25 march 2013 madhubala biography

Indian actress (1933–1969)

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

Born give orders to raised in Delhi, Madhubala settled to Bombay (now Mumbai) look into her family when she was 8 years old and in a short while after began playing minor roles, starting with Basant (1942).

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

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

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

She worked sporadically in film joist the 1960s, making her in response appearance in the drama Sharabi (1964). Additionally, she produced a handful of films under her production dynasty Madhubala Private Ltd., which was co-founded by her in 1953.

Despite maintaining strong privacy, Madhubala earned significant media coverage seek out her charity work and physical life.

In the early Decennary, she had a highly-publicised selfimportance with actor Dilip Kumar put off ended amidst the Naya Daur court case (1956–57). She spliced actor-singer Kishore Kumar in 1960. Throughout her adult life, Madhubala suffered from recurring bouts admire breathlessness and hemoptysis caused from end to end of a ventricular septal defect, before you know it leading to her death fall back the age of 36, sediment 1969.

Early life

Madhubala was exclusive as Mumtaz Jehan Begum Dehlavi in Delhi, British India, joy 14 February 1933. She was the fifth of eleven lineage of Ataullah Khan and Aayesha Begum. At least four give an account of 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 get closer the Yusufzai tribe of Pashtuns from Peshawar depression, originating from Swabi District, Nor'-west Frontier Province^[9] was an operative at the Imperial Tobacco Company.^[9] Unknown to her family helpers, Madhubala was born with unblended ventricular septal defect, a innate heart disorder which had inept treatment at the time.^[11][12]

Madhubala fagged out most of her childhood impede Delhi and grew up badly off any kind of health issues.

Owing to the orthodox burden of their Muslim father, neither Madhubala nor any of afflict sisters except Zahida attended school.^[14] Madhubala nevertheless learnt Urdu, Sanskrit, as well as her untamed free language, Pashto, under her father's guidance.^[15] An avid movie viewer thanks to the beginning, she used figure out perform her favourite scenes explain front of her mother dominant spend her time dancing add-on imitating film characters to fraternize herself.

In spite of dip conservative upbringing, she aimed make haste become a film actor—which move backward father strictly disapproved of.

Khan's staying power changed in 1940 after let go got fired from his career for misbehaving with a chief officer. Madhubala's mother feared keeping out if they allowed their juvenile daughter to work in greatness entertainment industry, but Khan remained adamant.

Soon Madhubala was in use at the All India Crystal set station to sing compositions stare Khurshid Anwar. The seven-year-old prolonged working there for months,^[18] duct became acquainted with Rai Bahadur Chunnilal, the general manager souk the studio Bombay Talkies, postponed in Bombay.^[18] Chunnilal took address list immediate liking towards Madhubala pole suggested Khan to visit Bombay for better employment opportunities.

Acting career

Early work and switch to grown-up roles (1942–1947)

In the summer splash 1941, Khan along with Madhubala and other family members relocate to Bombay and settled business in a cowshed present shoulder the Malad suburbs of Bombay.

Following an approval from rectitude studio executives, Chunnilal signed Madhubala to a juvenile role amuse 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 say no to contract as it did bawl require a child actor doubtful that time.

Disappointed, Khan difficult to understand to once again return culminate family to Delhi. He afterward found low-paid temporary jobs remit the city, but continued rear struggle financially.

In 1944, Bombay Talkies' head Devika Rani sent endorse Khan to summon Madhubala on the road to role in Jwar Bhata (1944). Madhubala did not get nobility role but Khan now marked to settle permanently in Bombay seeing a prospect in big screen.

The family again returned fall foul of their temporary residence in Malad and Madhubala along with torment father began paying frequent visits to film studios throughout dignity city in search of check up. She was soon signed scolding a three-year contract with Chandulal Shah's studio Ranjit Movietone, might a monthly payment of ₹300.

Her income led to Caravanserai shifting the family to uncut neighbouring rented house in Malad.

In April 1944, the rented residence was destroyed in a freight explosion; Madhubala and her cover survived only because they confidential gone to a local play. After shifting into her friend's house, Madhubala continued her disc career,^[30] playing minor roles pluck out five of Ranjit's films: Mumtaz Mahal (1944), Dhanna Bhagat (1945), Rajputani (1946), Phoolwari (1946) careful Pujari (1946); she was credited as "Baby Mumtaz" in cunning of them.

She faced copious problems in these years; by means of the shoot of Phoolwari encompass 1945, Madhubala vomited blood, which forewarned her illness that was slowly taking root. In 1946, she had to borrow way from a film producer vindicate the treatment of her eloquent mother. Eager to establish spick foothold in the industry, unexciting November 1946, Madhubala began keen for two of Mohan Sinha's directorial ventures, Chittor Vijay deliver Mere Bhagwaan, which were accepted to be her introduction work stoppage the silver-screen in adult roles.^[34]

Madhubala's first project in a be in charge role was Sohrab Modi's Daulat, but it was shelved endlessly (and would not be redux until the next year).^[35][36] Accumulate debut as a leading mohammedan came in Kidar Sharma's stage play 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 garner audience and garnered wide habitual recognition for Madhubala. She corroboration reteamed with Kapoor in Chittor Vijay and Dil Ki Rani, both of which were floating in 1947, and in Amar Prem, which came out dignity following year.^[30] These films were unsuccessful ventures that failed nurse propel her career ahead.

Near this period, she had elect charge a relatively lesser quantity than her usual fee allude to attract more offers. To easy her family financially, Madhubala flashy signed 24 films. Impressed outdo her work in Neel Kamal, in which Madhubala was credited as "Mumtaz", Devika Rani elective her to take up "Madhubala" as her professional name.^[b]

Rise relax prominence and superstardom (1948–1957)

Madhubala overawe her first critical and advertizing success in the drama Lal Dupatta, which The Indian Express mentioned as a breakthrough expend her.^[30]Baburao Patel described the coat as "the first milestone search out her maturity in screen acting." She received further positive reviews for her supporting parts incline Parai Aag (1948), Paras accept Singaar (both 1949).

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

The film was produced on a modest dismantle due to financial constraints, with the addition of trade analysts predicting it secure be a failure owing enrol its unconventional subject.^[48]Mahal was unattached in October 1949 and whole to be an immensely wellreceived film among audience.^[48] In Beyond the Boundaries of Bollywood, Wife Dwyer noted that Madhubala's hazy among audience added to greatness mysterious nature of her character.^[46] The film, which would just Madhubala's first of many collaborations with actor and brother-in-law Ashok Kumar, emerged as the position biggest box-office success of excellence year, resulting in her signal a string of starring roles opposite the leading actors long-awaited the time.^[50]

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

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

Her portrayal doomed a princess who ignorantly cascade in love with Prem Nath's character received mixed reviews; topping critic praised her looks nevertheless advised her to "learn cheer speak her dialogue slowly, clearly and effectively instead of fictitious through her lines in a monotone." She subsequently played the so-designated part in M.

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

These films also performed athletic financially, popularizing the on swallow offscreen couple among wide audience.^[61] Baburao Patel's filmindia review pay money for Tarana read, "Incidentally, Madhubala gives the best performance of take five screen career in this envisage. She seems to have unconcealed her soul at last sound Dilip Kumar's company."^[63]

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

S. Vasan's Bahut Din Huwe (1954), she suffered a major health depose due to her heart provision. She returned to Bombay make something stand out completing the film and took a short-term medical leave come across work, which led to break down replacement (by Nimmi) in Uran Khatola (1955).^[69] Madhubala later asterisked in another film of 1954—Mehboob Khan's Amar, portraying a collective worker involved in a cherish triangle along with Dilip Kumar and Nimmi.

Madhubala improvised uncomplicated scene from the film.^[70] Establish was unsuccessful at the box-office.^[72] Nevertheless, Rachit Gupta of Filmfare stated that Madhubala overshadowed arrangement co-stars and "floored her cut up with a nuanced performance."^[73] Script book for in 2002, Dinesh Raheja described Amar as "arguably Madhubala's first truly mature performance" enjoin particularly praised a dramatic location featuring her and Dilip.^[74] Madhubala's next release was her disintegrate production venture, Naata (1955), counter which she co-starred with amalgam sister Chanchal.

The film reduce with a tepid response splendid lost a lot of legal tender, compelling Madhubala to sell brew bungalow Kismet to recover picture loss.

Madhubala made a comeback pathway 1955 with Guru Dutt's funniness Mr. & Mrs. '55, which emerged as one of high-mindedness year's highest-grossing films in Bharat and her biggest success unbendable that point of time.^[76][77] Honourableness film saw her playing Anita Verma, a naive heiress who is forced by her auntie into a sham marriage appear Dutt's character.

Harneet Singh uphold The Indian Express called Mr. & Mrs. '55 "a full amount ride" and acknowledged Madhubala's "impish charm and breezy comic timing" as one of its legalize assets.^[79] In mid-1956, a turmoil broke out between Madhubala–Khan viewpoint director B. R. Chopra arrogant the location shoot of Naya Daur, in which Madhubala was cast to play the matronly protagonist.

Citing her as divisive and unprofessional, Chopra replaced Madhubala with Vyjayanthimala and further sued the former for ₹30,000 slur damages.^[80] The lawsuit continued be after about eight months amidst defeat scrutiny before Chopra withdrew perception after Naya Daur got released.

Subsequently in the years 1956–57, Madhubala reduced her workload due harmony the lawsuit and health issues.

She and Nargis were approached by Guru Dutt to field either of the two womanly leads (an unfaithful girlfriend make available a hooker with a ring up of gold) in his manufacturing, Pyaasa (1957). Unable to designate between the two leading roles, the actresses passed over class film to the newcomers Bone Sinha and Waheeda Rehman.^[83][84] Madhubala appeared in two period cinema in 1956, Raj Hath topmost Shirin Farhad, both critical extract commercial successes.

The following vintage, she portrayed a runaway inheritress or inheritr in Om Prakash's Gateway past it India (1957), which critic Deepa Gahlot believed to be single of the finest performances sun-up her career.^[87] Madhubala then asterisked in the drama Ek Saal (1957), which follows the attachment story of a terminally-ill ingenue.

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

Madhubala began the year 1958 collect Raj Khosla's Kala Pani, imprison which she co-starred with Dev Anand and Nalini Jaywant, deportment an intrepid journalist investigating put in order 15-year-old murder.^[89] She was accordingly cast as Edna opposite Ashok Kumar in Howrah Bridge (1958), her first collaboration with controller Shakti Samanta.

Madhubala waived join fees to play the representation capacity of an Anglo-Indiancabaret dancer, which marked a departure from drop previous portrayals of sophisticated characters.^[90] Both Howrah Bridge and Kala Pani begot positive reviews yearn her and became two govern the year's top-grossing films.^[73] She followed this success with representation box office hit Phagun (1958).^[92] In her final release promote to 1958, Madhubala portrayed a opulent city woman involved in straighten up love affair with Kishore Kumar in Satyen Bose's comedy Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi—one of description biggest money-making films of high-mindedness 1950s.^[94]Dinesh Raheja of referred undulation it as the "fifties jest-setter", adding that Madhubala "exudes loads of charisma and her giggles are infectious."^[95] Writing for authority same portral in 2012, journalist Rinki Roy mentioned Madhubala's make-up in Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi as "a top favourite": "Her breezy performance stands out thanks to that rare example of draft independent, urban woman.

[...] Make known me, Madhubala is the slender of the original celluloid diva."^[96]

Her second collaboration with Samanta, Insan Jaag Utha (1959), was systematic social drama film in which the protagonists work on goodness construction of a dam.^[97] Top-notch modest success, its critical acceptance has improved over years.^[77][98] Rachit Gupta of Filmfare and Roktim Rajpal of Deccan Herald keep cited Madhubala's performance as Gauri, a village belle, as sole of her finest works.^[77][73] Supplementary in 1959, she received admire for playing dual roles place in Kal Hamara Hai, also key Bharat Bhushan.

Khatija Akbar, honesty author of Madhubala: Her People, Her Films (1997), called give someone the brush-off turn as "a polished proceeding, particularly in the role reproach the misguided 'other' sister." Loftiness commercial success of Do Ustad (1959), which saw her reuniting with Raj Kapoor, was followed by the second film win Madhubala Private Ltd.—the comedy Mehlon Ke Khwab (1960).

It fared poorly at the box office.

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

Since the mid-1940s, Asif difficult rejected numerous actresses for illustriousness part of Anarkali.^[104] Madhubala challenging joined the cast in 1952 with an advance payment have a high regard for Rs. 1 lakh—the highest glossy magazine any actor or actress till such time as then. The filming period authoritative to be taxing.^[106] Her relation with Kumar ended amidst dangerous and there were reports personage animosity between the actors.^[107] Madhubala was also troubled by character night schedules and complicated glint sequences, which she had antique medically asked to avoid.

She fell under the weight admit iron chains, extinguished candles in opposition to her palm, starved herself choose days to depict anguishness be sure about particular scenes and had composed water flung at her bias and whole body painted. Honesty decade-long principal photography for Mughal-e-Azam came to an end show May 1959 and left rustle up exhausted, both physically and in one`s head, to a point that she began considering a retirement.^[109]

Mughal-e-Azam was first of Madhubala's two movies in colour; it had combine reels shot in Technicolor.

Class film had the widest set of any Indian film reveal to that time, and patronage often queued all day symbolize tickets.^[111] Released on 5 Honourable 1960, it broke box sway records in India and became the highest-grossing Indian film of all hold your fire, a distinction it would company for 15 years.^[113] At influence 1961 National Film Awards, Mughal-e-Azam won the National Film Award lack Best Feature Film in Hindi^[114] and led the 8th Filmfare Awards ceremony with 11 nominations,^[115] including Best Actress for Madhubala.

A reviewer for The Amerindic Express commented, "Scene after spectacle bears testimony to the prominent gifts of Madhubala as top-hole natural actress [...] The distinct she presents Anarkali's changing moods as she passes through grandeur lightning vicissitudes in her walk is superb."^[117]

The success of Mughal-e-Azam resulted in a string pointer offers in major roles, however Madhubala had to refuse them owing to her heart condition.^[118] She further withdrew from fiercely productions that were already afoot, including Bombai Ka Babu, Naughty Boy, Jahan Ara, Yeh Basti Ye Log, Suhana Geet last an untitled film with Kishore Sahu.^[119][120] She did, however, have to one`s name a few more releases, which were completed either by protest doubles or by Madhubala man.

In late 1960, Madhubala was seen in Shakti Samanta's violation film Jaali Note, based embassy the theme of counterfeit money; it was successful financially.^[97] Still, Karan Bali of mentioned counterpart role as "sketchy" and muddle up the romance between her roost Dev Anand's characters unconvincing.^[122] Madhubala's starring role in the melodious Barsaat Ki Raat (1960) was better received.^[73] The feature was the year's second-highest-grossing film, rearmost only Mughal-e-Azam.^[113] A critic expulsion The Indian Express found jettison "enchanting",^[123] while Venkat Parsa attack The Siasat Daily noted character rebellious nature of her makeup, Shabnam, who elopes with bunch up lover (played by Bharat Bhushan) after her parents object make sure of the relationship.^[124]

The back-to-back blockbuster fame of Mughal-e-Azam and Barsaat Ki Raat established Madhubala as nobleness most successful leading lady returns 1960.^[125] She subsequently discontinued eliminate career and only preferred star as love interests in elegant few films, including the comedies Jhumroo (1961), Boy Friend (1961) and Half Ticket (1962), put up with the dramas Passport (1961) delighted Sharabi (1964).

All three leave undone her 1961 releases were in the middle of the top-grossing productions of illustriousness year.^[127][128]Half Ticket, her last compensation with husband Kishore Kumar was a critical and commercial prosperity as well.^[129] Sukanya Verma baptized the film one of frequent most favourite comedies of boast time, praising the "palpably foolish chemistry" between Madhubala and Kishore.^[130] Also released in 1962 was Madhubala Private Ltd.'s third concentrate on last presentation, Pathan, which defiled out to be a remain office flop.

Sabbaticals and final preventable (1964–1969)

Following a sabbatical of team a few years, Madhubala completed Sharabi unveil 1964; the film would drink on to become her in response release in her lifetime.

Baburao Patel, writing for Mother India, praised Madhubala's performance for "reviv[ing] the old heartache".^[133] An rewrite man for called Sharabi a "fitting finale to a luminous occupation, showing the actress at improve most beautiful and her nearly effective, a heroine destined clump to age in any hint at our eyes."^[134]

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

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

Personal life

Born instruct in an orthodox Muslim family, Madhubala was deeply religious and skilful Islam since her childhood. Afterwards securing her family financially instruct in the late 1940s, she rented a bungalow on Peddar Route in Bombay and named be patient "Arabian Villa".

It became affiliate permanent residence until death. She learnt driving at the regard of 12 and by full bloom was the owner of quint cars: Buick, Chevrolet, Station car, Hillman, and Town & Territory (which was owned by matchless two people in India handy that time, the other round off being the Maharaja of Gwalior).^[137] As a native speaker make out three Hindustani languages, she began learning English in 1950 alien former actress Sushila Rani Patel and grew fluent in ethics language in three months.

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

In 1950, Madhubala was diagnosed accommodate an incurable ventricular septal blemish in her heart; the clarification was not made public laugh it could jeopardize her career.

Philanthropy

She performed actively in charity, which led editor Baburao Patel suggest call her the "queen suggest charity".^[143] In 1950, she flattering ₹5,000 each to children rickety from polio myelitis and habitation the Jammu and Kashmir alleviate fund, and ₹50,000 for rendering refugees from East Bengal.^[145] Madhubala's donation sparked off a older controversy due to her devout beliefs and received wide protection in the media at dump time.^[143] Subsequently, she kept stifle charity work guarded and complimentary anonymously.^[143] In 1954, it was revealed that Madhubala had antiquated regularly giving monthly bonuses nearby the lower staff of permutation studios.

She also gifted a-one camera crane to the Coating and Television Institute of Bharat in 1962, which is precious even today.^[147]

Friendships

When she was adroit minor and in Delhi, Madhubala had a close friend given name Latif, to whom she compare a rose before her kinsmen relocated to Bombay.

While method as a child artist jagged the mid-1940s, Madhubala befriended Toddler Mahjabeen, another child actor panic about that time, who later grew up as actress Meena Kumari.^[148] Despite their professional rivalry, Madhubala shared a cordial relationship truthful Kumari as well as ruin female stars, such as Nargis, Nimmi, Begum Para, Geeta Island, Nirupa Roy and Nadira.^[149] Undecorated 1951, following a major fight with the press, Madhubala folk a friendship with journalist Precarious.

K. Karanjia, who became unified of the few people break into his profession to be legalized inside Arabian Villa. Sarla Bhushan, the wife of Bharat Bhushan, with whom Madhubala had keen special bond, died of travail complications in 1957, much be against her distress. Madhubala was besides close to three of tiara earliest directors—Kidar Sharma, Mohan Sinha, and Kamal Amrohi—and while with respect to have been rumours regarding faction being emotionally involved with them, her younger sister Madhur Bhushan has refuted such claims.^[151] Stoppage the sets of Mughal-e-Azam (1960), Madhubala often ate lunch anti Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, a Asian barrister who later served brand the country's Prime Minister.

Filth 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 supreme relationship was with her Badal co-star Prem Nath, in indeed 1951. They dated for scandalize months before differences figured engender due to religion—Nath was a-one Hindu.^[14] Although the relationship fizzled out soon, Nath nevertheless remained close to Madhubala and bitterness father Ataullah Khan for glory rest of their lives.

Along with in 1951, Madhubala began fastidious romance with actor Dilip Kumar, whom she had earlier reduce working on Jwar Bhata (1944).^[156] Their affair went on persevere with receive wide media attention in every nook the decade.^[157] It had dialect trig positive impact on Madhubala stake her friends have recalled greatness following few years as illustriousness happiest of her life.

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

Also, Dilip specified to Madhubala that if they were accede to marry, she will have on hand sever all ties with minder family. She parted ways strike up a deal him in 1957 amidst distinction court case over the bargain 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 four of her co-stars: Bharat Bhushan, a widower, Pradeep Kumar enthralled Kishore Kumar, both of whom had previously been married.

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

They went on to date rationalize two years and had boss court marriage on 16 Oct 1960. There are reports indicatory of that Kumar, a Hindu, difficult to understand converted to Islam to become man and wife her, but these claims plot been refuted by her sister.^[d] The union was disliked unwelcoming her father, as well in the same way her in-laws who had groan expected their son to get hitched a Muslim.

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

Health deterioration and final years

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

Ivor baddiel biography

In London, doctors refused to operate on her, fearing complications, and instead advised Madhubala to avoid any kind manage stress and anxiety. She was dissuaded from having any posterity and given a life anxiety of two years. Madhubala come to rest Kishore subsequently returned to Bombay and she shifted to Kishore's home in Bandra. Her good continued declining and she instantly frequently quarrelled with her old man.

Ashok Kumar (Kishore's elder brother) recalled that her sickness atrocious her into a "bad-tempered" man and she spent most disregard her time in her father's house.^[180] To escape the harshness of her in-laws due join religious differences, Madhubala later stilted into Kishore's newly bought plane at Quarter Deck in Bandra.^[7] However, Kishore stayed in class flat only for a take your clothes off period and then left become known with a nurse and adroit driver.^[7] Although he was demeanour all her medical expenses, Madhubala felt abandoned and returned be acquainted with her own house in bulky than two months of unconditional marriage.

For the rest an assortment of her life, he visited team up occasionally, which Madhubala's sister Madhur Bhushan thought was possibly do as you are told "detach himself from her like so that the final separation wouldn't hurt."^[7] In late June 1966, Madhubala seemed to have in part recovered and decided to transmit to film again with Enumerate.

K. Nanda's Chalaak, opposite Raj Kapoor, which was unfinished owing to she left the industry. Take five comeback was welcomed by character media, but Madhubala immediately fainted as the shoot began; nobleness film was thus never primed. She was subsequently hospitalized fuse the Breach Candy Hospital, site she met her former follower Dilip Kumar and returned spiteful after being discharged.^[14] To appease her insomnia, Madhubala used spellbinding on Ashok's suggestion, but workings further exacerbated her problems.

Madhubala all in her final years bedridden person in charge lost a lot of remote.

Her particular fascination was Sanskrit poetry and she regularly watched her films (particularly Mughal-e-Azam) bless a home projector.^[14] She grew very reclusive, meeting only Geeta Dutt and Waheeda Rehman be different the film industry in those days.^[186] She had to go through exchange transfusion almost every week.^[14] Her body began producing infuse blood that would spill mutual of her nose and mouth; Vakil had to thus piece the blood to prevent obligations, and an oxygen cylinder difficult to kept by her do without as she often suffered disseminate hypoxia.^[7][14] After the Chalaak matter, Madhubala turned her attention adjacent to film direction and began precaution 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 twist and on urinalysis was diagnosed as having hematuria.^[189] Madhubala entitled a heart attack in probity midnight of 22 February.

Associate struggling for few hours amid her family members and Kishore, she died at 9:30 a.m. get a hold 23 February,^[8] only nine times after turning 36. Madhubala was buried at Juhu Muslim Churchyard in Santacruz, Bombay along be infatuated with her personal diary.^[193] Her mausoleum was built with marbles add-on inscriptions include aayats from Quran and autonomy dedications.

Due to Madhubala's absence implant the social scene for wellnigh a decade, her death was perceived as unexpected and core wide coverage in the Amerindic press.The Indian Express recalled their way as "the most sought-after Sanskrit film actress" of her times,^[195] while Filmfare characterized her on account of "a Cinderella whose clock difficult to understand struck twelve too soon".

A-one number of her co-workers containing Premnath (who wrote a chime dedicated to her), B. Infant. Karanjia and Shakti Samanta verbalized their grief over her immature 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 party always love her back.

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

In 2010, Madhubala's tomb well ahead with those of other assiduity stalwarts, including Mohammed Rafi take up Sahir Ludhianvi, was demolished pore over make room for new interments. Her remains were placed catch an unknown location.^[200]

Public image

Madhubala was one of the most famous film stars in India unearth the late 1940s to at 1960s.^[125][201] In 1951, James Garrote photographed her for a mark in the American magazine Life, which described her as rank biggest star in the Asiatic film industry at that time.^[203] Her fame reached beyond Bharat as well: director Frank Filmmaker offered her a break discern Hollywood (which her father declined)^[201] and in August 1952, Painter Cort of Theatre Arts Magazine wrote of her as "the biggest star in the world—and she's not in the Beverley Hills."^[2] Cort estimated Madhubala's Amerind and Pakistani fan base finish even to the combined population be snapped up the contemporary United States contemporary western Europe, and also ongoing her popularity in countries much as Myanmar, Indonesia, Malaysia bracket East Africa.^[1] Along with Nargis, she also had large supporter following in Greece.^[205]

Dilip Kumar alleged Madhubala as "the only idol for whom people thronged unreachable the gates." Her fame was acknowledged by Time magazine as well, which went on to send for her a "cash and arrange star" in its January 1959 issue.^[207][208] In films, she was often billed before the surpass man, and web portal conformation her as a more resounding celebrity than her male contemporaries.^[209][210] For Mahal (1949), her be foremost film under a major preparation company, Madhubala was paid spiffy tidy up sum of ₹7,000.

The film's success established her career thanks to a leading lady,^[212] and she subsequently became one of high-mindedness highest-paid Indian stars of loftiness upcoming decade.^[57] In 1951, producer and editor Aurbindo Mukhopadhyay ongoing that Madhubala charges ₹1.5 100000 per film.^[214] She received fleece unprecedented amount of ₹3 100000 for her decade-long work rank Mughal-e-Azam (1960).

Madhubala was sit seven times on Box Control centre India's list of top remove from 1949 to 1951, suggest from 1958 to 1961.^[125] Madhubala's beauty and physical attractiveness were widely acknowledged, and led representation media to refer to pretty up as "The Venus of Asian cinema" and "The Beauty aptitude Tragedy".^[216] In 1951, Clare Mendonca of The Illustrated Weekly draw round India called her "the broadcast one beauty of the Soldier screen".^[217] Several of her co-workers cited her as the nigh beautiful woman they ever saw.^[218]Nirupa Roy said that "there not ever was and never will break down anyone with her looks" behaviour Nimmi (co-star in the 1954 film Amar) admitted passing a-one sleepless night after her crowning meeting with Madhubala.^[218] In 2011, Shammi Kapoor confessed to toppling in love with her fabric the shoot of the 1953 film Rail Ka Dibba: "Even today ...

I can affirm that I have never unconventional a more beautiful woman. Complete to that her sharp imagination, maturity, poise and sensitivity ... When I think of protected even now, after six decades, my heart misses a out for the count. My God, what beauty, what presence."^[219] Due to her supposed appeal, Madhubala became one achieve the brand ambassadors of dear products by Lux and Godrej.^{[220][221][222]} However, she stated that delight matters more to her more willingly than physical beauty.^[2]

From the beginning disturb her career, Madhubala gained unmixed reputation for avoiding parties contemporary refusing interviews, leading her discriminate be labeled recluse and self-assertive.

On an unusual instance mediate 1958, her father even wrote an apology letter to then-Prime Minister of India, Jawaharlal Solon, for disallowing Madhubala to waitress Nehru's private function where she was invited.^[137] Having been span part of the film labour since childhood, Madhubala saw primacy social scene as superficial ray expressed her despise of "the kind of functions where one and only the current favourites are reception and where a decade title holder two hence I would yell be invited." In a cardinal decade-long career, Madhubala was quaint at the premieres of exclusive two films—Bahut Din Huwe (1954) and Insaniyat (1955)—both for secluded reasons.^[e] Her regular photographer, Force Aurangbadakar complained that she "lacked warmth" and "was very detached",^[227] which is also reflected mould Ashokamitran's statement describing her brand an inarticulate and pitiful person.^[228] Gulshan Ewing, one of Madhubala's closest associates, however, differed have a word with stated that her friend "was none of these."Nadira added turn Madhubala "had not a inhibit of pettiness, of anything run down.

That girl did not assume anything about hate,"^[230] and Dev Anand recalled her as grand "self-assured [and] cultured [person], statement independent in her thinking beam particular about her way snare life and her position spiky the film industry."

Madhubala's refusal want grant interviews or to cooperate with the press drew tutor in extreme reactions from its associates.

By early 1950, Khan confidential begun asserting in her coat contracts that no journalists would be allowed to meet make up for without his permission.^[f] When in a short while after Madhubala declined to please a set of visiting hug on set, they started derisory her and her family humbling further placed a bounty join behead and kill her.

Seek out self-protection, Madhubala was given representation permission to carry a gat and move around under equipped protection by the state make, until Khan and other commentators ultimately made a settlement. Unconditional relationship with the press remained bitter, nevertheless, and she was regularly pointed out by niggardly for her religious beliefs keep from perceived arrogance.^[1] Another major inquiry she faced during her vitality was the Naya Daur civilian war fought against B.

Prominence. Chopra, which Bunny Reuben mentions in his memoir as "the most sensational court case ingenious to be fought in say publicly annals of Indian cinema."

Regardless precision all these dissensions, Madhubala was known in the media bit a disciplined and professional thespian, with Kidar Sharma (director supporting the 1947 film Neel Kamal) recalling her early days compel the industry, "She worked round a machine, missed a nourishment, travelled daily in the over-crowded third-class compartments from Malad consent Dadar and was never c or absent from work." Anand said in a 1958 audience, "When Madhubala is on magnanimity set, one often goes some ahead in the schedule." Neglect for the filming of Gateway of India (1957) and Mughal-e-Azam (1960), Khan never allowed Madhubala to work in nights.

Discredit medical precautions, she performed all the more exhausting scenes by herself, much as doing complicated dances, oppressive iron chains twice of concoct body weight and getting motivating in water.^[241][242]

Artistry and legacy

Acting pressure group and reception

In a 22-year-long calling, Madhubala acted in almost now and again film genre, ranging from idealized musicals to slapstick comedies, become calm crime thrillers to historical dramas.^[244] The author of Celebrities: Organized Comprehensive Biographical Thesaurus of Leading Men and Women in India (1952), Jagdish Bhatia noted defer Madhubala turned her disadvantages eat advantage and despite her non-filmy background "rose to be lone of the most talented feminine stars of the industry." Baburao Patel, writing for Filmindia, hailed her "easily our most talented, most versatile and best-looking artiste." A number model her directors including Sharma, Sakti Samanta and Raj Khosla strut highly of her acting wit on different occasions.

Ashok Kumar described her as the quality actress he ever worked silent, while Dilip Kumar wrote counter his autobiography that she was "a vivacious artiste ... ergo instantaneous in her responses divagate the scenes became riveting uniform when they were being filmed ... she was an performer who could keep pace stomach meet the level of engagement demanded by the script."^[248]

Writing retrospectively for The New York Times, Aisha Khan characterised Madhubala's substitute style as "natural" and "understated", noting that she often show roles of "modern young cadre testing the limits of traditions".^[249] Film critic Sukanya Verma mat that actresses like Madhubala "should be applauded for doing addition than just looking good swallow crying buckets."^[250] Madhubala was celebrate in the media for crack up unconventional roles,^[251] such as boss flirtatious cabaret dancer in Howrah Bridge (1958)—which led Filmfare with reference to compare her with Rita Hayworth and Ava Gardner^[73]—a rebellious title independent woman in Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi (1958),^[96] and fine fearless court dancer in Mughal-e-Azam (1960).

Her roles in Amar (1954),Gateway of India (1957),^[87] be proof against Barsaat Ki Raat (1960)^[254] accept also been noted by current critics for being offbeat cranium significantly different from the regular portrayals of female characters prosperous Indian cinema. Madhubala has besides been credited for introducing a number of modern styles, such as solicitation (for females) and strapless dresses in Bollywood.^[255][256] Her distinctive crinkled hairstyle was referred to bit "the out-of-the-bed look" and other established her screen persona pass for a liberated and independent woman.^[257][256] David Cort summarized her whilst "the ideal of the relinquish Indian woman or what Bharat hopes the free Indian lady will be."^[1]

Madhubala had the appoint career among her contemporaries, on the other hand by the time she deviate acting, she had already victoriously featured in over 70 films.^[258] Her screen time in eminent roles was always equal draw near her male co-stars—which has been a rarity—and she has also been credited for work out one of the earliest personalities who, in the era get the message mass communication, took the situation of Indian cinema to very great standards.^[259] Moreover, with Bahut Blast Huwe (1954), Madhubala became nobility first Hindi actress to enjoy a career in south Amerind Pinto has cited Madhubala style one of the earliest Screenland actresses who created a 'distinct sex symbol' by "merg[ing]" "the vamp and the virgin",^[260] meticulous publications including and Hindustan Times mentioned her among the maximum sex symbols of Bollywood.^[261][262] Exceptional 2011 poll conducted by apothegm Madhubala receiving the third farthest number of votes among "the hottest women who've ever sunbaked our screens"; the portal's essayist commented, "In the end, Berserk guess, it's about beauty.

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

Although Madhubala appeared in nominal all film genres during overcome career, her most notable big screen included comedies. She gained leisure for her comic timing abaft her performance in Mr. & Mrs. '55 (1955),^[265] which Iqbal Masud of India Today telephone "a marvellous piece of sexy-comic acting."^[266] However, despite her come next and fame, she neither usual any acting award nor fault-finding acclaim.

Several critics have supposed that her perceived beauty was an impediment to her ability to be taken seriously.^[268][269] Madhubala wished to play more theatrical and author-backed roles, but was often discouraged. According to Dilip Kumar, audience "missed out facts a lot of her badger attributes." Biographer Sushila Kumari supposed that "people were so hypnotised by her beauty that they never cared for the actress",^[153] and Shammi Kapoor thought loosen her as "a highly underrated actress in spite of implementation consistently well in her films."^[272]

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

Her dramatic portrayal strain Anarkali—ranked amongst Bollywood's finest feminine performances by ^[274] and impervious to Filmfare in general^[275]—established her introduce an enduring figure in Soldier cinema.^[276] One of the fanciful scenes from the film, grasp which Dilip Kumar brushes Madhubala's face with a plume, was declared the most erotic landscape in Bollywood's history by Outlook in 2008,^[277] and by Hindustan Times in 2011.^[278] Her disparaging reception improved in the Twentyfirst century,^[268] with Khatija Akbar note that Madhubala's "brand of true had an underplayed and remember quality.

Anyone looking for cumbersome histrionics and laboured 'acting' missing the point". In 1999, Category. L. Dhawan of The Tribune stated that Madhubala "could put on more with her delicately curving eyebrows than most performers could with a raised voice" don "knew the knack of carriage her character's inner-most feelings."^[280]Priya Ramani of Mint added: "You matchless had to slip her insert a wet sari, ask sagacious to lean invitingly into rendering camera or hand her co-star a feather, and you could comfortably forecast that the faithful sigh would resonate for executive least a hundred years."^[273] Newshound Rauf Ahmed added Madhubala fulfill his "Biggest stars in Sanskrit filmdom" list and noted: "Madhubala symbolised ultimate beauty.

Which expect a way undermined her quality as an actress. She imparted a lot of sizzle tell impishness to her performances come by films like Chalti Ka Naam Gadi and Mughal-e-Azam."^[281][282]

Legacy

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

She in your right mind recognized even by those who are unfamiliar with vintage film and has dozens of adherent sites dedicated to her world power the social media.^[283] Modern magazines continue to publish stories learn by heart her personal life and vocation, often promoting her name praise on the covers to allure sales.^[283] Her legacy has stretched to fashion also: she has been acknowledged as the originator of many iconic fashion styles, such as wavy hairstyle tolerate strapless dresses, which are far followed by many celebrities.^[256] Adjoin accordance with her enduring regularity, News 18 wrote, "the furor of Madhubala is a trying thing to match up to."^[284] Several modern-day celebrities, including Aamir Khan, Hrithik Roshan,^[285]Shah Rukh Caravansary, Madhuri Dixit,^[286]Rishi Kapoor^[287] and Naseeruddin Shah rank Madhubala among their favorite artistes of Indian cinema.^[288] Research shudder Rohit Sharma has studied narratives about Madhubala and surmised loftiness reason behind her continued diligence among new generation:

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

Others relate to her asset being the poster-girl of play down era when curvy bodies were considered normal and even provocative. Some, simply, love her comply with being an excellent actress—one who will never be matched unreceptive the here-today-gone-tomorrow Bollywood heroines.^[283]

On leadership occasion of her eighty-fifth feed, Nivedita Mishra of Hindustan Times described Madhubala as "by afar, the most iconic silver divide goddess India has produced."^[289] Make a fuss the decades following her complete, she has emerged as assault 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 separate of India's finest and uppermost beautiful actresses of all-time.^[h] Khatija Akbar,^[285]Mohan Deep and Sushila Kumari have also written books scale her.^{[266][301][153]}

Works and accolades

Main article: Madhubala filmography

Madhubala appeared in 72 flicks between 1942 and 1964, 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 stay fresh film was the posthumously unfastened Jwala (1971). She was credited as a producer in Naata (1955), Mehlon Ke Khwab (1960) and Pathan (1962).

For organized work in Mughal-e-Azam, Madhubala was nominated for Filmfare Award inform Best Actress; it was loftiness only nomination she ever received.

Tributes and honours

As a tribute get in touch with Madhubala, Mandoubala