Mumtaz (Indian actress)

Mumtaz was born to Abdol Salim Askari (a dry fruits vendor) and Shadi Habib Agha who hailed from Mashhad, Iran. Her father hailed from a family of imams.^[2] Her parents got divorced just one year after she was born.^[3][4][5] Her elder sister is actor Mallika who was married to wrestler and Indian actor Randhawa – younger brother of wrestler and actor Dara Singh.^[6]

Mumtaz appeared as a child actress in Sone Ki Chidiya (1958). As a teenager she acted as an extra in Vallah Kya Baat Hai, Stree and Sehra in the early 1960s. As an adult, her first role in A-grade films was that of the hero's sister in O. P. Ralhan's Gehra Daag. She got small roles in successful films such as Mujhe Jeene Do. Later, she got the role of the main lead heroine in 16 action films, including Faulad, Veer Bhimsen, Tarzan Comes to Delhi, Sikandar-E-Azam, Rustom-E-Hind, Raaka, and Daku Mangal Singh, with freestyle wrestler Dara Singh, and was labelled as a stunt-film heroine. In the films that Dara Singh and Mumtaz did together, Dara's remuneration was INR 450,000 per film, and Mumtaz's salary was INR 250,000 per film.^[7]

She received her only nominations for the Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress for her performances in Ram Aur Shyam (1967) and Aadmi Aur Insaan (1969). It took Raj Khosla's blockbuster family drama Do Raaste (1969), starring Rajesh Khanna, to finally make Mumtaz a full-fledged star. Mumtaz had a decorative heroine's role and director Khosla had filmed four songs with her.^[8] The film made her popular, and she acknowledged that even though she had a small role, it was one of her most favourite films. Do Raaste and Bandhan, both with Rajesh Khanna, became the top grossers of the year 1969, earning around Rs. 65 million and Rs. 28 million respectively.^[9] This was followed by a heroine-oriented role in Khilona in 1970, for which she won her first and only Filmfare Award for Best Actress and was "very happy that the audience accepted her in an emotional role". Her pairing with Rajesh Khanna was the most successful, with a total of 10 films.^[10] Mumtaz frequently acted with Feroz Khan and gave hits such as Mela (1971), Apradh (1972) and Nagin (1976). She acted opposite Dharmendra in films such as Loafer and Jheel Ke Us Paar (1973). Shashi Kapoor, who had earlier refused Sachaa Jhutha opposite her because she was a "stunt-film heroine" acted with her in Chor Machaye Shor (1973). Mumtaz quit films after the drama Aaina (1977) to concentrate on her family. She made a comeback 13 years later with Aandhiyan (1990) but retired for good when the movie flopped.

Mumtaz was initially engaged to actor Shammi Kapoor but she broke it off as the Kapoors wanted her to give up her career after marriage.^[11][12] She married Ugandan businessman Mayur Madhvani, of Gujarati descent, in 1974.^[13] They have two daughters, of whom Natasha married Feroz Khan's son Fardeen Khan in 2006.^[14][15]

Though born into a Muslim family, Mumtaz has stated that she holds faith in Hindu deities, specifically Shiva and Ganesha. She has also expressed her disapproval of polygamy in Islam, citing her happiness with her monogamous marriage to Madhvani, who is a Hindu.^[16][17]

In May 2022, Mumtaz was admitted to Mumbai's Breach Candy Hospital for a stomach infection. She was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 54. She reportedly underwent six chemotherapies and 35 radiation sessions before becoming cancer-free.^[18]

Mumtaz is regarded as one of the most beautiful and greatest actress of Hindi cinema.^[19][20] During her acting career, Mumtaz carved a niche and became known for her vivaciousness and spontaneity escaping the tag of a stunt film heroine, which initially had stalled her career in the first place. In 2022, she was placed in Outlook India's "75 Best Bollywood Actresses" list.^[21] One of the highest paid actress from the late 1960s to mid 1970s, Mumtaz appeared in Box Office India's "Top Actresses" list six times from 1969 to 1974 and topped twice, (1970-1971).^[22] Mumtaz was known as a sex symbol during the 1960s and 1970s.^[23] She was placed in Times of India's "50 Beautiful Faces" list.^[24] Mumtaz is considered among the hottest Bollywood actresses of all time.^[25] Dewy glow and draped sari style were some of the style statements of Mumtaz that are still relevant in the fashion world.^[26][27]