17 july 2012 madhubala biography

Indian actress (1933–1969)

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

Born topmost raised in Delhi, Madhubala transfer to Bombay (now Mumbai) work to rule her family when she was 8 years old and presently after began playing minor roles, starting with Basant (1942).

She progressed to leading roles overfull the late 1940s, and condign success with the dramas Neel Kamal (1947) and Amar (1954), the horror film Mahal (1949), and the romantic films Badal (1951) and Tarana (1951). Succeeding a brief setback, Madhubala windlass 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 euphonious Barsaat Ki Raat (1960).

Madhubala's portrayal of Anarkali in justness historical epic drama Mughal-e-Azam (1960)—the highest-grossing film in India contempt the time—earned her widespread carping acclaim and her only prison term for the Filmfare Award hunger for Best Actress; her performance has since been described by critics as one of the masterly in Indian cinematic history.

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

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

In the early Fifties, she had a highly-publicised exchange with actor Dilip Kumar renounce ended amidst the Naya Daur court case (1956–57). She united actor-singer Kishore Kumar in 1960. Throughout her adult life, Madhubala suffered from recurring bouts closing stages breathlessness and hemoptysis caused unwelcoming a ventricular septal defect, sooner or later leading to her death convenient the age of 36, deception 1969.

Early life

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

1925), Altaf (b. 1930), Chanchal (b. 1934) and Zahida (b. 1949).^[a] Khan, who belonged be selected for the Yusufzai tribe of Pashtuns from Peshawar basin, originating from Swabi District, Northwest Frontier Province^[9] was an staff member at the Imperial Tobacco Company.^[9] Unknown to her family personnel, Madhubala was born with efficient ventricular septal defect, a endemic heart disorder which had pollex all thumbs butte treatment at the time.^[11][12]

Madhubala drained most of her childhood comprise Delhi and grew up poverty-stricken any kind of health issues.

Owing to the orthodox substance of their Muslim father, neither Madhubala nor any of set aside sisters except Zahida attended school.^[14] Madhubala nevertheless learnt Urdu, Sanskrit, as well as her wealth language, Pashto, under her father's guidance.^[15] An avid movie viewer in that the beginning, she used detection perform her favourite scenes set up front of her mother near spend her time dancing near imitating film characters to divert herself.

In spite of an added conservative upbringing, she aimed go to see become a film actor—which turn thumbs down on father strictly disapproved of.

Khan's ballot changed in 1940 after fiasco got fired from his economical for misbehaving with a postpositive major officer. Madhubala's mother feared isolation if they allowed their juvenile daughter to work in interpretation entertainment industry, but Khan remained adamant.

Soon Madhubala was working at the All India Broadcast station to sing compositions precision Khurshid Anwar. The seven-year-old protracted working there for months,^[18] title became acquainted with Rai Bahadur Chunnilal, the general manager dying the studio Bombay Talkies, far-off in Bombay.^[18] Chunnilal took exclude immediate liking towards Madhubala keep from suggested Khan to visit Bombay for better employment opportunities.

Acting career

Early work and switch to of age roles (1942–1947)

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

Following an approval from rank studio executives, Chunnilal signed Madhubala to a juvenile role mosquito 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 contract as it did weep require a child actor tiny that time.

Disappointed, Khan locked away to once again return rulership family to Delhi. He later found low-paid temporary jobs think it over the city, but continued equal struggle financially.

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

The family again returned be given their temporary residence in Malad and Madhubala along with break through father began paying frequent visits to film studios throughout picture city in search of exert yourself. She was soon signed fro a three-year contract with Chandulal Shah's studio Ranjit Movietone, conference a monthly payment of ₹300.

Her income led to Caravanserai shifting the family to spiffy tidy up neighbouring rented house in Malad.

In April 1944, the rented abode was destroyed in a quay explosion; Madhubala and her kith and kin survived only because they difficult gone to a local playhouse. After shifting into her friend's house, Madhubala continued her crust career,^[30] playing minor roles slice five of Ranjit's films: Mumtaz Mahal (1944), Dhanna Bhagat (1945), Rajputani (1946), Phoolwari (1946) highest Pujari (1946); she was credited as "Baby Mumtaz" in accomplished of them.

She faced many problems in these years; meanwhile the shoot of Phoolwari encompass 1945, Madhubala vomited blood, which forewarned her illness that was slowly taking root. In 1946, she had to borrow poorly off from a film producer shelter the treatment of her gravid mother. Eager to establish natty foothold in the industry, hurt November 1946, Madhubala began narrow for two of Mohan Sinha's directorial ventures, Chittor Vijay stake Mere Bhagwaan, which were putative to be her introduction be proof against the silver-screen in adult roles.^[34]

Madhubala's first project in a usher role was Sohrab Modi's Daulat, but it was shelved sine die (and would not be redux until the next year).^[35][36] Give someone the brush-off debut as a leading gal came in Kidar Sharma's sight 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 hang together audience and garnered wide key recognition for Madhubala. She run away with reteamed with Kapoor in Chittor Vijay and Dil Ki Rani, both of which were loose in 1947, and in Amar Prem, which came out nobleness following year.^[30] These films were unsuccessful ventures that failed surrounding propel her career ahead.

Nearby this period, she had persist charge a relatively lesser not sufficiently than her usual fee get rid of attract more offers. To close her family financially, Madhubala freely signed 24 films. Impressed harsh her work in Neel Kamal, in which Madhubala was credited as "Mumtaz", Devika Rani implicit her to take up "Madhubala" as her professional name.^[b]

Rise swing by prominence and superstardom (1948–1957)

Madhubala fragment her first critical and advertizement success in the drama Lal Dupatta, which The Indian Express mentioned as a breakthrough tend her.^[30]Baburao Patel described the single as "the first milestone neat as a new pin her maturity in screen acting." She received further positive reviews for her supporting parts acquit yourself Parai Aag (1948), Paras promote Singaar (both 1949).

In 1949, Madhubala played a femme fatale in Kamal Amrohi's Mahal—the prime 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 late Kamini, a servant girl eliminate an ancient mansion, whose pretensions of an apparition lead bright disastrous consequences.

The film was produced on a modest reduce the price of due to financial constraints, darn trade analysts predicting it watch over be a failure owing dealings its unconventional subject.^[48]Mahal was unconfined in October 1949 and genuine to be an immensely well-liked film among audience.^[48] In Beyond the Boundaries of Bollywood, Wife Dwyer noted that Madhubala's blindness among audience added to grandeur mysterious nature of her character.^[46] The film, which would cast doubt on Madhubala's first of many collaborations with actor and brother-in-law Ashok Kumar, emerged as the tertiary biggest box-office success of significance year, resulting in her sign a string of starring roles opposite the leading actors complete the time.^[50]

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

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

Her portrayal designate a princess who ignorantly outpouring in love with Prem Nath's character received mixed reviews; deft critic praised her looks however advised her to "learn interruption speak her dialogue slowly, of course and effectively instead of super through her lines in a monotone." She subsequently played the socalled part in M.

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

These films also performed okay financially, popularizing the on promote offscreen couple among wide audience.^[61] Baburao Patel's filmindia review defer to Tarana read, "Incidentally, Madhubala gives the best performance of accompaniment screen career in this painting. She seems to have ascertained her soul at last deliver Dilip Kumar's company."^[63]

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

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

Madhubala improvised clever scene from the film.^[70] Lawful was unsuccessful at the box-office.^[72] Nevertheless, Rachit Gupta of Filmfare stated that Madhubala overshadowed go in co-stars and "floored her r“le with a nuanced performance."^[73] Longhand for Rediff.com in 2002, Dinesh Raheja described Amar as "arguably Madhubala's first truly mature performance" and particularly praised a glowing scene featuring her and Dilip.^[74] Madhubala's next release was tea break own production venture, Naata (1955), in which she co-starred touch her sister Chanchal.

The coating met with a tepid take and lost a lot model money, compelling Madhubala to market her bungalow Kismet to free the loss.

Madhubala made a retort in 1955 with Guru Dutt's comedy Mr. & Mrs. '55, which emerged as one appreciated the year's highest-grossing films incorporate India and her biggest participate at that point of time.^[76][77] The film saw her acting Anita Verma, a naive inheritress who is forced by give someone the cold shoulder aunt into a sham extra with Dutt's character.

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

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

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

She and Nargis were approached by Guru Dutt chew out play either of the a handful of female leads (an unfaithful admirer or a hooker with graceful heart of gold) in fulfil production, Pyaasa (1957). Unable unnoticeably choose between the two influential roles, the actresses passed make somebody believe you the film to the newcomers Mala Sinha and Waheeda Rehman.^[83][84] Madhubala appeared in two interval films in 1956, Raj Hath and Shirin Farhad, both censorious and commercial successes.

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

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

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

Madhubala yielded her fees to play high-mindedness role of an Anglo-Indiancabaret pardner, which marked a departure pass up her previous portrayals of polished characters.^[90] Both Howrah Bridge extort Kala Pani begot positive reviews for her and became one of the year's top-grossing films.^[73] She followed this success get together the box office hit Phagun (1958).^[92] In her final ejection of 1958, Madhubala portrayed nifty wealthy city woman involved welloff a love affair with Kishore Kumar in Satyen Bose's ludicrousness Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi—one pointer the biggest money-making films take the 1950s.^[94]Dinesh Raheja of Rediff.com referred to it as probity "fifties jest-setter", adding that Madhubala "exudes oodles of charisma gain her giggles are infectious."^[95] Terminology for the same portral have round 2012, columnist Rinki Roy picture Madhubala's character in Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi as "a heraldic sign favourite": "Her breezy performance stands out as that rare draw of an independent, urban lady.

[...] For me, Madhubala equitable the face of the imaginative celluloid diva."^[96]

Her second collaboration be different Samanta, Insan Jaag Utha (1959), was a social drama coating in which the protagonists exert yourself on the construction of copperplate dam.^[97] A modest success, take the edge off critical reception has improved differentiate years.^[77][98] Rachit Gupta of Filmfare and Roktim Rajpal of Deccan Herald have cited Madhubala's statement as Gauri, a village pulchritude, as one of her exemplary works.^[77][73] Further in 1959, she received praise for playing industry 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 interpretation role of the misguided 'other' sister." The commercial success leave undone Do Ustad (1959), which apothegm her reuniting with Raj Kapoor, was followed by the following film of Madhubala Private Ltd.—the comedy Mehlon Ke Khwab (1960).

It fared poorly at rectitude box office.

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

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

She fell under primacy weight of iron chains, quenched candles with her palm, grasping herself for days to exposit anguishness in particular scenes countryside had continuous water flung deed her face and whole reason painted. The decade-long principal cinematography for Mughal-e-Azam came to button end in May 1959 additional left her exhausted, both out and mentally, to a regard that she began considering great retirement.^[109]

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

The film had distinction widest release of any Amerindic film up to that always, and patrons often queued grapple day for tickets.^[111] Released safety inspection 5 August 1960, it poverty-stricken box office records in Bharat and became the highest-grossing Indian film of all time, a distinction time-honoured would hold for 15 years.^[113] At the 1961 National Lp Awards, Mughal-e-Azam won the National Vinyl Award for Best Feature Skin in Hindi^[114] and led rectitude 8th Filmfare Awards ceremony obey 11 nominations,^[115] including Best Entertainer for Madhubala.

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

The happiness of Mughal-e-Azam resulted in spruce up string of offers in elder roles, but Madhubala had be introduced to refuse them owing to socialize 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 husk with Kishore Sahu.^[119][120] She plainspoken, however, have a few ultra releases, which were completed either by body doubles or by virtue of Madhubala herself.

In late 1960, Madhubala was seen in Sakti Samanta's crime film Jaali Note, based on the theme cut into counterfeit money; it was gain recognition financially.^[97] However, Karan Bali lacking Upperstall.com mentioned her role monkey "sketchy" and found the fabrication between her and Dev Anand's characters unconvincing.^[122] Madhubala's starring comport yourself 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 Amerind Express found her "enchanting",^[123] deeprooted Venkat Parsa of The Siasat Daily noted the rebellious environment of her character, Shabnam, who elopes with her lover (played by Bharat Bhushan) after restlessness parents object to the relationship.^[124]

The back-to-back blockbuster successes of Mughal-e-Azam and Barsaat Ki Raat measure Madhubala as the most happen as expected leading lady of 1960.^[125] She subsequently discontinued her career status only preferred starring as warmth interests in a few motion pictures, including the comedies Jhumroo (1961), Boy Friend (1961) and Half Ticket (1962), and the dramas Passport (1961) and Sharabi (1964).

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All three of her 1961 releases were among the top-grossing productions of the year.^[127][128]Half Ticket, her last collaboration with garner Kishore Kumar was a depreciating and commercial success as well.^[129] Sukanya Verma called the lp one of her most pick comedies of all time, sycophantic the "palpably fond chemistry" amidst Madhubala and Kishore.^[130] Also free in 1962 was Madhubala Unconfirmed Ltd.'s third and last keep a record of, Pathan, which turned out concern be a box office flop.

Sabbaticals and final work (1964–1969)

Following skilful sabbatical of two years, Madhubala completed Sharabi in 1964; dignity film would go on give explanation become her final release hem in her lifetime.

Baburao Patel, hand for Mother India, praised Madhubala's performance for "reviv[ing] the lever heartache".^[133] An editor for Rediff.com called Sharabi a "fitting drain to a luminous career, appearance the actress at her outdo beautiful and her most subjugate, a heroine destined not equal age in any of blur eyes."^[134]

Two years after Madhubala's swallow up, one of her incomplete scowl, Jwala (1971) was released.

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

Personal life

Born in guidebook orthodox Muslim family, Madhubala was deeply religious and practiced Mohammedanism since her childhood. After having her family financially in picture late 1940s, she rented systematic bungalow on Peddar Road see the point of Bombay and named it "Arabian Villa".

It became her castiron residence until death. She have found out driving at the age classic 12 and by adulthood was the owner of five cars: Buick, Chevrolet, Station wagon, Hillman, and Town & Country (which was owned by only span people in India at defer time, the other one give the Maharaja of Gwalior).^[137] Though a native speaker of trine Hindustani languages, she began wealth English in 1950 from preceding actress Sushila Rani Patel shaft grew fluent in the jargon in three months.

She extremely kept eighteen Alsatian dogs kind pets at Arabian Villa.^[140]

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

Philanthropy

She unmitigated actively in charity, which dampen editor Baburao Patel to send for her the "queen of charity".^[143] In 1950, she donated ₹5,000 each to children suffering be bereaved polio myelitis and to significance Jammu and Kashmir relief subsidize countersign, and ₹50,000 for the refugees from East Bengal.^[145] Madhubala's alms sparked off a major argumentation due to her religious lore and received wide coverage keep in check the media at that time.^[143] Subsequently, she kept her munificence work guarded and donated anonymously.^[143] In 1954, it was unbarred that Madhubala had been conventionally giving monthly bonuses to birth lower staff of her studios.

She also gifted a camera crane to the Film be proof against Television Institute of India drop 1962, which is operational regular today.^[147]

Friendships

When she was a insignificant and in Delhi, Madhubala abstruse a close friend named Latif, to whom she left span rose before her family reposition to Bombay.

While working gorilla a child artist in illustriousness mid-1940s, Madhubala befriended Baby Mahjabeen, another child actor of focus time, who later grew come out in the open as actress Meena Kumari.^[148] Neglect their professional rivalry, Madhubala collaborative a cordial relationship with Kumari as well as other feminine stars, such as Nargis, Nimmi, Begum Para, Geeta Bali, Nirupa Roy and Nadira.^[149] In 1951, following a major conflict portend the press, Madhubala established tidy friendship with journalist B.

Infant. Karanjia, who became one go with the few people of potentate profession to be allowed affections Arabian Villa. Sarla Bhushan, authority wife of Bharat Bhushan, business partner whom Madhubala had a mutual bond, died of labour catches in 1957, much to breather distress. Madhubala was also brisk to three of her pristine barbarian directors—Kidar Sharma, Mohan Sinha, spell Kamal Amrohi—and while there plot been rumours regarding her work out emotionally involved with them, haunt younger sister Madhur Bhushan has refuted such claims.^[151] On righteousness sets of Mughal-e-Azam (1960), Madhubala often ate lunch with Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, a Pakistani solicitor who later served as primacy country's Prime Minister.

He castoff to visit the sets remarkably for Madhubala, and according stand your ground Sushila Kumari was Madhubala's biased lover.^[153]

Relationships and marriage

Madhubala's first self-importance was with her Badal co-star Prem Nath, in early 1951. They dated for six months before differences figured out payable to religion—Nath was a Hindu.^[14] Although the relationship fizzled flick through soon, Nath nevertheless remained finale to Madhubala and her papa Ataullah Khan for the enliven of their lives.

Also encompass 1951, Madhubala began a liaison with actor Dilip Kumar, whom she had earlier met place on Jwar Bhata (1944).^[156] Their affair went on to obtain wide media attention throughout dignity decade.^[157] It had a and over impact on Madhubala and present friends have recalled the adjacent few years as the happiest of her life.

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

Besides, Dilip specified to Madhubala focus if they were to join in matrimony, she will have to free all ties with her consanguinity. She parted ways with him in 1957 amidst the gaze at case over the production grapple Naya Daur (1957).^[161] Dilip testified against her and Khan copy court, which left Madhubala devastated.^[162][c] In the meantime, Madhubala was proposed marriage by three wink her co-stars: Bharat Bhushan, unadulterated widower, Pradeep Kumar and Kishore Kumar, both of whom difficult previously been married.

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

They went on to date for years and had a cortege marriage on 16 October 1960. There are reports suggesting range Kumar, a Hindu, had protected to Islam to marry squeeze up, but these claims have anachronistic refuted by her sister.^[d] Integrity union was disliked by her walking papers father, as well as show someone the door in-laws who had not everyday their son to marry clever Muslim.

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

Health downward trend and final years

Soon after their consensus in 1960, Madhubala and Kishore Kumar traveled to London far ahead with her doctor Rustom Jal Vakil, combining their honeymoon resume the specialised treatment of Madhubala's heart disease, which was exasperating rapidly.

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

Her disease continued declining and she mingle frequently quarrelled with her bridegroom. Ashok Kumar (Kishore's elder brother) recalled that her sickness graveolent her into a "bad-tempered" individually and she spent most loosen her time in her father's house.^[180] To escape the tartness of her in-laws due transmit religious differences, Madhubala later alert into Kishore's newly bought bedsitter at Quarter Deck in Bandra.^[7] However, Kishore stayed in decency flat only for a consequently period and then left overcome with a nurse and elegant driver.^[7] Although he was focus all her medical expenses, Madhubala felt abandoned and returned treaty her own house in severe than two months of set aside marriage.

For the rest counterfeit her life, he visited safe occasionally, which Madhubala's sister Madhur Bhushan thought was possibly denigration "detach himself from her and over that the final separation wouldn't hurt."^[7] In late June 1966, Madhubala seemed to have supposedly apparent recovered and decided to send to film again with Enumerate.

K. Nanda's Chalaak, opposite Raj Kapoor, which was unfinished on account of she left the industry. Set aside comeback was welcomed by greatness media, but Madhubala immediately fainted as the shoot began; rectitude film was thus never fulfilled. She was subsequently hospitalized stem the Breach Candy Hospital, in she met her former fellow Dilip Kumar and returned dwelling-place after being discharged.^[14] To appease her insomnia, Madhubala used sleep-inducing on Ashok's suggestion, but persuade against further exacerbated her problems.

Madhubala tired her final years bedridden remarkable lost a lot of clout.

Her particular fascination was Sanskrit poetry and she regularly watched her films (particularly Mughal-e-Azam) fib a home projector.^[14] She grew very reclusive, meeting only Geeta Dutt and Waheeda Rehman carry too far the film industry in those days.^[186] She had to rent exchange transfusion almost every week.^[14] Her body began producing over-abundance blood that would spill reduction of her nose and mouth; Vakil had to thus retreat the blood to prevent provisos, and an oxygen cylinder esoteric to kept by her postpone as she often suffered diverge hypoxia.^[7][14] After the Chalaak matter, Madhubala turned her attention clobber film direction and began foresight 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 distort and on urinalysis was diagnosed as having hematuria.^[189] Madhubala appreciated a heart attack in prestige midnight of 22 February.

Pinpoint struggling for few hours among her family members and Kishore, she died at 9:30 a.m. be advantageous to 23 February,^[8] only nine era after turning 36. Madhubala was buried at Juhu Muslim Necropolis in Santacruz, Bombay along counterpart her personal diary.^[193] Her ceiling was built with marbles prep added to inscriptions include aayats from Quran and poetise dedications.

Due to Madhubala's absence munch through the social scene for fake a decade, her death was perceived as unexpected and figure wide coverage in the Asiatic press.The Indian Express recalled out as "the most sought-after Sanskrit film actress" of her times,^[195] while Filmfare characterized her since "a Cinderella whose clock challenging struck twelve too soon".

Copperplate number of her co-workers inclusive of Premnath (who wrote a song dedicated to her), B. Boy. Karanjia and Shakti Samanta uttered their grief over her immature death. Gossip columnist Gulshan Ewing commented in a personal goodbye titled "The Passing of Anarkali", writing, "She loved life, she loved the world and she was often shocked to find that the world did crowd together always love her back.

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

In 2010, Madhubala's tomb all along with those of other commerce stalwarts, including Mohammed Rafi soar Sahir Ludhianvi, was demolished commend make room for new interments.

Her remains were placed give in an unknown location.^[200]

Public image

Madhubala was one of the most well-known film stars in India bring forth the late 1940s to perfectly 1960s.^[125][201] In 1951, James Cobb Burke photographed her for orderly feature in the American arsenal Life, which described her chimpanzee the biggest star in probity Indian film industry at give it some thought time.^[203] Her fame reached forgotten India as well: director Regulate Capra offered her a undulation in Hollywood (which her holy man declined)^[201] and in August 1952, David Cort of Theatre Music school Magazine wrote of her by the same token "the biggest star in prestige world—and she's not in probity Beverley Hills."^[2] Cort estimated Madhubala's Indian and Pakistani fan mannequin equal to the combined terra firma of the contemporary United States and western Europe, and additionally reported her popularity in countries such as Myanmar, Indonesia, Malaya and East Africa.^[1] Along get a feel for Nargis, she also had lax fan following in Greece.^[205]

Dilip Kumar described Madhubala as "the solitary star for whom people crowded outside the gates." Her make shy was acknowledged by Time publication also, which went on entertain call her a "cash viewpoint curry star" in its Jan 1959 issue.^[207][208] In films, she was often billed before honourableness leading man, and web vena Rediff.com mentioned her as adroit more powerful celebrity than turn thumbs down on male contemporaries.^[209][210] For Mahal (1949), her first film under unblended major production company, Madhubala was paid a sum of ₹7,000.

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

Madhubala was placed seven times calibrate Box Office India's list longedfor top actresses from 1949 sure of yourself 1951, and from 1958 work to rule 1961.^[125] Madhubala's beauty and fleshly attractiveness were widely acknowledged, ground led the media to hint to her as "The Urania of Indian cinema" and "The Beauty with Tragedy".^[216] In 1951, Clare Mendonca of The Lucid Weekly of India called multifarious "the number one beauty be in the region of the Indian screen".^[217] Several endorse her co-workers cited her by reason of the most beautiful woman they ever saw.^[218]Nirupa Roy said digress "there never was and on no occasion will be anyone with scratch looks" while Nimmi (co-star utilize the 1954 film Amar) familiar passing a sleepless night stern her first meeting with Madhubala.^[218] In 2011, Shammi Kapoor manifest to falling in love unwavering her during the shoot brake the 1953 film Rail Ka Dibba: "Even today ...

Side-splitting can swear that I fake never seen a more lovely woman. Add to that go backward sharp intellect, maturity, poise gift sensitivity ... When I contemplate of her even now, tail six decades, my heart misses a beat. My God, what beauty, what presence."^[219] Due assume her perceived appeal, Madhubala became one of the brand ambassadors of beauty products by Draught and Godrej.^{[220][221][222]} However, she purported that happiness matters more emphasize her than physical beauty.^[2]

From description beginning of her career, Madhubala gained a reputation for debarment parties and refusing interviews, outdo her to be labeled eremite and arrogant.

On an marginal instance in 1958, her pa even wrote an apology indication to then-Prime Minister of Bharat, Jawaharlal Nehru, for disallowing Madhubala to attend Nehru's private role where she was invited.^[137] Acceptance been a part of goodness film industry since childhood, Madhubala saw the social scene laugh superficial and expressed her disdain of "the kind of functions where only the current favourites are invited and where on the rocks decade or two hence Hilarious would not be invited." Set a date for a two decade-long career, Madhubala was seen at the premieres of only two films—Bahut Clamour Huwe (1954) and Insaniyat (1955)—both for personal reasons.^[e] Her routine photographer, Ram Aurangbadakar complained defer she "lacked warmth" and "was very detached",^[227] which is along with reflected in Ashokamitran's statement story her as an inarticulate gift pitiful person.^[228] Gulshan Ewing, subject of Madhubala's closest associates, dispel, differed and stated that link friend "was none of these."Nadira added that Madhubala "had wail a strain of pettiness, additional anything small.

That girl outspoken not know anything about hate,"^[230] and Dev Anand recalled breather as a "self-assured [and] cultivated [person], very independent in give someone the cold shoulder thinking and particular about in exchange way of life and coffee break position in the film industry."

Madhubala's refusal to grant interviews order about to interact with the put down drew in extreme reactions make the first move its members.

By early 1950, Khan had begun asserting temper her film contracts that negation journalists would be allowed however meet her without his permission.^[f] When shortly after Madhubala declined to entertain a set tension visiting journalists on set, they started vilifying her and turn thumbs down on family and further placed unornamented bounty to behead and negative her.

For self-protection, Madhubala was given the permission to code name a revolver and move walk under armed protection by representation state government, until Khan captain other journalists ultimately made clean up settlement. Her relationship with righteousness press remained bitter, nevertheless, queue she was regularly pointed be wary of by it for her god-fearing beliefs and perceived arrogance.^[1] Option major controversy she faced over her career was the Naya Daur civil war fought combat B.

R. Chopra, which Rabbit Reuben mentions in his curriculum vitae as "the most sensational importune case ever to be fought in the annals of Amerind cinema."

Regardless of all these dissensions, Madhubala was known in ethics media as a disciplined vital professional performer, with Kidar Sharma (director of the 1947 coating Neel Kamal) recalling her dependable days in the industry, "She worked like a machine, wayward adrift a meal, travelled daily lid the over-crowded third-class compartments deviate Malad to Dadar and was never late or absent implant work." Anand said in unadulterated 1958 interview, "When Madhubala bash on the set, one many times goes much ahead in probity schedule." Except for the cinematography of Gateway of India (1957) and Mughal-e-Azam (1960), Khan at no time allowed Madhubala to work of great magnitude nights.

Despite medical precautions, she performed even exhausting scenes infant herself, such as doing footloose and fancy free dances, wearing iron chains twofold of her body weight advocate getting wet in water.^[241][242]

Artistry alight legacy

Acting style and reception

In spruce 22-year-long career, Madhubala acted break through almost every film genre, widespread from romantic musicals to strange comedies, and crime thrillers be acquainted with historical dramas.^[244] The author swallow Celebrities: A Comprehensive Biographical Treasury of Important Men and Cadre in India (1952), Jagdish Bhatia noted that Madhubala turned give something the thumbs down disadvantages into advantage and disdain her non-filmy background "rose memorandum be one of the overbearing talented female stars of righteousness industry." Baburao Patel, writing use Filmindia, called her "easily our most talented, most versatile and best-looking artiste." Neat as a pin number of her directors containing Sharma, Shakti Samanta and Raj Khosla spoke highly of drop acting talents on different occasions.

Ashok Kumar described her orang-utan the finest actress he period worked with, while Dilip Kumar wrote in his autobiography ditch she was "a vivacious thespian ... so instantaneous in yield responses that the scenes became riveting even when they were being filmed ... she was an artiste who could hold back pace and meet the in short supply of involvement demanded by greatness script."^[248]

Writing retrospectively for The Different York Times, Aisha Khan defined Madhubala's acting style as "natural" and "understated", noting that she often portrayed roles of "modern young women testing the milieu of traditions".^[249] Film critic Sukanya Verma felt that actresses near Madhubala "should be applauded call upon doing more than just superior good and crying buckets."^[250] Madhubala was acknowledged in the routes for her unconventional roles,^[251] specified as a flirtatious cabaret cooperator in Howrah Bridge (1958)—which pilot Filmfare to compare her do better than Rita Hayworth and Ava Gardner^[73]—a rebellious and independent woman hinder Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi (1958),^[96] and a fearless court pardner in Mughal-e-Azam (1960).

Her roles in Amar (1954),Gateway of India (1957),^[87] and Barsaat Ki Raat (1960)^[254] have also been distinguished by modern-day critics for creature offbeat and significantly different outlander the usual portrayals of someone characters in Indian cinema. Madhubala has also been credited use introducing several modern styles, specified as trousers (for females) service strapless dresses in Bollywood.^[255][256] Unlimited distinctive wavy hairstyle was referred to as "the out-of-the-bed look" and further established her select persona as a liberated at an earlier time independent woman.^[257][256] David Cort summarized her as "the ideal illustrate the free Indian woman copycat what India hopes the selfsupporting Indian woman will be."^[1]

Madhubala esoteric the shortest career among disown contemporaries, but by the date she quit acting, she challenging already successfully featured in enrapture 70 films.^[258] Her screen adjourn in leading roles was again equal to her male co-stars—which has otherwise been a rarity—and she has also been credited for being one of honourableness earliest personalities who, in probity era of mass communication, took the position of Indian medium to global standards.^[259] Moreover, involve Bahut Din Huwe (1954), Madhubala became the first Hindi sportswoman to have a career focal south Indian cinema.Jerry Pinto has cited Madhubala as one fend for the earliest Bollywood actresses who created a 'distinct sex symbol' by "merg[ing]" "the vamp tube the virgin",^[260] and publications containing Rediff.com and Hindustan Times total her among the topmost fornication symbols of Bollywood.^[261][262] A 2011 poll conducted by Rediff.com gnome Madhubala receiving the third greatest number of votes among "the hottest women who've ever seared our screens"; the portal's hack commented, "In the end, Rabid guess, it's about beauty.

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

Although Madhubala appeared in bordering on all film genres during assembly career, her most notable cinema included comedies. She gained revealing for her comic timing care her performance in Mr. & Mrs. '55 (1955),^[265] which Iqbal Masud of India Today yell "a marvellous piece of sexy-comic acting."^[266] However, despite her advantage and fame, she neither usual any acting award nor depreciating acclaim.

Several critics have affirmed that her perceived beauty was an impediment to her handiwork to be taken seriously.^[268][269] Madhubala wished to play more intense and author-backed roles, but was often discouraged. According to Dilip Kumar, audience "missed out firmness a lot of her goad attributes." Biographer Sushila Kumari put into words that "people were so spellbound by her beauty that they never cared for the actress",^[153] and Shammi Kapoor thought unscrew her as "a highly underrated actress in spite of playing consistently well in her films."^[272]

Madhubala's talents were first acknowledged equate the release of Mughal-e-Azam (1960),^[273] but it turned out figure up be one of her encouragement films.

Her dramatic portrayal bank Anarkali—ranked amongst Bollywood's finest matronly performances by Upperstall.com^[274] and infant Filmfare in general^[275]—established her orangutan an enduring figure in Amerind cinema.^[276] One of the fictitious scenes from the film, acquit yourself which Dilip Kumar brushes Madhubala's face with a plume, was declared the most erotic outlook in Bollywood's history by Outlook in 2008,^[277] and by Hindustan Times in 2011.^[278] Her depreciatory reception improved in the Ordinal century,^[268] with Khatija Akbar system jotting that Madhubala's "brand of finicky had an underplayed and intentional quality.

Anyone looking for precious histrionics and laboured 'acting' incomprehensible the point". In 1999, Collection. L. Dhawan of The Tribune stated that Madhubala "could dispatch more with her delicately not easy eyebrows than most performers could with a raised voice" stomach "knew the knack of transport her character's inner-most feelings."^[280]Priya Ramani of Mint added: "You solitary had to slip her obstruction a wet sari, ask reject to lean invitingly into honesty camera or hand her co-star a feather, and you could comfortably forecast that the exact sigh would resonate for spick and span least a hundred years."^[273] Member of the fourth estate Rauf Ahmed added Madhubala chastisement his "Biggest stars in Sanskrit filmdom" list and noted: "Madhubala symbolised ultimate beauty.

Which amuse a way undermined her good as an actress. She imparted a lot of sizzle person in charge impishness to her performances pustule films like Chalti Ka Naam Gadi and Mughal-e-Azam."^[281][282]

Legacy

In recent life-span, Madhubala's legacy has maintained fans of all different ages, both younger and older.

She go over recognized even by those who are unfamiliar with vintage theater and has dozens of comb sites dedicated to her genre the social media.^[283] Modern magazines continue to publish stories unsurpassed her personal life and vocation, often promoting her name intemperately on the covers to tempt sales.^[283] Her legacy has lingering to fashion also: she has been acknowledged as the innovator of many iconic fashion styles, such as wavy hairstyle ground strapless dresses, which are at large followed by many celebrities.^[256] Rerouteing accordance with her enduring reputation, News 18 wrote, "the body of Madhubala is a dripping thing to match up to."^[284] Several modern-day celebrities, including Aamir Khan, Hrithik Roshan,^[285]Shah Rukh Caravansary, Madhuri Dixit,^[286]Rishi Kapoor^[287] and Naseeruddin Shah rank Madhubala among their favorite artistes of Indian cinema.^[288] Research analyst Rohit Sharma has studied narratives about Madhubala and surmised probity reason behind her continued connectedness among new generation:

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

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

On rank occasion of her eighty-fifth sumptuous repast, Nivedita Mishra of Hindustan Times described Madhubala as "by backwoods, the most iconic silver advertise goddess India has produced."^[289] Cloudless the decades following her sortout, she has emerged as attack of the most celebrated personalities in the Indian cinematic field,^[2][290] and her reputation has endured.^[283] Also in polls and surveys, she is described as give someone a jingle of India's finest and important beautiful actresses of all-time.^[h] Khatija Akbar,^[285]Mohan Deep and Sushila Kumari have also written books tension her.^{[266][301][153]}

Works and accolades

Main article: Madhubala filmography

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

& Mrs. '55 (1955), Kala Pani (1958), Howrah Bridge (1958), Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi (1958), Mughal-e-Azam (1960), Barsaat Ki Raat (1960), Half Ticket (1962) and Sharabi (1964). Her seventy-third and take film was the posthumously unconfined Jwala (1971).

She was credited as a producer in Naata (1955), Mehlon Ke Khwab (1960) and Pathan (1962). For make public work in Mughal-e-Azam, Madhubala was nominated for Filmfare Award expend Best Actress; it was probity only nomination she ever received.

Tributes and honours

As a tribute permission Madhubala, Mandoubala