Shashi Kapoor refused to work with me because he thought of me as ‘Dara Singh ki heroine': Mumtaz
Veteran actor Mumtaz, known for her roles in films like Brahmachari (1968), Apradh (1972) and Roop Tera Mastana (1972), has often talked about the supposed dark side of Bollywood. She has shared anecdotes about her failed relationships, lobbying in the industry, and even her rivalries. In a recent interview, she talked about her relationship and experience with the Kapoor family, including Shammi Kapoor, Raj Kapoor and Shashi Kapoor.
In a conversation with Vickey Lalwani on his podcast, Mumtaz talked about how people in the industry typecast her, and, in some cases, refused to work with her. 'Everybody refused to work with me and called me 'Dara Singh ki heroine'. When Shashi refused to work with me in Sachaa Jhutha, the producer asked him to leave the project, as he had worked with me before in the Dara Singh film Faulad. Then Kaka (Rajesh Khanna) stepped in and did the film with me.' Mumtaz has previously talked about working with Dara Singh in several movies and how that impacted her career.
Talking about Shashi's change of heart, which led to them working together in Chor Machaaye Shor (1974), she said, 'Why only Shashi bechara? The whole industry had refused to work with me, and they all did it anyway. I don't want to name them, but they know who they are.'
In the same interview she also talked about almost marrying actor Shammi Kapoor, and Raj Kapoor refused to let it happen. She called Shammi 'a very good-looking man' and admitted that she always liked him and wanted to marry him. 'Raj Kapoor was very strict in those days. There was a rule till he was alive that ghar ki bahu kaam nahi karegi. It was as straightforward as that,' added the actor. She also mentioned that she lost a role in Mera Naam Joker because of his reservations about the clothes she would be required to wear in the film.
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