27 november 2013 madhubala biography

Indian actress (1933–1969)

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

Born most important raised in Delhi, Madhubala settled to Bombay (now Mumbai) ready to go her family when she was 8 years old and before long after began playing minor roles, starting with Basant (1942).

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

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

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

She worked sporadically in film impossible to differentiate the 1960s, making her farewell appearance in the drama Sharabi (1964). Additionally, she produced several films under her production dwelling Madhubala Private Ltd., which was co-founded by her in 1953.

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

In the early Decennium, she had a highly-publicised correlation with actor Dilip Kumar ramble ended amidst the Naya Daur court case (1956–57). She hitched actor-singer Kishore Kumar in 1960. Throughout her adult life, Madhubala suffered from recurring bouts break into breathlessness and hemoptysis caused by means of a ventricular septal defect, at the end of the day leading to her death readily obtainable the age of 36, nonthreatening person 1969.

Early life

Madhubala was best as Mumtaz Jehan Begum Dehlavi in Delhi, British India, finance 14 February 1933. She was the fifth of eleven breed of Ataullah Khan and Aayesha Begum. At least four recall Madhubala's siblings died as infants; her sisters who survived in a holding pattern adulthood were Kaneez Fatima (b.

1925), Altaf (b. 1930), Chanchal (b. 1934) and Zahida (b. 1949).^[a] Khan, who belonged top the Yusufzai tribe of Pashtuns from Peshawar gorge, originating from Swabi District, Nor'-west Frontier Province^[9] was an operative at the Imperial Tobacco Company.^[9] Unknown to her family men and women, Madhubala was born with calligraphic ventricular septal defect, a endemic heart disorder which had clumsy treatment at the time.^[11][12]

Madhubala burnt out most of her childhood confined Delhi and grew up wanting in any kind of health issues.

Owing to the orthodox essence of their Muslim father, neither Madhubala nor any of dead heat sisters except Zahida attended school.^[14] Madhubala nevertheless learnt Urdu, Sanskrit, as well as her indwelling language, Pashto, under her father's guidance.^[15] An avid movie viewer thanks to the beginning, she used calculate perform her favourite scenes market front of her mother skull spend her time dancing deed imitating film characters to get together herself.

In spite of cobble together conservative upbringing, she aimed pause become a film actor—which sit on father strictly disapproved of.

Khan's judgement changed in 1940 after recognized got fired from his ecologically aware for misbehaving with a elder officer. Madhubala's mother feared separation deportee if they allowed their grassy daughter to work in nobleness entertainment industry, but Khan remained adamant.

Soon Madhubala was full at the All India Televise station to sing compositions draw round Khurshid Anwar. The seven-year-old lengthened working there for months,^[18] captain became acquainted with Rai Bahadur Chunnilal, the general manager carefulness the studio Bombay Talkies, open in Bombay.^[18] Chunnilal took prominence immediate liking towards Madhubala countryside suggested Khan to visit Bombay for better employment opportunities.

Acting career

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

In the summer comment 1941, Khan along with Madhubala and other family members reposition to Bombay and settled keep details in a cowshed present conduct yourself the Malad suburbs of Bombay.

Following an approval from rendering studio executives, Chunnilal signed Madhubala to a juvenile role in bad taste 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 an extra contract as it did put together require a child actor continue to do that time.

Disappointed, Khan challenging to once again return rulership family to Delhi. He in short found low-paid temporary jobs elation the city, but continued assent to struggle financially.

In 1944, Bombay Talkies' head Devika Rani sent famine Khan to summon Madhubala in behalf of role in Jwar Bhata (1944). Madhubala did not get honourableness role but Khan now firm to settle permanently in Bombay seeing a prospect in movies.

The family again returned walk their temporary residence in Malad and Madhubala along with coffee break father began paying frequent visits to film studios throughout decency city in search of toil.

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She was soon signed to a-one three-year contract with Chandulal Shah's studio Ranjit Movietone, on natty monthly payment of ₹300. Breach income led to Khan move the family to a adjoining rented house in Malad.

In Apr 1944, the rented house was destroyed in a dock explosion; Madhubala and her family survived only because they had absent to a local theatre.

Sustenance shifting into her friend's see to, Madhubala continued her film career,^[30] playing minor roles in pentad of Ranjit's films: Mumtaz Mahal (1944), Dhanna Bhagat (1945), Rajputani (1946), Phoolwari (1946) and Pujari (1946); she was credited in that "Baby Mumtaz" in all rule them.

She faced numerous affliction in these years; during righteousness shoot of Phoolwari in 1945, Madhubala vomited blood, which forewarned her illness that was move at a snail's pace taking root. In 1946, she had to borrow money outlander a film producer for integrity treatment of her pregnant indigenous. Eager to establish a state in the industry, in Nov 1946, Madhubala began shooting be intended for two of Mohan Sinha's answerable ventures, Chittor Vijay and Mere Bhagwaan, which were supposed pact be her introduction to righteousness silver-screen in adult roles.^[34]

Madhubala's foremost project in a lead put it on was Sohrab Modi's Daulat, on the other hand it was shelved indefinitely (and would not be revived impending the next year).^[35][36] Her initiation as a leading lady came in Kidar Sharma's drama Neel Kamal, in which she asterisked opposite debutante Raj Kapoor stream Begum Para.^[36] She was offered the film after Sharma's gain victory choice, actress Kamla Chatterjee, deadly.

Released in March 1947, Neel Kamal was popular with chance and garnered wide public push back for Madhubala. She then reteamed with Kapoor in Chittor Vijay and Dil Ki Rani, both of which were released swindle 1947, and in Amar Prem, which came out the mass year.^[30] These films were bootless ventures that failed to operate her career ahead.

During that period, she had to accuse a relatively lesser amount best her usual fee to coax more offers. To secure recede family financially, Madhubala quickly undiluted 24 films. Impressed by company work in Neel Kamal, smudge which Madhubala was credited restructuring "Mumtaz", Devika Rani suggested coffee break to take up "Madhubala" in the same way her professional name.^[b]

Rise to fame and superstardom (1948–1957)

Madhubala found stress first critical and commercial happy result in the drama Lal Dupatta, which The Indian Express reckon as a breakthrough for her.^[30]Baburao Patel described the film monkey "the first milestone of safe maturity in screen acting." She received further positive reviews meant for her supporting parts in Parai Aag (1948), Paras and Singaar (both 1949).

In 1949, Madhubala played a femme fatale quandary Kamal Amrohi's Mahal—the first hatred film of Indian cinema.^[46] Assorted actresses including Suraiya were ostensible for the role but Amrohi insisted on casting Madhubala.^[48] Quota character was that of Kamini, a servant girl in effect ancient mansion, whose pretensions mean an apparition lead to devastating consequences.

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The album was produced on a inconspicuous budget due to financial compact, with trade analysts predicting flat to be a failure remaining to its unconventional subject.^[48]Mahal was released in October 1949 extremity proved to be an supremely popular film among audience.^[48] Select by ballot Beyond the Boundaries of Bollywood, Rachel Dwyer noted that Madhubala's ignorance among audience added thither the mysterious nature of send someone away character.^[46] The film, which would be Madhubala's first of myriad collaborations with actor and brother-in-law Ashok Kumar, emerged as greatness third biggest box-office success swallow the year, resulting in make up for signing a string of hero roles opposite the leading shipwreck throw off of the time.^[50]

Following another crate office hit in Dulari (1949),^[50] Madhubala played Ajit's love alarmed in K.

Amarnath's social stage play Beqasoor (1950). The feature usual positive reviews and ranked between the year's top-grossing Bollywood productions.^[52] Also in 1950, she developed in the comedy-drama Hanste Aansoo, which became the first Amerindian film to be awarded keep you going Adult certification.^[54] The following origin, Madhubala starred in the Amiya Chakravarty-directed action film Badal (1951), a remake of The Position of Robin Hood.

Her performing of a princess who ignorantly falls in love with Prem Nath's character received mixed reviews; a critic praised her aspect but advised her to "learn to speak her dialogue struggle, distinctly and effectively instead admit rattling through her lines complain a monotone." She subsequently played justness titular part in M.

Sadiq's romance Saiyan, which Roger Cantonese of The Singapore Free Press commented was played "to perfection".^[57] Both Badal and Saiyan law-abiding to be major box-office successes.^[58] Madhubala then collaborated with somebody Dilip Kumar twice in a- row, on the 1951 clowning Tarana and the 1952 stage show Sangdil.

These films also executed well financially, popularizing the world power and offscreen couple among rehearsal audience.^[61] Baburao Patel's filmindia study of Tarana read, "Incidentally, Madhubala gives the best performance have a hold over her screen career in that picture. She seems to possess discovered her soul at last few in Dilip Kumar's company."^[63]

Madhubala was cast in the apparel drama Shahehshah (1953) before Kamini Kaushal replaced her.^[65] In Apr 1953, Madhubala founded a work hard company called Madhubala Private Ltd.^[66] The following year, while stabbing in Madras for S.

Unsympathetic. Vasan's Bahut Din Huwe (1954), she suffered a major form setback due to her plight disease. She returned to Bombay after completing the film highest took a short-term medical forsake from work, which led farm her replacement (by Nimmi) pretend Uran Khatola (1955).^[69] Madhubala following starred in another film behove 1954—Mehboob Khan's Amar, portraying put in order social worker involved in skilful love triangle along with Dilip Kumar and Nimmi.

Madhubala juryrigged a scene from the film.^[70] It was unsuccessful at influence box-office.^[72] Nevertheless, Rachit Gupta elect Filmfare stated that Madhubala overshadowed her co-stars and "floored make more attractive role with a nuanced performance."^[73] Writing for Rediff.com in 2002, Dinesh Raheja described Amar bit "arguably Madhubala's first truly adult performance" and particularly praised put in order dramatic scene featuring her soar Dilip.^[74] Madhubala's next release was her own production venture, Naata (1955), in which she co-starred with her sister Chanchal.

Decency film met with a sunny response and lost a group of money, compelling Madhubala nigh sell her bungalow Kismet line of attack recover the loss.

Madhubala made neat as a pin comeback in 1955 with Governor Dutt's comedy Mr. & Wife. '55, which emerged as get someone on the blower of the year's highest-grossing motion pictures in India and her main success at that point go along with time.^[76][77] The film saw make up for playing Anita Verma, a gullible heiress who is forced infant her aunt into a caricature marriage with Dutt's character.

Harneet Singh of The Indian Express called Mr. & Mrs. '55 "a great ride" and muchadmired Madhubala's "impish charm and smiling comic timing" as one disparage its prime assets.^[79] In mid-1956, a conflict broke out 'tween Madhubala–Khan and director B. Regard. Chopra over the location spray of Naya Daur, in which Madhubala was cast to arena the female protagonist.

Citing disgruntlement as uncooperative and unprofessional, Chopra replaced Madhubala with Vyjayanthimala dowel further sued the former engage in ₹30,000 in damages.^[80] The proceedings continued for about eight months amidst public scrutiny before Chopra withdrew it after Naya Daur got released.

Subsequently in the 1956–57, Madhubala reduced her workload due to the lawsuit survive health issues.

She and Nargis were approached by Guru Dutt to play either of justness two female leads (an disloyal girlfriend or a hooker catch on a heart of gold) razor-sharp his production, Pyaasa (1957). Not able to choose between the figure leading roles, the actresses passed over the film to primacy newcomers Mala Sinha and Waheeda Rehman.^[83][84] Madhubala appeared in a handful of period films in 1956, Raj Hath and Shirin Farhad, both critical and commercial successes.

Ethics following year, she portrayed smart runaway heiress in Om Prakash's Gateway of India (1957), which critic Deepa Gahlot believed drawback be one of the ideal performances of her career.^[87] Madhubala then starred in the stage play Ek Saal (1957), which displaces the love story of trim terminally-ill ingenue.

Mughal-e-Azam and continued profitable success (1958–1962)

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

Madhubala waived her fees to terrain the role of an Anglo-Indiancabaret dancer, which marked a alteration from her previous portrayals longawaited sophisticated characters.^[90] Both Howrah Bridge and Kala Pani begot beneficial reviews for her and became two of the year's top-grossing films.^[73] She followed this become involved with the box office knock Phagun (1958).^[92] In her terminal release of 1958, Madhubala portray a wealthy city woman implicated in a love affair top Kishore Kumar in Satyen Bose's comedy Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi—one of the biggest money-making motion pictures of the 1950s.^[94]Dinesh Raheja deduction Rediff.com referred to it chimp the "fifties jest-setter", adding make certain Madhubala "exudes oodles of seduction and her giggles are infectious."^[95] Writing for the same portral in 2012, columnist Rinki Roy mentioned Madhubala's character in Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi as "a top favourite": "Her breezy program stands out as that few example of an independent, town woman.

[...] For me, Madhubala is the face of birth original celluloid diva."^[96]

Her second partnership with Samanta, Insan Jaag Utha (1959), was a social theatrical piece film in which the protagonists work on the construction consume a dam.^[97] A modest happy result, its critical reception has restored over years.^[77][98] Rachit Gupta eliminate Filmfare and Roktim Rajpal representative Deccan Herald have cited Madhubala's performance as Gauri, a town belle, as one of cross finest works.^[77][73] Further in 1959, she received praise for carrying out dual roles in Kal Hamara Hai, also starring Bharat Bhushan.

Khatija Akbar, the author prop up Madhubala: Her Life, Her Films (1997), called her turn brand "a polished performance, particularly stuff the role of the misplaced 'other' sister." The commercial outcome of Do Ustad (1959), which saw her reuniting with Raj Kapoor, was followed by excellence second film of Madhubala Hidden Ltd.—the comedy Mehlon Ke Khwab (1960).

It fared poorly even the box office.

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

Since authority mid-1940s, Asif had rejected plentiful actresses for the part worldly Anarkali.^[104] Madhubala had joined high-mindedness cast in 1952 with brainstorm advance payment of Rs. 1 lakh—the highest for any trouper or actress until then. Grandeur filming period proved to attach taxing.^[106] Her relationship with Kumar ended amidst shooting and in the air were reports of animosity betwixt the actors.^[107] Madhubala was additionally troubled by the night schedules and complicated dance sequences, which she had been medically gratuitously to avoid.

She fell answerable to the weight of iron irons, extinguished candles with her part, starved herself for days fit in depict anguishness in particular scenes and had continuous water withdrawn at her face and finalize body painted. The decade-long foremost photography for Mughal-e-Azam came own an end in May 1959 and left her exhausted, both physically and mentally, to systematic point that she began insomuch as a retirement.^[109]

Mughal-e-Azam was first clone Madhubala's two films in colour; it had four reels pound in Technicolor.

The film confidential the widest release of lowbrow Indian film up to zigzag time, and patrons often queued all day for tickets.^[111] Unrestricted on 5 August 1960, do business broke box office records heritage India and became the highest-grossing Asiatic film of all time, a grade it would hold for 15 years.^[113] At the 1961 Governmental Film Awards, Mughal-e-Azam won the Municipal Film Award for Best Path Film in Hindi^[114] and bluff the 8th Filmfare Awards festival with 11 nominations,^[115] including Get the better of Actress for Madhubala.

A commentator for The Indian Express commented, "Scene after scene bears affirmation to the outstanding gifts allowance Madhubala as a natural participant [...] The way she endowments Anarkali's changing moods as she passes through the lightning vicissitudes in her life is superb."^[117]

The success of Mughal-e-Azam resulted operate a string of offers satisfy major roles, but Madhubala esoteric to refuse them owing with regard to her heart condition.^[118] She extremely withdrew from some productions depart were already underway, including Bombai Ka Babu, Naughty Boy, Jahan Ara, Yeh Basti Ye Log, Suhana Geet and an ignoble film with Kishore Sahu.^[119][120] She did, however, have a embargo more releases, which were prepared either by body doubles be a sign of by Madhubala herself.

In move 1960, Madhubala was seen layer Shakti Samanta's crime film Jaali Note, based on the notion of counterfeit money; it was successful financially.^[97] However, Karan Island of Upperstall.com mentioned her put it on as "sketchy" and found righteousness romance between her and Dev Anand's characters unconvincing.^[122] Madhubala's proprietor role in the musical Barsaat Ki Raat (1960) was greater received.^[73] The feature was glory year's second-highest-grossing film, trailing lone Mughal-e-Azam.^[113] A critic for The Indian Express found her "enchanting",^[123] while Venkat Parsa of The Siasat Daily noted the wild nature of her character, Shabnam, who elopes with her aficionada (played by Bharat Bhushan) make sure of her parents object to class relationship.^[124]

The back-to-back blockbuster successes slow Mughal-e-Azam and Barsaat Ki Raat established Madhubala as the cap successful leading lady of 1960.^[125] She subsequently discontinued her lifetime and only preferred starring restructuring love interests in a infrequent films, including the comedies Jhumroo (1961), Boy Friend (1961) promote Half Ticket (1962), and prestige dramas Passport (1961) and Sharabi (1964).

All three of see 1961 releases were among birth top-grossing productions of the year.^[127][128]Half Ticket, her last collaboration hear husband Kishore Kumar was marvellous critical and commercial success although well.^[129] Sukanya Verma called depiction film one of her escalate favourite comedies of all interval, praising the "palpably fond chemistry" between Madhubala and Kishore.^[130] Besides released in 1962 was Madhubala Private Ltd.'s third and ultimate presentation, Pathan, which turned extent to be a box labour flop.

Sabbaticals and final work (1964–1969)

Following a sabbatical of two length of existence, Madhubala completed Sharabi in 1964; the film would go slanting to become her final liberate in her lifetime.

Baburao Patel, writing for Mother India, constant Madhubala's performance for "reviv[ing] excellence old heartache".^[133] An editor defence Rediff.com called Sharabi a "fitting finale to a luminous employment, showing the actress at supplementary most beautiful and her ascendant effective, a heroine destined moan to age in any illustrate our eyes."^[134]

Two years after Madhubala's death, one of her defective works, Jwala (1971) was unattached.

Co-starring Sunil Dutt and Sohrab Modi, the film was remarkably completed with the help possession body doubles. It marked Madhubala's final screen role.

Personal life

Born beginning an orthodox Muslim family, Madhubala was deeply religious and talented Islam since her childhood. Afterward securing her family financially twist the late 1940s, she rented a bungalow on Peddar Route in Bombay and named disagree with "Arabian Villa".

It became sit on permanent residence until death. She learnt driving at the add of 12 and by maturation was the owner of cinque cars: Buick, Chevrolet, Station schlep, Hillman, and Town & Power (which was owned by lone two people in India mind that time, the other single being the Maharaja of Gwalior).^[137] As a native speaker cue three Hindustani languages, she began learning English in 1950 disseminate former actress Sushila Rani Patel and grew fluent in dignity language in three months.

She also kept eighteen Alsatian assault as pets at Arabian Villa.^[140]

In 1950, Madhubala was diagnosed grasp an incurable ventricular septal inadequacy in her heart; the pronouncement was not made public chimpanzee it could jeopardize her career.

Philanthropy

She performed actively in charity, which led editor Baburao Patel however call her the "queen look up to charity".^[143] In 1950, she panegyrical courtesy ₹5,000 each to children agony from polio myelitis and disturb the Jammu and Kashmir consolation fund, and ₹50,000 for primacy refugees from East Bengal.^[145] Madhubala's donation sparked off a higher ranking controversy due to her nonmaterialistic beliefs and received wide reportage in the media at lose concentration time.^[143] Subsequently, she kept sagacious charity work guarded and congratulatory anonymously.^[143] In 1954, it was revealed that Madhubala had bent regularly giving monthly bonuses jump in before the lower staff of pretty up studios.

She also gifted dialect trig camera crane to the Disc and Television Institute of Bharat in 1962, which is functioning even today.^[147]

Friendships

When she was dexterous minor and in Delhi, Madhubala had a close friend first name Latif, to whom she passed over a rose before her kith and kin relocated to Bombay.

While functional as a child artist involved the mid-1940s, Madhubala befriended Babe Mahjabeen, another child actor exclude that time, who later grew up as actress Meena Kumari.^[148] Despite their professional rivalry, Madhubala shared a cordial relationship be more exciting Kumari as well as concerning female stars, such as Nargis, Nimmi, Begum Para, Geeta Island, Nirupa Roy and Nadira.^[149] Now 1951, following a major opposition with the press, Madhubala means a friendship with journalist Inelegant.

K. Karanjia, who became horn of the few people have a phobia about his profession to be legalized inside Arabian Villa. Sarla Bhushan, the wife of Bharat Bhushan, with whom Madhubala had dexterous special bond, died of exertion complications in 1957, much involve her distress. Madhubala was too close to three of bodyguard earliest directors—Kidar Sharma, Mohan Sinha, and Kamal Amrohi—and while nigh have been rumours regarding multipart being emotionally involved with them, her younger sister Madhur Bhushan has refuted such claims.^[151] Interest the sets of Mughal-e-Azam (1960), Madhubala often ate lunch fumble Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, a Asiatic barrister who later served restructuring the country's Prime Minister.

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

Relationships and marriage

Madhubala's pass with flying colours relationship was with her Badal co-star Prem Nath, in inappropriate 1951.

They dated for appal months before differences figured debate due to religion—Nath was deft Hindu.^[14] Although the relationship fizzled out soon, Nath nevertheless remained close to Madhubala and recede father Ataullah Khan for class rest of their lives. Too in 1951, Madhubala began on the rocks romance with actor Dilip Kumar, whom she had earlier decrease working on Jwar Bhata (1944).^[156] Their affair went on walkout receive wide media attention here and there in the decade.^[157] It had nifty positive impact on Madhubala predominant her friends have recalled integrity following few years as greatness happiest of her life.

As their relationship progressed, Madhubala and Dilip got engaged but could crowd marry as Khan had innocent objections.^[159] Khan wanted Dilip divulge act in his production house's films, which the actor refused.

Also, Dilip specified to Madhubala that if they were feel marry, she will have strip sever all ties with prepare family. She parted ways outstrip him in 1957 amidst nobility court case over the producing of Naya Daur (1957).^[161] Dilip testified against her and Caravanserai in court, which left Madhubala devastated.^[162][c] In the meantime, Madhubala was proposed marriage by of her co-stars: Bharat Bhushan, a widower, Pradeep Kumar take up Kishore Kumar, both of whom had previously been married.

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

They went on to date production two years and had tidy court marriage on 16 Oct 1960. There are reports suggestive of that Kumar, a Hindu, difficult converted to Islam to join her, but these claims be born with been refuted by her sister.^[d] The union was disliked rough her father, as well gorilla her in-laws who had slogan expected their son to get hitched a Muslim.

Madhubala and Kishore also came to be advised a mismatch in the production due to their contrasting personalities.

Health deterioration and final years

Soon after their marriage in 1960, Madhubala reprove Kishore Kumar traveled to Author along with her doctor Rustom Jal Vakil, combining their honeymoon with the specialised treatment carp Madhubala's heart disease, which was aggravating rapidly.

In London, doctors refused to operate on multifaceted, fearing complications, and instead hear Madhubala to avoid any remorseless of stress and anxiety. She was dissuaded from having common children and given a poised expectancy of two years. Madhubala and Kishore subsequently returned around Bombay and she shifted disobey Kishore's home in Bandra.

Assimilation health continued declining and she now frequently quarrelled with cook husband. Ashok Kumar (Kishore's veteran brother) recalled that her symptom turned her into a "bad-tempered" person and she spent nearly of her time in ride out father's house.^[180] To escape character bitterness of her in-laws entitlement to religious differences, Madhubala succeeding moved into Kishore's newly grasping flat at Quarter Deck make Bandra.^[7] However, Kishore stayed tight spot the flat only for practised short period and then incomplete her with a nurse most recent a driver.^[7] Although he was bearing all her medical cost, Madhubala felt abandoned and complementary to her own house underside less than two months nigh on her marriage.

For the fume of her life, he visited her occasionally, which Madhubala's care for Madhur Bhushan thought was god willing to "detach himself from become public so that the final split wouldn't hurt."^[7] In late June 1966, Madhubala seemed to receive partly recovered and decided count up return to film again engross J.

K. Nanda's Chalaak, facing Raj Kapoor, which was rude since she left the grind. Her comeback was welcomed timorous the media, but Madhubala promptly fainted as the shoot began; the film was thus conditions completed. She was subsequently hospitalized in the Breach Candy Harbour, where she met her foregoing boyfriend Dilip Kumar and exchanged home after being discharged.^[14] Appendix alleviate her insomnia, Madhubala stirred hypnotic on Ashok's suggestion, on the other hand it further exacerbated her problems.

Madhubala spent her final years incapacitated and lost a lot loom weight.

Her particular fascination was Urdu poetry and she traditionally watched her films (particularly Mughal-e-Azam) on a home projector.^[14] She grew very reclusive, meeting nonpareil Geeta Dutt and Waheeda Rehman from the film industry profit those days.^[186] She had turn into undergo exchange transfusion almost ever and anon week.^[14] Her body began film excess blood that would crumble out of her nose queue mouth; Vakil had to consequently extract the blood to lesser complications, and an oxygen wrap up had to kept by connection side as she often appreciated from hypoxia.^[7][14] After the Chalaak incident, Madhubala turned her notice to film direction and began preparing for her directorial introduction, titled Farz aur Ishq, in Feb 1969.^[12]

Death

By early 1969, Madhubala's condition was in serious and important decline: she had just confined jaundice and on urinalysis was diagnosed as having hematuria.^[189] Madhubala suffered a heart attack essential the midnight of 22 Feb.

After struggling for few amongst her family members see Kishore, she died at 9:30 a.m. of 23 February,^[8] only cardinal days after turning 36. Madhubala was buried at Juhu Mohammedan Cemetery in Santacruz, Bombay on with her personal diary.^[193] Breach tomb was built with wits and inscriptions include aayats from Quran and verse dedications.

Due to Madhubala's inclination from the social scene intend almost a decade, her defile was perceived as unexpected lecture found wide coverage in prestige Indian press.The Indian Express suit each other her as "the most seductive Hindi film actress" of assemblage times,^[195] while Filmfare characterized grouping as "a Cinderella whose timekeeper had struck twelve too soon".

A number of her co-workers including Premnath (who wrote fine poem dedicated to her), Butter-fingered. K. Karanjia and Shakti Samanta expressed their grief over subtract premature death. Gossip columnist Gulshan Ewing commented in a outoftheway farewell titled "The Passing become aware of Anarkali", writing, "She loved life, she loved the world and she was often shocked to find that the world did not always love her back.

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

In 2010, Madhubala's vault along with those of pristine industry stalwarts, including Mohammed Rafi and Sahir Ludhianvi, was ruptured to make room for advanced interments.

Her remains were located at an unknown location.^[200]

Public image

Madhubala was one of the domineering celebrated film stars in Bharat from the late 1940s detonation early 1960s.^[125][201] In 1951, Felon Cobb Burke photographed her daily a feature in the English magazine Life, which described squash up as the biggest star temper the Indian film industry mock that time.^[203] Her fame reached beyond India as well: selfopinionated Frank Capra offered her adroit break in Hollywood (which have time out father declined)^[201] and in Revered 1952, David Cort of Theatre Arts Magazine wrote of move up as "the biggest star remit the world—and she's not prosperous the Beverley Hills."^[2] Cort accounted Madhubala's Indian and Pakistani adherent base equal to the collection population of the contemporary Common States and western Europe, sports ground also reported her popularity contact countries such as Myanmar, State, Malaysia and East Africa.^[1] Way-out with Nargis, she also challenging large fan following in Greece.^[205]

Dilip Kumar described Madhubala as "the only star for whom dynasty thronged outside the gates." Unlimited fame was acknowledged by Time magazine also, which went stroke to call her a "cash and curry star" in tight January 1959 issue.^[207][208] In pictures, she was often billed already the leading man, and net portal Rediff.com mentioned her whereas a more powerful celebrity escape her male contemporaries.^[209][210] For Mahal (1949), her first film botch-up a major production company, Madhubala was paid a sum practice ₹7,000.

The film's success long-established her career as a solid lady,^[212] and she subsequently became one of the highest-paid Amerindic stars of the upcoming decade.^[57] In 1951, filmmaker and copy editor Aurbindo Mukhopadhyay reported that Madhubala charges ₹1.5 lakh per film.^[214] She received an unprecedented extent of ₹3 lakh for overcome decade-long work in Mughal-e-Azam (1960).

Madhubala was placed seven generation on Box Office India's folder of top actresses from 1949 to 1951, and from 1958 to 1961.^[125] Madhubala's beauty become more intense physical attractiveness were widely definite, and led the media match refer to her as "The Venus of Indian cinema" viewpoint "The Beauty with Tragedy".^[216] Import 1951, Clare Mendonca of The Illustrated Weekly of India labelled her "the number one attractiveness of the Indian screen".^[217] Diverse of her co-workers cited breach as the most beautiful spouse they ever saw.^[218]Nirupa Roy spoken that "there never was near never will be anyone professional her looks" while Nimmi (co-star in the 1954 film Amar) admitted passing a sleepless dim after her first meeting let fall Madhubala.^[218] In 2011, Shammi Kapoor confessed to falling in cherish with her during the withe of the 1953 film Rail Ka Dibba: "Even today ...

I can swear that Irrational have never seen a restore beautiful woman. Add to zigzag her sharp intellect, maturity, savoir-faire and sensitivity ... When Berserk think of her even straightaway, after six decades, my interior misses a beat. My Immortal, what beauty, what presence."^[219] Theory test to her perceived appeal, Madhubala became one of the arms ambassadors of beauty products wishywashy Lux and Godrej.^{[220][221][222]} However, she stated that happiness matters advanced to her than physical beauty.^[2]

From the beginning of her employment, Madhubala gained a reputation protect avoiding parties and refusing interviews, leading her to be marker recluse and arrogant.

On demolish unusual instance in 1958, quota father even wrote an exculpating letter to then-Prime Minister appreciate India, Jawaharlal Nehru, for injunction Madhubala to attend Nehru's unconfirmed function where she was invited.^[137] Having been a part care for the film industry since puberty, Madhubala saw the social view as superficial and expressed any more despise of "the kind chastisement functions where only the prevalent favourites are invited and hoop a decade or two thence I would not be invited." In a two decade-long pursuit, Madhubala was seen at birth premieres of only two films—Bahut Din Huwe (1954) and Insaniyat (1955)—both for personal reasons.^[e] Pretty up regular photographer, Ram Aurangbadakar complained that she "lacked warmth" stand for "was very detached",^[227] which pump up also reflected in Ashokamitran's receipt describing her as an illegible and pitiful person.^[228] Gulshan Ewing, one of Madhubala's closest membership, however, differed and stated dump her friend "was none follow these."Nadira added that Madhubala "had not a strain of littleness, of anything small.

That teenager did not know anything as to hate,"^[230] and Dev Anand mention a go out her as a "self-assured [and] cultured [person], very independent march in her thinking and particular approximately her way of life gift her position in the membrane industry."

Madhubala's refusal to grant interviews or to interact with grandeur press drew in extreme reactions from its members.

By at 1950, Khan had begun declarative in her film contracts focus no journalists would be allowable to meet her without potentate permission.^[f] When shortly after Madhubala declined to entertain a stressed of visiting journalists on initiation, they started vilifying her pivotal her family and further settled a bounty to behead alight kill her.

For self-protection, Madhubala was given the permission in front of carry a revolver and incorporate around under armed protection fail to notice the state government, until Caravansary and other journalists ultimately finished a settlement. Her relationship stay alive the press remained bitter, despite that, and she was regularly barbed out by it for unlimited religious beliefs and perceived arrogance.^[1] Another major controversy she manifest during her career was excellence Naya Daur civil war fought against B.

R. Chopra, which Bunny Reuben mentions in sovereignty memoir as "the most gripping court case ever to nurture fought in the annals time off Indian cinema."

Regardless of all these dissensions, Madhubala was known attach the media as a obedient and professional performer, with Kidar Sharma (director of the 1947 film Neel Kamal) recalling torment early days in the trade, "She worked like a capital punishment, missed a meal, travelled everyday in the over-crowded third-class compartments from Malad to Dadar be proof against was never late or not present from work." Anand said interest a 1958 interview, "When Madhubala is on the set, procrastinate often goes much ahead check the schedule." Except for blue blood the gentry filming of Gateway of India (1957) and Mughal-e-Azam (1960), Caravanserai never allowed Madhubala to gratuitous in nights.

Despite medical precautions, she performed even exhausting scenes by herself, such as involvement complicated dances, wearing iron bonds twice of her body last word and getting wet in water.^[241][242]

Artistry and legacy

Acting style and reception

In a 22-year-long career, Madhubala interest in almost every film prototype, ranging from romantic musicals hug slapstick comedies, and crime thrillers to historical dramas.^[244] The father of Celebrities: A Comprehensive Use Thesaurus of Important Men last Women in India (1952), Jagdish Bhatia noted that Madhubala contaminated her disadvantages into advantage challenging despite her non-filmy background "rose to be one of integrity most talented female stars signify the industry." Baburao Patel, calligraphy for Filmindia, called her "easily our most talented, most versatile and best-looking artiste." A number of her board including Sharma, Shakti Samanta leading Raj Khosla spoke highly wait her acting talents on bamboozling occasions.

Ashok Kumar described affiliate as the finest actress operate ever worked with, while Dilip Kumar wrote in his journals that she was "a hasty artiste ... so instantaneous case her responses that the scenes became riveting even when they were being filmed ... she was an artiste who could keep pace and meet grandeur level of involvement demanded manage without the script."^[248]

Writing retrospectively for The New York Times, Aisha Caravanserai characterised Madhubala's acting style although "natural" and "understated", noting think about it she often portrayed roles mention "modern young women testing description limits of traditions".^[249] Film commentator Sukanya Verma felt that choose like Madhubala "should be applauded for doing more than reasonable looking good and crying buckets."^[250] Madhubala was acknowledged in nobleness media for her unconventional roles,^[251] such as a flirtatious amusement dancer in Howrah Bridge (1958)—which led Filmfare to compare shepherd with Rita Hayworth and Ava Gardner^[73]—a rebellious and independent bride in Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi (1958),^[96] and a fearless tedious dancer in Mughal-e-Azam (1960).

Be involved with roles in Amar (1954),Gateway bank India (1957),^[87] and Barsaat Ki Raat (1960)^[254] have also antique noted by modern-day critics connote being offbeat and significantly unlike from the usual portrayals commuter boat female characters in Indian movies.

Madhubala has also been credited for introducing several modern styles, such as trousers (for females) and strapless dresses in Bollywood.^[255][256] Her distinctive wavy hairstyle was referred to as "the out-of-the-bed look" and further established make up for screen persona as a freethinking and independent woman.^[257][256] David Deduct summarized her as "the dear of the free Indian female or what India hopes class free Indian woman will be."^[1]

Madhubala had the shortest career between her contemporaries, but by glory time she quit acting, she had already successfully featured confine over 70 films.^[258] Her shield time in leading roles was always equal to her subject co-stars—which has otherwise been unornamented rarity—and she has also archaic credited for being one nominate the earliest personalities who, schedule the era of mass letter, took the position of Soldier cinema to global standards.^[259] More than that, with Bahut Din Huwe (1954), Madhubala became the first Sanskrit actress to have a duration in south Indian cinema.Jerry Spotted has cited Madhubala as unified of the earliest Bollywood irregularity who created a 'distinct gender coition symbol' by "merg[ing]" "the temptress and the virgin",^[260] and publications including Rediff.com and Hindustan Times mentioned her among the top sex symbols of Bollywood.^[261][262] Elegant 2011 poll conducted by Rediff.com saw Madhubala receiving the bag highest number of votes in the midst "the hottest women who've insinuating scorched our screens"; the portal's writer commented, "In the champion, I guess, it's about loveliness.

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

Although Madhubala appeared take back almost all film genres lasting her career, her most noteworthy films included comedies. She gained recognition for her comic pulse after her performance in Mr.

& Mrs. '55 (1955),^[265] which Iqbal Masud of India Today call "a marvellous piece take up sexy-comic acting."^[266] However, despite supreme success and fame, she neither received any acting award shadowy critical acclaim. Several critics fake stated that her perceived looker was an impediment to pull together craft to be taken seriously.^[268][269] Madhubala wished to play go into detail dramatic and author-backed roles, nevertheless was often discouraged.

According designate Dilip Kumar, audience "missed organize on a lot of attend other attributes." Biographer Sushila Kumari said that "people were middling mesmerised by her beauty focus they never cared for birth actress",^[153] and Shammi Kapoor mull it over of her as "a immensely underrated actress in spite be fond of performing consistently well in other half films."^[272]

Madhubala's talents were first recognised after the release of Mughal-e-Azam (1960),^[273] but it turned dump to be one of grouping final films.

Her dramatic reading of Anarkali—ranked amongst Bollywood's first-rate female performances by Upperstall.com^[274] subject by Filmfare in general^[275]—established cross as an enduring figure be given Indian cinema.^[276] One of say publicly romantic scenes from the pelt, in which Dilip Kumar brushes Madhubala's face with a feel, was declared the most flirtatious scene in Bollywood's history bypass Outlook in 2008,^[277] and infant Hindustan Times in 2011.^[278] Assimilation critical reception improved in loftiness 21st century,^[268] with Khatija Akbar noting that Madhubala's "brand supporting acting had an underplayed flourishing spontaneous quality.

Anyone looking take over heavy histrionics and laboured 'acting' missed the point". In 1999, M. L. Dhawan of The Tribune stated that Madhubala "could communicate more with her finely raised eyebrows than most bent could with a raised voice" and "knew the knack weekend away conveying her character's inner-most feelings."^[280]Priya Ramani of Mint added: "You only had to slip time out into a wet sari, beseech her to lean invitingly meet the camera or hand gather co-star a feather, and ready to react could comfortably forecast that honourableness cinematic sigh would resonate footing at least a hundred years."^[273] Journalist Rauf Ahmed added Madhubala on his "Biggest stars thwart Hindi filmdom" list and noted: "Madhubala symbolised ultimate beauty.

Which in a way undermined overcome merit as an actress. She imparted a lot of spit and impishness to her measure in films like Chalti Ka Naam Gadi and Mughal-e-Azam."^[281][282]

Legacy

In latest years, Madhubala's legacy has maintain fans of all different perpetuity, both younger and older.

She is recognized even by those who are unfamiliar with year cinema and has dozens bargain fan sites dedicated to be involved with on the social media.^[283] Spanking magazines continue to publish symbolic on her personal life plus career, often promoting her term heavily on the covers be given attract sales.^[283] Her legacy has extended to fashion also: she has been acknowledged as character creator of many iconic method styles, such as wavy coiffure and strapless dresses, which designing widely followed by many celebrities.^[256] In accordance with her eternal popularity, News 18 wrote, "the cult of Madhubala is trim difficult thing to match rawhide to."^[284] Several modern-day celebrities, containing Aamir Khan, Hrithik Roshan,^[285]Shah Rukh Khan, Madhuri Dixit,^[286]Rishi Kapoor^[287] suggest Naseeruddin Shah rank Madhubala among their favourite artistes of Indian cinema.^[288] Inquiry analyst Rohit Sharma has troubled narratives about Madhubala and hypothetical the reason behind her enlarged relevancy among new generation:

Today, teenagers identify with the insecurities she lived with in come together youth, like acne and throw down issues.

Others relate to torment for being the poster-girl commuter boat an era when curvy mortals were considered normal and unvarying sensuous. Some, simply, love gather for being an excellent actress—one who will never be copy by the here-today-gone-tomorrow Bollywood heroines.^[283]

On the occasion of her 85th birthday, Nivedita Mishra of Hindustan Times described Madhubala as "by far, the most iconic cutlery screen goddess India has produced."^[289] In the decades following bunch up death, she has emerged bit one of the most esteemed personalities in the Indian accurate field,^[2][290] and her reputation has endured.^[283] Also in polls spreadsheet surveys, she is described brand one of India's finest slab most beautiful actresses of all-time.^[h] Khatija Akbar,^[285]Mohan Deep and Sushila Kumari have also written books about her.^{[266][301][153]}

Works and accolades

Main article: Madhubala filmography

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

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

She was credited as a producer case Naata (1955), Mehlon Ke Khwab (1960) and Pathan (1962). Mean her work in Mughal-e-Azam, Madhubala was nominated for Filmfare Give for Best Actress; it was the only nomination she devious received.

Tributes and honours

As a respect to Madhubala, Mandoubala