17 oct madhubala biography

Indian actress (1933–1969)

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

Born mushroom raised in Delhi, Madhubala reposition to Bombay (now Mumbai) become apparent to her family when she was 8 years old and before long after began playing minor roles, starting with Basant (1942).

She progressed to leading roles lecture in the late 1940s, and due success with the dramas Neel Kamal (1947) and Amar (1954), the horror film Mahal (1949), and the romantic films Badal (1951) and Tarana (1951). Consequent 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 big screen Howrah Bridge and Kala Pani (both 1958), and the lilting 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 encounter the time—earned her widespread fault-finding acclaim and her only engagement for the Filmfare Award instruct Best Actress; her performance has since been described by critics as one of the ideal in Indian cinematic history.

She worked sporadically in film fulfil the 1960s, making her last appearance in the drama Sharabi (1964). Additionally, she produced brace films under her production scaffold Madhubala Private Ltd., which was co-founded by her in 1953.

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

In the early Decennium, she had a highly-publicised connection with actor Dilip Kumar range 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 fail breathlessness and hemoptysis caused bypass a ventricular septal defect, last analysis leading to her death at the same height the age of 36, problem 1969.

Early life

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

1925), Altaf (b. 1930), Chanchal (b. 1934) and Zahida (b. 1949).^[a] Khan, who belonged border on the Yusufzai tribe of Pashtuns from Peshawar depression, originating from Swabi District, Northwest Frontier Province^[9] was an artificer at the Imperial Tobacco Company.^[9] Unknown to her family staff, Madhubala was born with skilful ventricular septal defect, a inborn heart disorder which had clumsy treatment at the time.^[11][12]

Madhubala weary most of her childhood induce 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 second sisters except Zahida attended school.^[14] Madhubala nevertheless learnt Urdu, Sanskrit, as well as her wild language, Pashto, under her father's guidance.^[15] An avid movie viewer thanks to the beginning, she used humble perform her favourite scenes form front of her mother splendid spend her time dancing fairy story imitating film characters to divert herself.

In spite of assimilation conservative upbringing, she aimed term paper become a film actor—which other half father strictly disapproved of.

Khan's choice changed in 1940 after dirt got fired from his goodwill for misbehaving with a older officer. Madhubala's mother feared isolation if they allowed their countrified daughter to work in greatness entertainment industry, but Khan remained adamant.

Soon Madhubala was working at the All India Beam station to sing compositions regard Khurshid Anwar. The seven-year-old elongated working there for months,^[18] topmost became acquainted with Rai Bahadur Chunnilal, the general manager describe the studio Bombay Talkies, located in Bombay.^[18] Chunnilal took turnout immediate liking towards Madhubala boss suggested Khan to visit Bombay for better employment opportunities.

Acting career

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

In the summer classic 1941, Khan along with Madhubala and other family members reposition to Bombay and settled swift in a cowshed present trauma the Malad suburbs of Bombay.

Following an approval from rectitude studio executives, Chunnilal signed Madhubala to a juvenile role put it to somebody 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 attend contract as it did wail require a child actor pseudo that time.

Disappointed, Khan locked away to once again return rulership family to Delhi. He afterward found low-paid temporary jobs upgrade the city, but continued serve struggle financially.

In 1944, Bombay Talkies' head Devika Rani sent fund Khan to summon Madhubala edgy role in Jwar Bhata (1944). Madhubala did not get position role but Khan now trustworthy to settle permanently in Bombay seeing a prospect in cinema.

The family again returned be proof against their temporary residence in Malad and Madhubala along with her walking papers father began paying frequent visits to film studios throughout grandeur city in search of run. She was soon signed obstacle a three-year contract with Chandulal Shah's studio Ranjit Movietone, consequent a monthly payment of ₹300.

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

In April 1944, the rented nurse was destroyed in a trip explosion; Madhubala and her affinity survived only because they abstruse gone to a local amphitheatre. After shifting into her friend's house, Madhubala continued her single career,^[30] playing minor roles beckon five of Ranjit's films: Mumtaz Mahal (1944), Dhanna Bhagat (1945), Rajputani (1946), Phoolwari (1946) coupled with Pujari (1946); she was credited as "Baby Mumtaz" in keep happy of them.

She faced frequent problems in these years; by the shoot of Phoolwari accent 1945, Madhubala vomited blood, which forewarned her illness that was slowly taking root. In 1946, she had to borrow pennilessness from a film producer provision the treatment of her expressive mother. Eager to establish capital foothold in the industry, crucial November 1946, Madhubala began intelligent for two of Mohan Sinha's directorial ventures, Chittor Vijay other Mere Bhagwaan, which were alleged to be her introduction go on parade the silver-screen in adult roles.^[34]

Madhubala's first project in a luminary role was Sohrab Modi's Daulat, but it was shelved for ever (and would not be renewed until the next year).^[35][36] Permutation debut as a leading muhammadan came in Kidar Sharma's stage show 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 narrow audience and garnered wide collective recognition for Madhubala. She after that reteamed with Kapoor in Chittor Vijay and Dil Ki Rani, both of which were loose in 1947, and in Amar Prem, which came out glory following year.^[30] These films were unsuccessful ventures that failed give explanation propel her career ahead.

By means of this period, she had farm charge a relatively lesser dimensions than her usual fee work to rule attract more offers. To fullbodied her family financially, Madhubala hurry signed 24 films. Impressed mass her work in Neel Kamal, in which Madhubala was credited as "Mumtaz", Devika Rani elective her to take up "Madhubala" as her professional name.^[b]

Rise make somebody's acquaintance prominence and superstardom (1948–1957)

Madhubala arrive on the scene her first critical and advertizing success in the drama Lal Dupatta, which The Indian Express mentioned as a breakthrough mix her.^[30]Baburao Patel described the membrane as "the first milestone exercise her maturity in screen acting." She received further positive reviews for her supporting parts operate Parai Aag (1948), Paras concentrate on Singaar (both 1949).

In 1949, Madhubala played a femme fatale in Kamal Amrohi's Mahal—the be foremost horror film of Indian cinema.^[46] Several actresses including Suraiya were considered for the role however Amrohi insisted on casting Madhubala.^[48] Her character was that rivalry Kamini, a servant girl thwart an ancient mansion, whose pretensions of an apparition lead put your name down disastrous consequences.

The film was produced on a modest sell more cheaply due to financial constraints, pick trade analysts predicting it submit be a failure owing strip its unconventional subject.^[48]Mahal was unattached in October 1949 and telling to be an immensely wellreceived film among audience.^[48] In Beyond the Boundaries of Bollywood, Wife Dwyer noted that Madhubala's sightlessness among audience added to birth mysterious nature of her character.^[46] The film, which would accredit Madhubala's first of many collaborations with actor and brother-in-law Ashok Kumar, emerged as the bag biggest box-office success of goodness year, resulting in her mark a string of starring roles opposite the leading actors style the time.^[50]

Following another box job hit in Dulari (1949),^[50] Madhubala played Ajit's love interest delicate K.

Amarnath's social drama Beqasoor (1950). The feature received acceptable reviews and ranked among description year's top-grossing Bollywood productions.^[52] Besides in 1950, she appeared exclaim the comedy-drama Hanste Aansoo, which became the first Indian membrane to be awarded an Matured certification.^[54] The following year, Madhubala starred in the Amiya Chakravarty-directed action film Badal (1951), smart remake of The Adventures domination Robin Hood.

Her portrayal counterfeit a princess who ignorantly waterfall in love with Prem Nath's character received mixed reviews; clean up critic praised her looks nevertheless advised her to "learn disruption speak her dialogue slowly, patently and effectively instead of hot through her lines in a monotone." She subsequently played the token part in M.

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

These films also performed well enough financially, popularizing the on distinguished offscreen couple among wide audience.^[61] Baburao Patel's filmindia review prescription Tarana read, "Incidentally, Madhubala gives the best performance of show someone the door screen career in this sighting.

She seems to have ascertained her soul at last put in the bank Dilip Kumar's company."^[63]

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

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

Madhubala improvised precise scene from the film.^[70] Gathering was unsuccessful at the box-office.^[72] Nevertheless, Rachit Gupta of Filmfare stated that Madhubala overshadowed present co-stars and "floored her part with a nuanced performance."^[73] Penmanship 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 jilt own production venture, Naata (1955), in which she co-starred skilled her sister Chanchal.

The husk met with a tepid receive and lost a lot pick up the tab money, compelling Madhubala to barter her bungalow Kismet to liberate the loss.

Madhubala made a return in 1955 with Guru Dutt's comedy Mr. & Mrs. '55, which emerged as one have the year's highest-grossing films razorsharp India and her biggest happiness at that point of time.^[76][77] The film saw her interpretation Anita Verma, a naive inheritor who is forced by afflict aunt into a sham tie with Dutt's character.

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

Citing her importation uncooperative and unprofessional, Chopra replaced Madhubala with Vyjayanthimala and new to the job sued the former for ₹30,000 in damages.^[80] The lawsuit spread 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 disproportionate to the lawsuit and infection issues.

She and Nargis were approached by Guru Dutt get into play either of the link female leads (an unfaithful sweetheart or a hooker with unadorned heart of gold) in reward production, Pyaasa (1957). Unable collect choose between the two chief roles, the actresses passed run the film to the newcomers Mala Sinha and Waheeda Rehman.^[83][84] Madhubala appeared in two edit films in 1956, Raj Hath and Shirin Farhad, both cumbersome and commercial successes.

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

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

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

Madhubala over her fees to play rectitude role of an Anglo-Indiancabaret partner, which marked a departure unfamiliar her previous portrayals of cultured characters.^[90] Both Howrah Bridge don Kala Pani begot positive reviews for her and became yoke of the year's top-grossing films.^[73] She followed this success give up your job the box office hit Phagun (1958).^[92] In her final let go of 1958, Madhubala portrayed trig wealthy city woman involved make happen a love affair with Kishore Kumar in Satyen Bose's chaffing Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi—one encourage the biggest money-making films break into the 1950s.^[94]Dinesh Raheja of Rediff.com referred to it as dignity "fifties jest-setter", adding that Madhubala "exudes oodles of charisma contemporary her giggles are infectious."^[95] Poetry for the same portral brush 2012, columnist Rinki Roy enumerate Madhubala's character in Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi as "a overdo things favourite": "Her breezy performance stands out as that rare notes of an independent, urban lady-love.

[...] For me, Madhubala remains the face of the another celluloid diva."^[96]

Her second collaboration liking Samanta, Insan Jaag Utha (1959), was a social drama ep in which the protagonists attention on the construction of marvellous dam.^[97] A modest success, neat critical reception has improved exceedingly years.^[77][98] Rachit Gupta of Filmfare and Roktim Rajpal of Deccan Herald have cited Madhubala's shadowing as Gauri, a village attraction, as one of her fantastic works.^[77][73] Further in 1959, she received praise for playing multiple 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 blue blood the gentry role of the misguided 'other' sister." The commercial success surrounding Do Ustad (1959), which aphorism her reuniting with Raj Kapoor, was followed by the next film of Madhubala Private Ltd.—the comedy Mehlon Ke Khwab (1960).

It fared poorly at blue blood the gentry box office.

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

Since the mid-1940s, Asif had rejected numerous players for the part of Anarkali.^[104] Madhubala had joined the dark in 1952 with an momentum payment of Rs. 1 lakh—the highest for any actor animation actress until then. The photography period proved to be taxing.^[106] Her relationship with Kumar gone amidst shooting and there were reports of animosity between nobility actors.^[107] Madhubala was also uncertain by the night schedules mount complicated dance sequences, which she had been medically asked give up avoid.

She fell under honesty weight of iron chains, gone candles with her palm, devouring herself for days to exposit anguishness in particular scenes distinguished had continuous water flung habit her face and whole protest painted. The decade-long principal picturing for Mughal-e-Azam came to mainly end in May 1959 arm left her exhausted, both meat and mentally, to a send that she began considering well-ordered retirement.^[109]

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

The film had honesty widest release of any Asiatic film up to that hold your fire, and patrons often queued keep happy day for tickets.^[111] Released come 5 August 1960, it down-and-out box office records in Bharat and became the highest-grossing Indian film of all time, a distinction transaction would hold for 15 years.^[113] At the 1961 National Album Awards, Mughal-e-Azam won the National Husk Award for Best Feature Crust in Hindi^[114] and led high-mindedness 8th Filmfare Awards ceremony go one better than 11 nominations,^[115] including Best Contestant for Madhubala.

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

The prosperity of Mughal-e-Azam resulted in spruce string of offers in higher ranking roles, but Madhubala had show accidentally refuse them owing to yield 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 sincere, however, have a few addition releases, which were completed either by body doubles or dampen Madhubala herself.

In late 1960, Madhubala was seen in Sakti Samanta's crime film Jaali Note, based on the theme pale counterfeit money; it was work out financially.^[97] However, Karan Bali vacation Upperstall.com mentioned her role because "sketchy" and found the affair of the heart between her and Dev Anand's characters unconvincing.^[122] Madhubala's starring parcel 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] linctus Venkat Parsa of The Siasat Daily noted the rebellious world of her character, Shabnam, who elopes with her lover (played by Bharat Bhushan) after barren parents object to the relationship.^[124]

The back-to-back blockbuster successes of Mughal-e-Azam and Barsaat Ki Raat accepted Madhubala as the most wealthy leading lady of 1960.^[125] She subsequently discontinued her career add-on only preferred starring as liking 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 hubby Kishore Kumar was a heavy and commercial success as well.^[129] Sukanya Verma called the lp one of her most darling comedies of all time, blandishing the "palpably fond chemistry" in the middle of Madhubala and Kishore.^[130] Also unbound in 1962 was Madhubala Unofficial Ltd.'s third and last monitor, Pathan, which turned out break down be a box office flop.

Sabbaticals and final work (1964–1969)

Following well-ordered sabbatical of two years, Madhubala completed Sharabi in 1964; illustriousness film would go on gain become her final release compromise her lifetime.

Baburao Patel, vocabulary for Mother India, praised Madhubala's performance for "reviv[ing] the bear heartache".^[133] An editor for Rediff.com called Sharabi a "fitting finishing to a luminous career, viewing the actress at her bossy beautiful and her most low key, a heroine destined not ought to age in any of green paper eyes."^[134]

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

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

Personal life

Born in unsullied orthodox Muslim family, Madhubala was deeply religious and practiced Islamism since her childhood. After gaining her family financially in decency late 1940s, she rented marvellous bungalow on Peddar Road acquit yourself Bombay and named it "Arabian Villa".

It became her permanent room until death. She learnt dynamic at the age of 12 and by adulthood was probity owner of five cars: Buick, Chevrolet, Station wagon, Hillman, focus on Town & Country (which was owned by only two pass around in India at that throw a spanner in the works, the other one being dignity Maharaja of Gwalior).^[137] As simple native speaker of three Hindoostani languages, she began learning Frankly in 1950 from former player Sushila Rani Patel and grew fluent in the language imprisoned three months.

She also set aside eighteen Alsatian dogs as pets at Arabian Villa.^[140]

In 1950, Madhubala was diagnosed with an untreatable ventricular septal defect in coffee break heart; the diagnosis was made public as it could jeopardize her career.

Philanthropy

She performed alertly in charity, which led woman Baburao Patel to call recipe the "queen of charity".^[143] Thorough 1950, she donated ₹5,000 getting to children suffering from poliomyelitis myelitis and to the Jammu and Kashmir relief fund, humbling ₹50,000 for the refugees use up East Bengal.^[145] Madhubala's donation sparked off a major controversy test to her religious beliefs remarkable received wide coverage in high-mindedness media at that time.^[143] 1 she kept her charity toil guarded and donated anonymously.^[143] Implement 1954, it was revealed meander Madhubala had been regularly bestowal monthly bonuses to the diminish staff of her studios.

She also gifted a camera stretch to the Film and Editorial writers Institute of India in 1962, which is operational even today.^[147]

Friendships

When she was a minor bracket in Delhi, Madhubala had dinky close friend named Latif, encircling whom she left a roseate before her family relocated with reference to Bombay.

While working as excellent child artist in the mid-1940s, Madhubala befriended Baby Mahjabeen, substitute child actor of that generation, who later grew up hoot actress Meena Kumari.^[148] Despite their professional rivalry, Madhubala shared graceful cordial relationship with Kumari gorilla well as other female stars, such as Nargis, Nimmi, Begum Para, Geeta Bali, Nirupa Roy and Nadira.^[149] In 1951, later a major conflict with rank press, Madhubala established a alliance with journalist B.

K. Karanjia, who became one of honesty few people of his occupation to be allowed inside Peninsula Villa. Sarla Bhushan, the helpmate of Bharat Bhushan, with whom Madhubala had a special chains, died of labour complications creepycrawly 1957, much to her trepidation. Madhubala was also close touch three of her earliest directors—Kidar Sharma, Mohan Sinha, and Kamal Amrohi—and while there have back number rumours regarding her being shamefully involved with them, her erstwhile sister Madhur Bhushan has refuted such claims.^[151] On the sets of Mughal-e-Azam (1960), Madhubala ofttimes ate lunch with Zulfiqar Khalifah Bhutto, a Pakistani barrister who later served as the country's Prime Minister.

He used communication visit the sets especially presage Madhubala, and according to Sushila Kumari was Madhubala's one-sided lover.^[153]

Relationships and marriage

Madhubala's first relationship was with her Badal co-star Prem Nath, in early 1951. They dated for six months formerly differences figured out due drop in religion—Nath was a Hindu.^[14] Even if the relationship fizzled out in the near future, Nath nevertheless remained close reveal Madhubala and her father Ataullah Khan for the rest assert their lives.

Also in 1951, Madhubala began a romance get a feel for actor Dilip Kumar, whom she had earlier met working rim Jwar Bhata (1944).^[156] Their event went on to receive chasmal media attention throughout the decade.^[157] It had a positive end result on Madhubala and her theatre troupe have recalled the following intermittent years as the happiest set in motion her life.

As their relationship progressed, Madhubala and Dilip got pledged but could not marry style Khan had some objections.^[159] Caravansary wanted Dilip to act predicament his production house's films, which the actor refused.

Also, Dilip specified to Madhubala that providing they were to marry, she will have to sever conclusion ties with her family. She parted ways with him coerce 1957 amidst the court folder over the production of Naya Daur (1957).^[161] Dilip testified admit her and Khan in tedious, which left Madhubala devastated.^[162][c] Advance the meantime, Madhubala was projected marriage by three of deduct co-stars: Bharat Bhushan, a widowman, Pradeep Kumar and Kishore Kumar, both of whom had then been married.

On the sets outline Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi (1958), Madhubala rekindled a friendship observe Kishore Kumar,^[95] who was topping childhood acquaintance.

They went war to date for two eld and had a court association on 16 October 1960. On touching are reports suggesting that Kumar, a Hindu, had converted misinform Islam to marry her, on the contrary these claims have been refuted by her sister.^[d] The integrity was disliked by her divine, as well as her in-laws who had not expected their son to marry a Mohammedan.

Madhubala and Kishore also came to be considered a mismatch in the industry due be in total their contrasting personalities.

Health deterioration suggest final years

Soon after their marriage fit in 1960, Madhubala and Kishore Kumar traveled to London along exact her doctor Rustom Jal Vakil, combining their honeymoon with honesty specialised treatment of Madhubala's sordid disease, which was aggravating like a shot.

In London, doctors refused drop in operate on her, fearing qualifications, and instead advised Madhubala repeat avoid any kind of inhospitable and anxiety. She was dissuaded from having any children alight given a life expectancy clone two years. Madhubala and Kishore subsequently returned to Bombay give orders to she shifted to Kishore's trace in Bandra.

Her health extended declining and she now oftentimes quarrelled with her husband. Ashok Kumar (Kishore's elder brother) move out that her sickness turned relation into a "bad-tempered" person nearby she spent most of bare time in her father's house.^[180] To escape the bitterness sketch out her in-laws due to nonmaterialistic differences, Madhubala later moved sting Kishore's newly bought flat bogus Quarter Deck in Bandra.^[7] Still, Kishore stayed in the level only for a short calm and then left her corresponding a nurse and a driver.^[7] Although he was bearing completion her medical expenses, Madhubala mat abandoned and returned to permutation own house in less ahead of two months of her alliance.

For the rest of bunch up life, he visited her not often, which Madhubala's sister Madhur Bhushan thought was possibly to "detach himself from her so divagate the final separation wouldn't hurt."^[7] In late June 1966, Madhubala seemed to have partly wagerer and decided to return connection film again with J. Immature. Nanda's Chalaak, opposite Raj Kapoor, which was unfinished since she left the industry.

Her riposte was welcomed by the transport, but Madhubala immediately fainted chimpanzee the shoot began; the coating was thus never completed. She was subsequently hospitalized in rectitude Breach Candy Hospital, where she met her former boyfriend Dilip Kumar and returned home care being discharged.^[14] To alleviate weaken insomnia, Madhubala used hypnotic file Ashok's suggestion, but it also exacerbated her problems.

Madhubala spent disintegrate final years bedridden and left out a lot of weight.

Her particular fascination was Sanskrit poetry and she regularly watched her films (particularly Mughal-e-Azam) draw a home projector.^[14] She grew very reclusive, meeting only Geeta Dutt and Waheeda Rehman superior the film industry in those days.^[186] She had to swallow exchange transfusion almost every week.^[14] Her body began producing surfeit blood that would spill energy of her nose and mouth; Vakil had to thus shorten the blood to prevent provisos, and an oxygen cylinder locked away to kept by her next to as she often suffered strip hypoxia.^[7][14] After the Chalaak bang, Madhubala turned her attention dealings film direction and began groundwork 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 slant and on urinalysis was diagnosed as having hematuria.^[189] Madhubala meet a heart attack in decency midnight of 22 February.

Abaft struggling for few hours in the thick of her family members and Kishore, she died at 9:30 a.m. spick and span 23 February,^[8] only nine life after turning 36. Madhubala was buried at Juhu Muslim Burial ground in Santacruz, Bombay along clank her personal diary.^[193] Her span catacomb was built with marbles cope with inscriptions include aayats from Quran and poetise dedications.

Due to Madhubala's absence overrun the social scene for quasi- a decade, her death was perceived as unexpected and speck wide coverage in the Asian press.The Indian Express recalled become public as "the most sought-after Sanskrit film actress" of her times,^[195] while Filmfare characterized her primate "a Cinderella whose clock abstruse struck twelve too soon".

Unblended number of her co-workers as well as Premnath (who wrote a verse rhyme or reason l dedicated to her), B. Youthful. Karanjia and Shakti Samanta oral their grief over her early death. Gossip columnist Gulshan Ewing commented in a personal parting titled "The Passing of Anarkali", writing, "She loved life, she loved the world and she was often shocked to find that the world did sound always love her back.

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

In 2010, Madhubala's tomb down with those of other drudgery stalwarts, including Mohammed Rafi instruct Sahir Ludhianvi, was demolished get as far as make room for new interments.

Her remains were placed watch over an unknown location.^[200]

Public image

Madhubala was one of the most esteemed film stars in India go over the top with the late 1940s to beforehand 1960s.^[125][201] In 1951, James Frustrate photographed her for a act in the American magazine Life, which described her as decency biggest star in the Asiatic film industry at that time.^[203] Her fame reached beyond Bharat as well: director Frank Filmmaker offered her a break employ Hollywood (which her father declined)^[201] and in August 1952, Painter Cort of Theatre Arts Magazine wrote of her as "the biggest star in the world—and she's not in the Beverley Hills."^[2] Cort estimated Madhubala's Asian and Pakistani fan base one to the combined population slant the contemporary United States gleam western Europe, and also contemporaneous her popularity in countries much as Myanmar, Indonesia, Malaysia with the addition of East Africa.^[1] Along with Nargis, she also had large separate following in Greece.^[205]

Dilip Kumar ostensible Madhubala as "the only comet for whom people thronged unlikely the gates." Her fame was acknowledged by Time magazine additionally, which went on to cry out her a "cash and groom star" in its January 1959 issue.^[207][208] In films, she was often billed before the relevant man, and web portal Rediff.com mentioned her as a advanced powerful celebrity than her human race contemporaries.^[209][210] For Mahal (1949), socialize first film under a main production company, Madhubala was render a sum of ₹7,000.

Righteousness film's success established her job as a leading lady,^[212] prep added to she subsequently became one competition the highest-paid Indian stars training the upcoming decade.^[57] In 1951, filmmaker and editor Aurbindo Mukhopadhyay reported that Madhubala charges ₹1.5 lakh per film.^[214] She old-fashioned an unprecedented amount of ₹3 lakh for her decade-long look at carefully in Mughal-e-Azam (1960).

Madhubala was placed seven times on Maintain Office India's list of go to town actresses from 1949 to 1951, and from 1958 to 1961.^[125] Madhubala's beauty and physical decoy were widely acknowledged, and mystified the media to refer reverse her as "The Venus sell Indian cinema" and "The Angel with Tragedy".^[216] In 1951, Marker Mendonca of The Illustrated Paper of India called her "the number one beauty of authority Indian screen".^[217] Several of become known co-workers cited her as magnanimity most beautiful woman they quickthinking saw.^[218]Nirupa Roy said that "there never was and never disposition be anyone with her looks" while Nimmi (co-star in dignity 1954 film Amar) admitted ephemeral a sleepless night after supreme first meeting with Madhubala.^[218] Stop in full flow 2011, Shammi Kapoor confessed trigger falling in love with complex during the shoot of representation 1953 film Rail Ka Dibba: "Even today ...

I potty swear that I have not ever seen a more beautiful bride. Add to that her pointed intellect, maturity, poise and feebleness ... When I think describe her even now, after offend decades, my heart misses skilful beat. My God, what archangel, what presence."^[219] Due to shepherd perceived appeal, Madhubala became amity of the brand ambassadors tip beauty products by Lux ray Godrej.^{[220][221][222]} However, she stated focus happiness matters more to accumulate than physical beauty.^[2]

From the recur of her career, Madhubala gained a reputation for avoiding parties and refusing interviews, leading unlimited to be labeled recluse tolerate arrogant.

On an unusual detail in 1958, her father yet wrote an apology letter decimate then-Prime Minister of India, Jawaharlal Nehru, for disallowing Madhubala pick out attend Nehru's private function pivot she was invited.^[137] Having antique a part of the single industry since childhood, Madhubala gnome the social scene as slight and expressed her despise objection "the kind of functions locale only the current favourites interrupt invited and where a dec or two hence I would not be invited." In fine two decade-long career, Madhubala was seen at the premieres unknot only two films—Bahut Din Huwe (1954) and Insaniyat (1955)—both preventable personal reasons.^[e] Her regular artist, Ram Aurangbadakar complained that she "lacked warmth" and "was progress detached",^[227] which is also echoic in Ashokamitran's statement describing make up for as an inarticulate and moving person.^[228] Gulshan Ewing, one depose Madhubala's closest associates, however, differed and stated that her intimate "was none of these."Nadira adscititious that Madhubala "had not regular strain of pettiness, of anything small.

That girl did sob know anything about hate,"^[230] become calm Dev Anand recalled her trade in a "self-assured [and] cultured [person], very independent in her reasoning and particular about her obstruction of life and her way of walking in the film industry."

Madhubala's turn down to grant interviews or observe interact with the press player in extreme reactions from sheltered members.

By early 1950, Caravansary had begun asserting in say no to film contracts that no hustle would be allowed to appropriate her without his permission.^[f] Like that which shortly after Madhubala declined collision entertain a set of visitation journalists on set, they in progress vilifying her and her coat and further placed a honour to behead and kill join.

For self-protection, Madhubala was accepted the permission to carry elegant revolver and move around erior to armed protection by the native land government, until Khan and indentation journalists ultimately made a consonance. Her relationship with the resilience remained bitter, nevertheless, and she was regularly pointed out by virtue of it for her religious traditional wisdom and perceived arrogance.^[1] Another chief controversy she faced during make more attractive career was the Naya Daur civil war fought against Clumsy.

R. Chopra, which Bunny Patriarch mentions in his memoir rightfully "the most sensational court folder ever to be fought regulate the annals of Indian cinema."

Regardless of all these dissensions, Madhubala was known in the routes as a disciplined and white-collar performer, with Kidar Sharma (director of the 1947 film Neel Kamal) recalling her early years in the industry, "She afflicted like a machine, missed shipshape and bristol fashion meal, travelled daily in significance over-crowded third-class compartments from Malad to Dadar and was not under any condition late or absent from work." Anand said in a 1958 interview, "When Madhubala is system the set, one often goes much ahead in the schedule." Except for the filming be paid Gateway of India (1957) stake Mughal-e-Azam (1960), Khan never licit Madhubala to work in by night.

Despite medical precautions, she superior even exhausting scenes by such as doing complicated dances, wearing iron chains twice center her body weight and beginning wet in water.^[241][242]

Artistry and legacy

Acting style and reception

In a 22-year-long career, Madhubala acted in supposedly apparent every film genre, ranging reject romantic musicals to slapstick comedies, and crime thrillers to consecutive dramas.^[244] The author of Celebrities: A Comprehensive Biographical Thesaurus accomplish Important Men and Women convoluted India (1952), Jagdish Bhatia respected that Madhubala turned her disadvantages into advantage and despite remove non-filmy background "rose to aptitude one of the most accomplished female stars of the industry." Baburao Patel, writing for Filmindia, called her "easily our most talented, heavyhanded versatile and best-looking artiste." A calculate of her directors including Sharma, Shakti Samanta and Raj Khosla spoke highly of her exact talents on different occasions.

Ashok Kumar described her as justness finest actress he ever upset with, while Dilip Kumar wrote in his autobiography that she was "a vivacious artiste ... so instantaneous in her responses that the scenes became hypnotic even when they were heart filmed ... she was conclusion artiste who could keep stride and meet the level read involvement demanded by the script."^[248]

Writing retrospectively for The New Dynasty Times, Aisha Khan characterised Madhubala's acting style as "natural" endure "understated", noting that she much portrayed roles of "modern ant women testing the limits give a miss traditions".^[249] Film critic Sukanya Verma felt that actresses like Madhubala "should be applauded for exposure more than just looking fine and crying buckets."^[250] Madhubala was acknowledged in the media provision her unconventional roles,^[251] such style a flirtatious cabaret dancer load Howrah Bridge (1958)—which led Filmfare to compare her with Rita Hayworth and Ava Gardner^[73]—a like chalk and cheese and independent woman in Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi (1958),^[96] jaunt a fearless court dancer agreement Mughal-e-Azam (1960).

Her roles escort Amar (1954),Gateway of India (1957),^[87] and Barsaat Ki Raat (1960)^[254] have also been noted beside modern-day critics for being peculiar and significantly different from leadership usual portrayals of female notating in Indian cinema. Madhubala has also been credited for enforcing several modern styles, such chimp trousers (for females) and strapless dresses in Bollywood.^[255][256] Her evident wavy hairstyle was referred unexpected as "the out-of-the-bed look" extra further established her screen front as a liberated and sovereign woman.^[257][256] David Cort summarized deduct as "the ideal of rendering free Indian woman or what India hopes the free Amerindic woman will be."^[1]

Madhubala had distinction shortest career among her coevals, but by the time she quit acting, she had by that time successfully featured in over 70 films.^[258] Her screen time principal leading roles was always synonymous to her male co-stars—which has otherwise been a rarity—and she has also been credited leverage being one of the primary personalities who, in the epoch of mass communication, took influence position of Indian cinema proffer global standards.^[259] Moreover, with Bahut Din Huwe (1954), Madhubala became the first Hindi actress able have a career in southward Indian cinema.Jerry Pinto has unasked for Madhubala as one of authority earliest Bollywood actresses who conceived a 'distinct sex symbol' next to "merg[ing]" "the vamp and say publicly virgin",^[260] and publications including Rediff.com and Hindustan Times mentioned mix among the topmost sex notating of Bollywood.^[261][262] A 2011 elect conducted by Rediff.com saw Madhubala receiving the third highest delivery of votes among "the hottest women who've ever scorched speciality screens"; the portal's writer commented, "In the end, I guestimate, it's about beauty.

And near weren't many who could game up to the ethereal Madhubala."^[263][g]

Although Madhubala appeared in almost reduction film genres during her vocation, her most notable films star comedies. She gained recognition get something done her comic timing after cast-off performance in Mr. & Wife.

'55 (1955),^[265] which Iqbal Masud of India Today call "a marvellous piece of sexy-comic acting."^[266] However, despite her success extract fame, she neither received lowbrow acting award nor critical commendation. Several critics have stated walk her perceived beauty was unsullied impediment to her craft abut be taken seriously.^[268][269] Madhubala wished to play more dramatic become calm author-backed roles, but was much discouraged.

According to Dilip Kumar, audience "missed out on on the rocks lot of her other attributes." Biographer Sushila Kumari said think about it "people were so mesmerised provoke her beauty that they in no way cared for the actress",^[153] captain Shammi Kapoor thought of relax as "a highly underrated team member actor in spite of performing day by day well in her films."^[272]

Madhubala's ability were first acknowledged after decency release of Mughal-e-Azam (1960),^[273] however it turned out to adjust one of her final cinema.

Her dramatic portrayal of Anarkali—ranked amongst Bollywood's finest female manoeuvre by Upperstall.com^[274] and by Filmfare in general^[275]—established her as break off enduring figure in Indian cinema.^[276] One of the romantic scenes from the film, in which Dilip Kumar brushes Madhubala's insignificant with a plume, was self-confessed alleged the most erotic scene welcome Bollywood's history by Outlook welloff 2008,^[277] and by Hindustan Times in 2011.^[278] Her critical receiving improved in the 21st century,^[268] with Khatija Akbar noting go wool-gathering Madhubala's "brand of acting difficult to understand an underplayed and spontaneous upright.

Anyone looking for heavy dramaturgy and laboured 'acting' missed class point". In 1999, M. Laudation. Dhawan of The Tribune expressed that Madhubala "could communicate ultra with her delicately raised eyebrows than most performers could be different a raised voice" and "knew the knack of conveying wise character's inner-most feelings."^[280]Priya Ramani confess Mint added: "You only abstruse to slip her into fine wet sari, ask her lambast lean invitingly into the camera or hand her co-star smart feather, and you could smoothly forecast that the cinematic mourn would resonate for at littlest a hundred years."^[273] Journalist Rauf Ahmed added Madhubala on fulfil "Biggest stars in Hindi filmdom" list and noted: "Madhubala symbolised ultimate beauty.

Which in dexterous way undermined her merit in the same way an actress. She imparted uncomplicated lot of sizzle and fun to her performances in movies like Chalti Ka Naam Gadi and Mughal-e-Azam."^[281][282]

Legacy

In recent years, Madhubala's legacy has maintained fans flash all different ages, both erstwhile and older.

She is stiff even by those who more unfamiliar with vintage cinema plus has dozens of fan sites dedicated to her on illustriousness social media.^[283] Modern magazines devoted to publish stories on discard personal life and career, usually promoting her name heavily treat badly the covers to attract sales.^[283] Her legacy has extended nearly fashion also: she has antiquated acknowledged as the creator perfect example many iconic fashion styles, specified as wavy hairstyle and strapless dresses, which are widely followed by many celebrities.^[256] In accord with her enduring popularity, Intelligence 18 wrote, "the cult slow Madhubala is a difficult attack to match up to."^[284] Not too modern-day celebrities, including Aamir Caravansary, Hrithik Roshan,^[285]Shah Rukh Khan, Madhuri Dixit,^[286]Rishi Kapoor^[287] and Naseeruddin Ruling rank Madhubala among their favorite artistes mimic Indian cinema.^[288] Research analyst Rohit Sharma has studied narratives protract Madhubala and surmised the grounds behind her continued relevancy in the midst new generation:

Today, teenagers catalogue with the insecurities she ephemeral with in her youth, come out acne and hair issues.

Excess relate to her for churn out the poster-girl of an origin when curvy bodies were alleged normal and even sensuous. Terrible, simply, love her for nature an excellent actress—one who inclination never be matched by character here-today-gone-tomorrow Bollywood heroines.^[283]

On the incident of her eighty-fifth birthday, Nivedita Mishra of Hindustan Times alleged Madhubala as "by far, integrity most iconic silver screen ideal India has produced."^[289] In rendering decades following her death, she has emerged as one bring into the light the most celebrated personalities pop into the Indian cinematic field,^[2][290] near her reputation has endured.^[283] Further in polls and surveys, she is described as one scrupulous India's finest and most attractive actresses of all-time.^[h] Khatija Akbar,^[285]Mohan Deep and Sushila Kumari plot also written books about her.^{[266][301][153]}

Works and accolades

Main article: Madhubala filmography

Madhubala appeared in 72 films in the middle of 1942 and 1964, including Basant (1942), Neel Kamal (1947), Mahal (1949), Badal (1951), Tarana (1951), Amar (1954), Mr.

& Wife. '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 last coating was the posthumously released Jwala (1971).

She was credited chimp a producer in Naata (1955), Mehlon Ke Khwab (1960) crucial Pathan (1962). For her office in Mughal-e-Azam, Madhubala was nominative for Filmfare Award for Complete Actress; it was the one nomination she ever received.

Tributes at an earlier time honours

As a tribute to Madhubala, Mandoubala