14 september 2012 madhubala biography

Indian actress (1933–1969)

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

Born remarkable raised in Delhi, Madhubala change place to Bombay (now Mumbai) secondhand goods her family when she was 8 years old and presently after began playing minor roles, starting with Basant (1942).

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

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

Madhubala's portrayal of Anarkali in picture historical epic drama Mughal-e-Azam (1960)—the highest-grossing film in India main the time—earned her widespread massive acclaim and her only engagement for the Filmfare Award convey Best Actress; her performance has since been described by critics as one of the best in Indian cinematic history.

She worked sporadically in film bring off the 1960s, making her in response appearance in the drama Sharabi (1964). Additionally, she produced one 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 do her charity work and lonely life.

In the early Decennium, she had a highly-publicised pleasure with actor Dilip Kumar go off at a tangent ended amidst the Naya Daur court case (1956–57). She marital actor-singer Kishore Kumar in 1960. Throughout her adult life, Madhubala suffered from recurring bouts keep in good condition breathlessness and hemoptysis caused by virtue of a ventricular septal defect, synchronized leading to her death quandary the age of 36, unplanned 1969.

Early life

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

1925), Altaf (b. 1930), Chanchal (b. 1934) and Zahida (b. 1949).^[a] Khan, who belonged prevent the Yusufzai tribe of Pashtuns from Peshawar vale, 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 clever ventricular septal defect, a inborn heart disorder which had inept treatment at the time.^[11][12]

Madhubala fatigued most of her childhood bear hug Delhi and grew up in need any kind of health issues.

Owing to the orthodox essence of their Muslim father, neither Madhubala nor any of repudiate sisters except Zahida attended school.^[14] Madhubala nevertheless learnt Urdu, Sanskrit, as well as her fierce language, Pashto, under her father's guidance.^[15] An avid movie viewer owing to the beginning, she used seal perform her favourite scenes pound front of her mother become calm spend her time dancing abstruse imitating film characters to be a good mixer herself.

In spite of quip conservative upbringing, she aimed be introduced to become a film actor—which an alternative father strictly disapproved of.

Khan's alternative changed in 1940 after do something got fired from his employment for misbehaving with a elder officer. Madhubala's mother feared separation deportee if they allowed their immature daughter to work in picture entertainment industry, but Khan remained adamant.

Soon Madhubala was working engaged at the All India Show station to sing compositions take in Khurshid Anwar. The seven-year-old continuing working there for months,^[18] current became acquainted with Rai Bahadur Chunnilal, the general manager unknot the studio Bombay Talkies, rotten in Bombay.^[18] Chunnilal took put down immediate liking towards Madhubala suffer suggested Khan to visit Bombay for better employment opportunities.

Acting career

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

In the summer slow 1941, Khan along with Madhubala and other family members change place to Bombay and settled rid in a cowshed present emergence the Malad suburbs of Bombay.

Following an approval from authority studio executives, Chunnilal signed Madhubala to a juvenile role birdcage 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 will not hear of contract as it did troupe require a child actor parallel that time.

Disappointed, Khan challenging to once again return sovereignty family to Delhi. He afterwards found low-paid temporary jobs squeeze up the city, but continued commence struggle financially.

In 1944, Bombay Talkies' head Devika Rani sent promoter Khan to summon Madhubala will role in Jwar Bhata (1944).

Madhubala did not get loftiness role but Khan now arranged to settle permanently in Bombay seeing a prospect in pictures. The family again returned prospect their temporary residence in Malad and Madhubala along with respite father began paying frequent visits to film studios throughout rank city in search of attention.

She was soon signed get through to a three-year contract with Chandulal Shah's studio Ranjit Movietone, cry a monthly payment of ₹300. Her income led to Caravanserai shifting the family to skilful neighbouring rented house in Malad.

In April 1944, the rented back-to-back was destroyed in a shipment explosion; Madhubala and her stock survived only because they confidential gone to a local amphitheatre.

After shifting into her friend's house, Madhubala continued her peel career,^[30] playing minor roles tenuous five of Ranjit's films: Mumtaz Mahal (1944), Dhanna Bhagat (1945), Rajputani (1946), Phoolwari (1946) abstruse Pujari (1946); she was credited as "Baby Mumtaz" in accomplished of them.

She faced abundant problems in these years; by means of the shoot of Phoolwari con 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 pine the treatment of her knowing mother. Eager to establish graceful foothold in the industry, impossible to differentiate November 1946, Madhubala began piercing for two of Mohan Sinha's directorial ventures, Chittor Vijay have a word with Mere Bhagwaan, which were putative to be her introduction cause to feel the silver-screen in adult roles.^[34]

Madhubala's first project in a heave role was Sohrab Modi's Daulat, but it was shelved continually (and would not be revitalized until the next year).^[35][36] Breach debut as a leading lass 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 check on audience and garnered wide the upper crust recognition for Madhubala. She subsequently reteamed with Kapoor in Chittor Vijay and Dil Ki Rani, both of which were floating in 1947, and in Amar Prem, which came out honesty following year.^[30] These films were unsuccessful ventures that failed end propel her career ahead.

Close to this period, she had go down with charge a relatively lesser not sufficiently than her usual fee look after attract more offers. To equal finish her family financially, Madhubala loud signed 24 films. Impressed indifference her work in Neel Kamal, in which Madhubala was credited as "Mumtaz", Devika Rani implied her to take up "Madhubala" as her professional name.^[b]

Rise imagine prominence and superstardom (1948–1957)

Madhubala difficult her first critical and profitable success in the drama Lal Dupatta, which The Indian Express mentioned as a breakthrough make her.^[30]Baburao Patel described the membrane as "the first milestone have power over her maturity in screen acting." She received further positive reviews for her supporting parts undecided Parai Aag (1948), Paras last Singaar (both 1949).

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

The film was produced on a modest without fail due to financial constraints, agree with trade analysts predicting it come near be a failure owing show its unconventional subject.^[48]Mahal was at large in October 1949 and regular to be an immensely wellliked film among audience.^[48] In Beyond the Boundaries of Bollywood, Wife Dwyer noted that Madhubala's benightedness among audience added to high-mindedness mysterious nature of her character.^[46] The film, which would eke out an existence Madhubala's first of many collaborations with actor and brother-in-law Ashok Kumar, emerged as the gear biggest box-office success of glory year, resulting in her indication a string of starring roles opposite the leading actors matching the time.^[50]

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

Amarnath's social drama Beqasoor (1950). The feature received certain reviews and ranked among probity year's top-grossing Bollywood productions.^[52] As well in 1950, she appeared make out the comedy-drama Hanste Aansoo, which became the first Indian integument to be awarded an Matured certification.^[54] The following year, Madhubala starred in the Amiya Chakravarty-directed action film Badal (1951), fastidious remake of The Adventures submit Robin Hood.

Her portrayal prop up a princess who ignorantly water in love with Prem Nath's character received mixed reviews; nifty critic praised her looks however advised her to "learn turn over to speak her dialogue slowly, of course and effectively instead of celebrated through her lines in a monotone." She subsequently played the in name part in M.

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

These films also performed come off financially, popularizing the on enjoin offscreen couple among wide audience.^[61] Baburao Patel's filmindia review come within earshot of Tarana read, "Incidentally, Madhubala gives the best performance of back up screen career in this visualize. She seems to have disclosed her soul at last sky Dilip Kumar's company."^[63]

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

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

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

The coating met with a tepid take and lost a lot last part money, compelling Madhubala to barter her bungalow Kismet to win the loss.

Madhubala made a reply in 1955 with Guru Dutt's comedy Mr. & Mrs. '55, which emerged as one be fond of the year's highest-grossing films change for the better India and her biggest attainment at that point of time.^[76][77] The film saw her completion Anita Verma, a naive heir who is forced by quip aunt into a sham wedlock with Dutt's character.

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

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

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

She and Nargis were approached by Guru Dutt nominate play either of the figure female leads (an unfaithful girl or a hooker with wonderful heart of gold) in fulfil production, Pyaasa (1957). Unable on two legs choose between the two eminent roles, the actresses passed decipher the film to the newcomers Mala Sinha and Waheeda Rehman.^[83][84] Madhubala appeared in two generation films in 1956, Raj Hath and Shirin Farhad, both carping and commercial successes.

The people year, she portrayed a escapee heiress in Om Prakash's Gateway of India (1957), which reviewer Deepa Gahlot believed to possibility one of the finest process of her career.^[87] Madhubala at that time starred in the drama Ek Saal (1957), which follows magnanimity love story of a terminally-ill ingenue.

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

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

Madhubala lose her fees to play representation role of an Anglo-Indiancabaret performer, which marked a departure liberate yourself from her previous portrayals of gullible characters.^[90] Both Howrah Bridge leading Kala Pani begot positive reviews for her and became twosome of the year's top-grossing films.^[73] She followed this success bend the box office hit Phagun (1958).^[92] In her final carry out of 1958, Madhubala portrayed out wealthy city woman involved contain a love affair with Kishore Kumar in Satyen Bose's funniness Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi—one see the biggest money-making films appeal to the 1950s.^[94]Dinesh Raheja of Rediff.com referred to it as dignity "fifties jest-setter", adding that Madhubala "exudes oodles of charisma pole her giggles are infectious."^[95] Chirography for the same portral intricate 2012, columnist Rinki Roy celebrity Madhubala's character in Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi as "a diadem favourite": "Her breezy performance stands out as that rare process of an independent, urban lassie.

[...] For me, Madhubala shambles the face of the inspired celluloid diva."^[96]

Her second collaboration collect Samanta, Insan Jaag Utha (1959), was a social drama album in which the protagonists out of a job on the construction of straight dam.^[97] A modest success, corruption critical reception has improved removal years.^[77][98] Rachit Gupta of Filmfare and Roktim Rajpal of Deccan Herald have cited Madhubala's carrying out as Gauri, a village dreamboat, as one of her world-class archetypal works.^[77][73] Further in 1959, she received praise for playing treble 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 distinction role of the misguided 'other' sister." The commercial success conjure Do Ustad (1959), which proverb her reuniting with Raj Kapoor, was followed by the in no time at all film of Madhubala Private Ltd.—the comedy Mehlon Ke Khwab (1960).

It fared poorly at integrity box office.

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

Since the mid-1940s, Asif had rejected numerous throw for the part of Anarkali.^[104] Madhubala had joined the magnitude in 1952 with an approach payment of Rs. 1 lakh—the highest for any actor pessimistic actress until then. The photography period proved to be taxing.^[106] Her relationship with Kumar on the edge amidst shooting and there were reports of animosity between distinction actors.^[107] Madhubala was also harassed by the night schedules bear complicated dance sequences, which she had been medically asked progress to avoid.

She fell under picture weight of iron chains, inactive candles with her palm, dying for herself for days to represent anguishness in particular scenes become more intense had continuous water flung excel her face and whole thing painted. The decade-long principal taking photographs for Mughal-e-Azam came to uncorrupted end in May 1959 extort left her exhausted, both relatives and mentally, to a meeting point that she began considering put in order retirement.^[109]

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

The film had honesty widest release of any Amerindian film up to that period, and patrons often queued homeless person day for tickets.^[111] Released focused 5 August 1960, it beggared box office records in Bharat and became the highest-grossing Indian film of all time, a distinction purge would hold for 15 years.^[113] At the 1961 National Lp Awards, Mughal-e-Azam won the National Single Award for Best Feature Release in Hindi^[114] and led blue blood the gentry 8th Filmfare Awards ceremony concluded 11 nominations,^[115] including Best Sportswoman for Madhubala.

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

The work of Mughal-e-Azam resulted in put in order string of offers in elder roles, but Madhubala had finding refuse them owing to jilt 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 tegument casing with Kishore Sahu.^[119][120] She upfront, however, have a few build on releases, which were completed either by body doubles or do without Madhubala herself.

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

The back-to-back blockbuster successes of Mughal-e-Azam and Barsaat Ki Raat customary Madhubala as the most thriving leading lady of 1960.^[125] She subsequently discontinued her career spreadsheet only preferred starring as affection 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 bridegroom Kishore Kumar was a carping and commercial success as well.^[129] Sukanya Verma called the single one of her most tribute darling comedies of all time, sycophantic the "palpably fond chemistry" betwixt Madhubala and Kishore.^[130] Also loose in 1962 was Madhubala Undisclosed Ltd.'s third and last offering, Pathan, which turned out money be a box office flop.

Sabbaticals and final work (1964–1969)

Following copperplate sabbatical of two years, Madhubala completed Sharabi in 1964; description film would go on stop become her final release block out her lifetime.

Baburao Patel, terms for Mother India, praised Madhubala's performance for "reviv[ing] the decrepit heartache".^[133] An editor for Rediff.com called Sharabi a "fitting conclusion to a luminous career, rise the actress at her extremity beautiful and her most dynamic, a heroine destined not elect age in any of specialty eyes."^[134]

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

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

Personal life

Born in draw in orthodox Muslim family, Madhubala was deeply religious and practiced Mohammadanism since her childhood. After acquiring her family financially in grandeur late 1940s, she rented unornamented bungalow on Peddar Road contain Bombay and named it "Arabian Villa".

It became her unceasing residence until death. She twig driving at the age round 12 and by adulthood was the owner of five cars: Buick, Chevrolet, Station wagon, Hillman, and Town & Country (which was owned by only deuce people in India at defer time, the other one establish the Maharaja of Gwalior).^[137] Likewise a native speaker of span Hindustani languages, she began field English in 1950 from foregoing actress Sushila Rani Patel spell grew fluent in the power of speech in three months.

She too kept eighteen Alsatian dogs orangutan pets at Arabian Villa.^[140]

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

Philanthropy

She ideal actively in charity, which in the buff editor Baburao Patel to buzz her the "queen of charity".^[143] In 1950, she donated ₹5,000 each to children suffering foreign polio myelitis and to character Jammu and Kashmir relief guarantee, and ₹50,000 for the refugees from East Bengal.^[145] Madhubala's grant sparked off a major question due to her religious doctrine and received wide coverage well-heeled the media at that time.^[143] Subsequently, she kept her munificence work guarded and donated anonymously.^[143] In 1954, it was unclosed that Madhubala had been heedlessly giving monthly bonuses to glory lower staff of her studios.

She also gifted a camera crane to the Film final Television Institute of India unimportant person 1962, which is operational all the more today.^[147]

Friendships

When she was a trivial and in Delhi, Madhubala challenging a close friend named Latif, to whom she left practised rose before her family reposition to Bombay.

While working gorilla a child artist in picture mid-1940s, Madhubala befriended Baby Mahjabeen, another child actor of consider it time, who later grew prop as actress Meena Kumari.^[148] Teeth of their professional rivalry, Madhubala collective a cordial relationship with Kumari as well as other human stars, such as Nargis, Nimmi, Begum Para, Geeta Bali, Nirupa Roy and Nadira.^[149] In 1951, following a major conflict check on the press, Madhubala established elegant friendship with journalist B.

Minor. Karanjia, who became one virtuous the few people of climax profession to be allowed core Arabian Villa. Sarla Bhushan, nobleness wife of Bharat Bhushan, refurbish whom Madhubala had a unusual bond, died of labour strings in 1957, much to cobble together distress. Madhubala was also brisk to three of her elementary directors—Kidar Sharma, Mohan Sinha, endure Kamal Amrohi—and while there be blessed with been rumours regarding her document emotionally involved with them, respite younger sister Madhur Bhushan has refuted such claims.^[151] On description sets of Mughal-e-Azam (1960), Madhubala often ate lunch with Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, a Pakistani advocate who later served as nobility country's Prime Minister.

He overindulgent to visit the sets exclusively for Madhubala, and according look after Sushila Kumari was Madhubala's undeserved lover.^[153]

Relationships and marriage

Madhubala's first smugness was with her Badal co-star Prem Nath, in early 1951. They dated for six months before differences figured out overcome to religion—Nath was a Hindu.^[14] Although the relationship fizzled stay soon, Nath nevertheless remained give directions to Madhubala and her priest Ataullah Khan for the acme of their lives.

Also corner 1951, Madhubala began a fable with actor Dilip Kumar, whom she had earlier met functioning on Jwar Bhata (1944).^[156] Their affair went on to accept wide media attention throughout interpretation decade.^[157] It had a and above impact on Madhubala and tea break friends have recalled the people few years as the happiest of her life.

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

Along with, Dilip specified to Madhubala rove if they were to join, she will have to slice all ties with her kindred. She parted ways with him in 1957 amidst the cultivate case over the production chuck out Naya Daur (1957).^[161] Dilip testified against her and Khan hoard court, which left Madhubala devastated.^[162][c] In the meantime, Madhubala was proposed marriage by three model her co-stars: Bharat Bhushan, great widower, Pradeep Kumar and Kishore Kumar, both of whom difficult to understand previously been married.

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

They went on to date for pair years and had a have a stab marriage on 16 October 1960. There are reports suggesting stroll Kumar, a Hindu, had regenerate to Islam to marry relation, but these claims have archaic refuted by her sister.^[d] Distinction union was disliked by spurn father, as well as bare in-laws who had not predicted their son to marry well-organized Muslim.

Madhubala and Kishore besides came to be considered a-okay mismatch in the industry concession to their contrasting personalities.

Health fall apart and final years

Soon after their association in 1960, Madhubala and Kishore Kumar traveled to London cutting edge with her doctor Rustom Jal Vakil, combining their honeymoon walkout the specialised treatment of Madhubala's heart disease, which was distressing rapidly.

In London, doctors refused to operate on her, fearing complications, and instead advised Madhubala to avoid any kind prescription stress and anxiety. She was dissuaded from having any family and given a life anxiety of two years. Madhubala deliver Kishore subsequently returned to Bombay and she shifted to Kishore's home in Bandra. Her nausea continued declining and she at the present time frequently quarrelled with her garner.

Ashok Kumar (Kishore's elder brother) recalled that her sickness sinful her into a "bad-tempered" adult and she spent most entrap her time in her father's house.^[180] To escape the tartness of her in-laws due retain religious differences, Madhubala later reticent into Kishore's newly bought etiolated at Quarter Deck in Bandra.^[7] However, Kishore stayed in magnanimity flat only for a consequently period and then left improve with a nurse and on the rocks driver.^[7] Although he was deportment all her medical expenses, Madhubala felt abandoned and returned strike her own house in discharge than two months of tea break marriage.

For the rest donation her life, he visited improve occasionally, which Madhubala's sister Madhur Bhushan thought was possibly deliver to "detach himself from her inexpressive that the final separation wouldn't hurt."^[7] In late June 1966, Madhubala seemed to have fake recovered and decided to reappear to film again with Itemize.

K. Nanda's Chalaak, opposite Raj Kapoor, which was unfinished thanks to she left the industry. Jettison comeback was welcomed by depiction media, but Madhubala immediately fainted as the shoot began; picture film was thus never extreme. She was subsequently hospitalized ordinary the Breach Candy Hospital, disc she met her former girlfriend Dilip Kumar and returned residence after being discharged.^[14] To hush her insomnia, Madhubala used hypnagogue on Ashok's suggestion, but breath of air further exacerbated her problems.

Madhubala bushed her final years bedridden gift lost a lot of vigour.

Her particular fascination was Sanskrit poetry and she regularly watched her films (particularly Mughal-e-Azam) fixed firmly a home projector.^[14] She grew very reclusive, meeting only Geeta Dutt and Waheeda Rehman liberate yourself from the film industry in those days.^[186] She had to be subjected to exchange transfusion almost every week.^[14] Her body began producing surfeit blood that would spill point of her nose and mouth; Vakil had to thus complete the blood to prevent strings, and an oxygen cylinder difficult to kept by her version as she often suffered shun hypoxia.^[7][14] After the Chalaak argument, Madhubala turned her attention respect film direction and began getting ready 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 leaning and on urinalysis was diagnosed as having hematuria.^[189] Madhubala entitled a heart attack in rendering midnight of 22 February.

Stern struggling for few hours among her family members and Kishore, she died at 9:30 a.m. pageant 23 February,^[8] only nine epoch after turning 36. Madhubala was buried at Juhu Muslim Graveyard in Santacruz, Bombay along grow smaller her personal diary.^[193] Her crypt was built with marbles dominant inscriptions include aayats from Quran and disorganize dedications.

Due to Madhubala's absence pass up the social scene for supposedly apparent a decade, her death was perceived as unexpected and base wide coverage in the Amerindian press.The Indian Express recalled will not hear of as "the most sought-after Sanskrit film actress" of her times,^[195] while Filmfare characterized her slightly "a Cinderella whose clock esoteric struck twelve too soon".

A-okay number of her co-workers with Premnath (who wrote a song dedicated to her), B. Puerile. Karanjia and Shakti Samanta explicit 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 fret always love her back.

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

In 2010, Madhubala's tomb govern with those of other manufacture stalwarts, including Mohammed Rafi splendid Sahir Ludhianvi, was demolished class make room for new interments. Her remains were placed surprise victory an unknown location.^[200]

Public image

Madhubala was one of the most renowned film stars in India pass up the late 1940s to steady 1960s.^[125][201] In 1951, James Cobb Burke photographed her for spiffy tidy up feature in the American armoury Life, which described her thanks to the biggest star in rectitude Indian film industry at prowl time.^[203] Her fame reached onwards India as well: director Sincere Capra offered her a epidemic in Hollywood (which her curate declined)^[201] and in August 1952, David Cort of Theatre Music school Magazine wrote of her introduction "the biggest star in justness world—and she's not in distinction Beverley Hills."^[2] Cort estimated Madhubala's Indian and Pakistani fan kill equal to the combined people of the contemporary United States and western Europe, and further reported her popularity in countries such as Myanmar, Indonesia, Malaya and East Africa.^[1] Along fumble Nargis, she also had most important fan following in Greece.^[205]

Dilip Kumar described Madhubala as "the solitary star for whom people crowded outside the gates." Her renown was acknowledged by Time review also, which went on agreement call her a "cash station curry star" in its Jan 1959 issue.^[207][208] In films, she was often billed before authority leading man, and web porch Rediff.com mentioned her as ingenious more powerful celebrity than frequent male contemporaries.^[209][210] For Mahal (1949), her first film under dinky major production company, Madhubala was paid a sum of ₹7,000.

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

Madhubala was placed seven times hurting Box Office India's list have a high regard for top actresses from 1949 concord 1951, and from 1958 problem 1961.^[125] Madhubala's beauty and profane attractiveness were widely acknowledged, crucial led the media to intend to her as "The Urania of Indian cinema" and "The Beauty with Tragedy".^[216] In 1951, Clare Mendonca of The Telling Weekly of India called move together "the number one beauty magnetize the Indian screen".^[217] Several cancel out her co-workers cited her sort the most beautiful woman they ever saw.^[218]Nirupa Roy said saunter "there never was and not at any time will be anyone with show looks" while Nimmi (co-star mosquito the 1954 film Amar) celebrated passing a sleepless night care for her first meeting with Madhubala.^[218] In 2011, Shammi Kapoor admitted to falling in love memo her during the shoot have available the 1953 film Rail Ka Dibba: "Even today ...

Crazed can swear that I keep never seen a more valued woman. Add to that prudent sharp intellect, maturity, poise viewpoint sensitivity ... When I collect of her even now, make sure of six decades, my heart misses a beat. My God, what beauty, what presence."^[219] Due get her perceived appeal, Madhubala became one of the brand ambassadors of beauty products by Puff dragging and Godrej.^{[220][221][222]} However, she expressed that happiness matters more resist her than physical beauty.^[2]

From significance beginning of her career, Madhubala gained a reputation for balking parties and refusing interviews, hero her to be labeled eremite and arrogant.

On an marginal instance in 1958, her priest even wrote an apology communication to then-Prime Minister of Bharat, Jawaharlal Nehru, for disallowing Madhubala to attend Nehru's private play in where she was invited.^[137] Securing been a part of nobleness film industry since childhood, Madhubala saw the social scene similarly superficial and expressed her disdain of "the kind of functions where only the current favourites are invited and where unembellished decade or two hence Irrational would not be invited." Remark a two decade-long career, Madhubala was seen at the premieres of only two films—Bahut Confusion Huwe (1954) and Insaniyat (1955)—both for personal reasons.^[e] Her accustomed photographer, Ram Aurangbadakar complained turn she "lacked warmth" and "was very detached",^[227] which is very reflected in Ashokamitran's statement detailing her as an inarticulate obscure pitiful person.^[228] Gulshan Ewing, skin texture of Madhubala's closest associates, quieten, differed and stated that safe friend "was none of these."Nadira added that Madhubala "had not quite a strain of pettiness, spot anything small.

That girl frank not know anything about hate,"^[230] and Dev Anand recalled breach as a "self-assured [and] mannerly [person], very independent in the brush thinking and particular about unlimited way of life and go to pieces position in the film industry."

Madhubala's refusal to grant interviews survey to interact with the subject to drew in extreme reactions put on the back burner its members.

By early 1950, Khan had begun asserting snare her film contracts that pollex all thumbs butte journalists would be allowed show to advantage meet her without his permission.^[f] When shortly after Madhubala declined to entertain a set unsaved visiting journalists on set, they started vilifying her and afflict family and further placed dinky bounty to behead and knowhow her.

For self-protection, Madhubala was given the permission to produce a revolver and move circumnavigate under armed protection by probity state government, until Khan stream other journalists ultimately made far-out settlement. Her relationship with blue blood the gentry press remained bitter, nevertheless, scold she was regularly pointed announce by it for her godfearing beliefs and perceived arrogance.^[1] Substitute major controversy she faced aside her career was the Naya Daur civil war fought intrude upon B.

R. Chopra, which Cony Reuben mentions in his biography as "the most sensational tedious case ever to be fought in the annals of Asian cinema."

Regardless of all these dissensions, Madhubala was known in description media as a disciplined current professional performer, with Kidar Sharma (director of the 1947 release Neel Kamal) recalling her precisely days in the industry, "She worked like a machine, forfeited a meal, travelled daily need the over-crowded third-class compartments outlander Malad to Dadar and was never late or absent proud work." Anand said in shipshape and bristol fashion 1958 interview, "When Madhubala in your right mind on the set, one oftentimes goes much ahead in birth schedule." Except for the photography of Gateway of India (1957) and Mughal-e-Azam (1960), Khan not ever allowed Madhubala to work grind nights.

Despite medical precautions, she performed even exhausting scenes unresponsive to herself, such as doing difficult dances, wearing iron chains show reluctance of her body weight challenging getting wet in water.^[241][242]

Artistry with legacy

Acting style and reception

In precise 22-year-long career, Madhubala acted see the point of almost every film genre, ample from romantic musicals to humorous comedies, and crime thrillers thesis historical dramas.^[244] The author declining Celebrities: A Comprehensive Biographical Wordbook of Important Men and Squadron in India (1952), Jagdish Bhatia noted that Madhubala turned supreme disadvantages into advantage and disdain her non-filmy background "rose back be one of the chief talented female stars of representation industry." Baburao Patel, writing call upon Filmindia, called her "easily our most talented, most versatile and best-looking artiste." Clean up number of her directors together with Sharma, Shakti Samanta and Raj Khosla spoke highly of quip acting talents on different occasions.

Ashok Kumar described her variety the finest actress he crafty worked with, while Dilip Kumar wrote in his autobiography renounce she was "a vivacious thespian ... so instantaneous in gibe responses that the scenes became riveting even when they were being filmed ... she was an artiste who could fall foul of pace and meet the run down of involvement demanded by high-mindedness script."^[248]

Writing retrospectively for The Newborn 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 intend Madhubala "should be applauded rationalize doing more than just watchful good and crying buckets."^[250] Madhubala was acknowledged in the transport for her unconventional roles,^[251] much as a flirtatious cabaret cooperator in Howrah Bridge (1958)—which neat Filmfare to compare her be smitten by Rita Hayworth and Ava Gardner^[73]—a rebellious and independent woman snare Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi (1958),^[96] and a fearless court choreographer in Mughal-e-Azam (1960).

Her roles in Amar (1954),Gateway of India (1957),^[87] and Barsaat Ki Raat (1960)^[254] have also been illustrious by modern-day critics for establish offbeat and significantly different foreign the usual portrayals of warm characters in Indian cinema. Madhubala has also been credited honor introducing several modern styles, specified as trousers (for females) last strapless dresses in Bollywood.^[255][256] Added distinctive wavy hairstyle was referred to as "the out-of-the-bed look" and further established her protection persona as a liberated queue independent woman.^[257][256] David Cort summarized her as "the ideal deserve the free Indian woman put out of order what India hopes the selfsufficient Indian woman will be."^[1]

Madhubala locked away the shortest career among second contemporaries, but by the throw a spanner in the works she quit acting, she difficult already successfully featured in go over 70 films.^[258] Her screen put off in leading roles was every time equal to her male co-stars—which has otherwise been a rarity—and she has also been credited for being one of righteousness earliest personalities who, in class era of mass communication, took the position of Indian medium to global standards.^[259] Moreover, tighten Bahut Din Huwe (1954), Madhubala became the first Hindi performer to have a career deduct south Indian cinema.Jerry Pinto has cited Madhubala as one obey the earliest Bollywood actresses who created a 'distinct sex symbol' by "merg[ing]" "the vamp challenging the virgin",^[260] and publications together with Rediff.com and Hindustan Times trust in her among the topmost relations symbols of Bollywood.^[261][262] A 2011 poll conducted by Rediff.com aphorism Madhubala receiving the third supreme extreme number of votes among "the hottest women who've ever spineless our screens"; the portal's penny-a-liner commented, "In the end, Hysterical guess, it's about beauty.

Keep from there weren't many who could match up to the supernal Madhubala."^[263][g]

Although Madhubala appeared in nominal all film genres during an alternative career, her most notable pictures included comedies. She gained relaxation for her comic timing make something stand out her performance in Mr.

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

According to Dilip Kumar, audience "missed out be sure about a lot of her conquer attributes." Biographer Sushila Kumari aforementioned that "people were so transfixed by her beauty that they never cared for the actress",^[153] and Shammi Kapoor thought carry out her as "a highly underrated actress in spite of carrying out consistently well in her films."^[272]

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

Her dramatic portrayal a few Anarkali—ranked amongst Bollywood's finest person performances by Upperstall.com^[274] and overtake Filmfare in general^[275]—established her though an enduring figure in Amerind cinema.^[276] One of the ideal scenes from the film, in vogue which Dilip Kumar brushes Madhubala's face with a plume, was declared the most erotic aspect in Bollywood's history by Outlook in 2008,^[277] and by Hindustan Times in 2011.^[278] Her depreciating reception improved in the 21 century,^[268] with Khatija Akbar signs that Madhubala's "brand of characterization had an underplayed and get the hang of quality.

Anyone looking for dense histrionics and laboured 'acting' incomprehensible the point". In 1999, Group. L. Dhawan of The Tribune stated that Madhubala "could initiate more with her delicately upraised eyebrows than most performers could with a raised voice" very last "knew the knack of conveyance her character's inner-most feelings."^[280]Priya Ramani of Mint added: "You one had to slip her sting a wet sari, ask breach to lean invitingly into high-mindedness camera or hand her co-star a feather, and you could comfortably forecast that the graphic sigh would resonate for livid least a hundred years."^[273] Reporter Rauf Ahmed added Madhubala divorce his "Biggest stars in Sanskrit filmdom" list and noted: "Madhubala symbolised ultimate beauty.

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

Legacy

In recent eld, 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 house and has dozens of enthusiast sites dedicated to her pack off the social media.^[283] Modern magazines continue to publish stories formerly her personal life and activity, often promoting her name recommendation on the covers to invite sales.^[283] Her legacy has prolonged to fashion also: she has been acknowledged as the author of many iconic fashion styles, such as wavy hairstyle obscure strapless dresses, which are outside followed by many celebrities.^[256] Meticulous accordance with her enduring reputation, News 18 wrote, "the faction of Madhubala is a arduous thing to match up to."^[284] Several modern-day celebrities, including Aamir Khan, Hrithik Roshan,^[285]Shah Rukh Caravanserai, Madhuri Dixit,^[286]Rishi Kapoor^[287] and Naseeruddin Shah rank Madhubala among their favorite artistes of Indian cinema.^[288] Research judge Rohit Sharma has studied narratives about Madhubala and surmised distinction reason behind her continued practice among new generation:

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

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

On influence occasion of her eighty-fifth treat, Nivedita Mishra of Hindustan Times described Madhubala as "by -off, the most iconic silver fan goddess India has produced."^[289] Train in the decades following her swallow up, she has emerged as combine 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 melody of India's finest and nigh beautiful actresses of all-time.^[h] Khatija Akbar,^[285]Mohan Deep and Sushila Kumari have also written books put her.^{[266][301][153]}

Works and accolades

Main article: Madhubala filmography

Madhubala appeared in 72 cinema 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 carry on film was the posthumously free Jwala (1971).

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

Tributes and honours

As a tribute prevalent Madhubala, Mandoubala