medical precautions, she performed much exhausting scenes by herself, specified as doing complicated dances, exasperating iron chains twice of socialize body weight and getting soaking in water.^[241][242]

Artistry and legacy

Acting constitution and reception

In a 22-year-long occupation, Madhubala acted in almost from time to time film genre, ranging from fancied musicals to slapstick comedies, cranium crime thrillers to historical dramas.^[244] The author of Celebrities: Capital Comprehensive Biographical Thesaurus of Put the lid on Men and Women in India (1952), Jagdish Bhatia noted delay Madhubala turned her disadvantages befall advantage and despite her non-filmy background "rose to be get someone on the blower of the most talented ladylike stars of the industry." Baburao Patel, writing for Filmindia, dubbed her "easily our most talented, most versatile and best-looking artiste." A number familiar her directors including Sharma, Sakti Samanta and Raj Khosla rung highly of her acting capability faculty on different occasions.

Ashok Kumar described her as the masterly actress he ever worked concluded, while Dilip Kumar wrote terminate his autobiography that she was "a vivacious artiste ... middling instantaneous in her responses guarantee the scenes became riveting uniform when they were being filmed ... she was an performer who could keep pace sports ground meet the level of engagement demanded by the script."^[248]

Writing retrospectively for The New York Times, Aisha Khan characterised Madhubala's deceit style as "natural" and "understated", noting that she often describe roles of "modern young cohort testing the limits of traditions".^[249] Film critic Sukanya Verma matte that actresses like Madhubala "should be applauded for doing supplementary contrasti than just looking good subject crying buckets."^[250] Madhubala was indubitable in the media for make up for unconventional roles,^[251] such as natty flirtatious cabaret dancer in Howrah Bridge (1958)—which led Filmfare toady to compare her with Rita Hayworth and Ava Gardner^[73]—a rebellious status independent woman in Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi (1958),^[96] and graceful fearless court dancer in Mughal-e-Azam (1960).

Her roles in Amar (1954),Gateway of India (1957),^[87] famous Barsaat Ki Raat (1960)^[254] put on also been noted by up-to-the-minute critics for being offbeat arena significantly different from the idiosyncratic portrayals of female characters reach Indian cinema. Madhubala has too been credited for introducing a number of modern styles, such as uniform (for females) and strapless dresses in Bollywood.^[255][256] Her distinctive crinkled hairstyle was referred to orang-utan "the out-of-the-bed look" and supplemental established her screen persona chimpanzee a liberated and independent woman.^[257][256] David Cort summarized her pass for "the ideal of the natural Indian woman or what Bharat hopes the free Indian girl will be."^[1]

Madhubala had the send career among her contemporaries, nevertheless by the time she depart from acting, she had already well featured in over 70 films.^[258] Her screen time in best roles was always equal round the corner her male co-stars—which has differently been a rarity—and she has also been credited for entity one of the earliest personalities who, in the era touch on mass communication, took the conclusion of Indian cinema to pandemic standards.^[259] Moreover, with Bahut Confusion Huwe (1954), Madhubala became picture first Hindi actress to imitate a career in south Asiatic cinema.Jerry Pinto has cited Madhubala as one of the primeval Bollywood actresses who created uncut 'distinct sex symbol' by "merg[ing]" "the vamp and the virgin",^[260] and publications including Rediff.com dominant Hindustan Times mentioned her in the middle of the topmost sex symbols fanatic Bollywood.^[261][262] A 2011 poll conducted by Rediff.com saw Madhubala recognition the third highest number characteristic votes among "the hottest cohort who've ever scorched our screens"; the portal's writer commented, "In the end, I guess, it's about beauty.

And there weren't many who could match summation to the ethereal Madhubala."^[263][g]

Although Madhubala appeared in almost all vinyl genres during her career, yield most notable films included comedies. She gained recognition for have a lot to do with comic timing after her operation in Mr.

& Mrs. '55 (1955),^[265] which Iqbal Masud pale India Today call "a awe-inspiring piece of sexy-comic acting."^[266] But, despite her success and make shy, she neither received any deceit award nor critical acclaim. Various critics have stated that quip perceived beauty was an counteraction to her craft to keep going taken seriously.^[268][269] Madhubala wished inspire play more dramatic and author-backed roles, but was often discontented.

According to Dilip Kumar, company "missed out on a barely of her other attributes." Historiographer Sushila Kumari said that "people were so mesmerised by move up beauty that they never terrible for the actress",^[153] and Shammi Kapoor thought of her though "a highly underrated actress cloudless spite of performing consistently in shape in her films."^[272]

Madhubala's talents were first acknowledged after the fulfill of Mughal-e-Azam (1960),^[273] but put on show turned out to be give someone a ring of her final films.

Multifarious dramatic portrayal of Anarkali—ranked surrounded by Bollywood's finest female performances get by without Upperstall.com^[274] and by Filmfare take back general^[275]—established her as an long-lasting figure in Indian cinema.^[276] Sharpen of the romantic scenes diverge the film, in which Dilip Kumar brushes Madhubala's face exhausted a plume, was declared honourableness most erotic scene in Bollywood's history by Outlook in 2008,^[277] and by Hindustan Times update 2011.^[278] Her critical reception haler in the 21st century,^[268] pounce on Khatija Akbar noting that Madhubala's "brand of acting had conclusion underplayed and spontaneous quality.

A woman looking for heavy histrionics presentday laboured 'acting' missed the point". In 1999, M. L. Dhawan of The Tribune stated dump Madhubala "could communicate more siphon off her delicately raised eyebrows more willingly than most performers could with spiffy tidy up raised voice" and "knew rendering knack of conveying her character's inner-most feelings."^[280]Priya Ramani of Mint added: "You only had reach slip her into a damp sari, ask her to sensible invitingly into the camera espousal hand her co-star a haze, and you could comfortably tip 3 that the cinematic sigh would resonate for at least spruce hundred years."^[273] Journalist Rauf Ahmed added Madhubala on his "Biggest stars in Hindi filmdom" particularize and noted: "Madhubala symbolised endure beauty.

Which in a opening undermined her merit as aura actress. She imparted a insufficiently of sizzle and impishness accord her performances in films intend Chalti Ka Naam Gadi challenging Mughal-e-Azam."^[281][282]

Legacy

In recent years, Madhubala's donation has maintained fans of stand-up fight different ages, both younger current older.

She is recognized much by those who are unknown with vintage cinema and has dozens of fan sites emphatic to her on the group media.^[283] Modern magazines continue nominate publish stories on her physical life and career, often supporting her name heavily on depiction covers to attract sales.^[283] Laid back legacy has extended to process also: she has been professional as the creator of repeat iconic fashion styles, such style wavy hairstyle and strapless dresses, which are widely followed get ahead of many celebrities.^[256] In accordance elegant her enduring popularity, News 18 wrote, "the cult of Madhubala is a difficult thing get as far as match up to."^[284] Several latter-day celebrities, including Aamir Khan, Hrithik Roshan,^[285]Shah Rukh Khan, Madhuri Dixit,^[286]Rishi Kapoor^[287] and Naseeruddin Shah rank Madhubala among their favorite artistes of Amerindic cinema.^[288] Research analyst Rohit Sharma has studied narratives about Madhubala and surmised the reason recklessness her continued relevancy among fresh generation:

Today, teenagers identify care the insecurities she lived take out in her youth, like distinguish and hair issues.

Others identify to her for being magnanimity poster-girl of an era conj at the time that curvy bodies were considered frozen and even sensuous. Some, straightforwardly, love her for being comb excellent actress—one who will in no way be matched by the here-today-gone-tomorrow Bollywood heroines.^[283]

On the occasion be successful her eighty-fifth birthday, Nivedita Mishra of Hindustan Times described Madhubala as "by far, the ceiling iconic silver screen goddess Bharat has produced."^[289] In the decades following her death, she has emerged as one of ethics most celebrated personalities in character Indian cinematic field,^[2][290] and unite reputation has endured.^[283] Also interpolate polls and surveys, she recap described as one of India's finest and most beautiful colouring of all-time.^[h] Khatija Akbar,^[285]Mohan Hollow and Sushila Kumari have along with written books about her.^{[266][301][153]}

Works boss accolades

Main article: Madhubala filmography

Madhubala developed in 72 films between 1942 and 1964, including 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). Lead seventy-third and last film was the posthumously released Jwala (1971).

She was credited as unmixed producer in Naata (1955), Mehlon Ke Khwab (1960) and Pathan (1962). For her work squash up Mughal-e-Azam, Madhubala was nominated encouragement Filmfare Award for Best Actress; it was the only condemnation she ever received.

Tributes and honours

As a tribute to Madhubala, Mandoubala