Latest news with #BandheHaath
News18
18 hours ago
- Entertainment
- News18
Mumtaz Wonders Why 'Very Wealthy' Amitabh Bachchan Became An Actor: 'They Had A Bungalow'
Last Updated: Mumtaz says Amitabh Bachchan had a privileged life and questions his struggler image. Amitabh Bachchan is often hailed as the symbol of grit in Bollywood — a man who rose from rejection to reign as the industry's biggest star. But veteran actress Mumtaz recently shared a contrasting view, suggesting that his early life was far from the image of hardship that fans usually associate with him. Speaking to Radio Nasha, Mumtaz said she didn't see real struggle in Amitabh's beginnings and compared their vastly different upbringings. 'See, I had to drop out of school in fourth grade, and I started working as an extra in films. I was 7 years old and we used to get Rs 500 for a role, out of which Rs 100 I had to give to person who got us the job, and the rest I used to give to my mother. On the other hand, Amitabh ji was a highly educated and classy person. His father was a known figure, and they had a bungalow and a nice life, so I don't understand why he needed to become an actor," she said. The two actors worked together only once — in the 1973 film Bandhe Haath, directed by OP Goyle. While the film may not be remembered as a major hit, it marked a rare collaboration between two celebrated names. Mumtaz recalled her time working with him fondly. 'He was very wealthy, well known and educated. He wanted to work; I said yes, and we made that film. I was very happy to work with him; he is a very nice person. He has a certain class, and I wish I could have done more films with him so that I could have learnt more from him." Interestingly, Bandhe Haath released the same year as Zanjeer, the film that transformed Bachchan into a national sensation and redefined the hero archetype in Indian cinema. From there, he delivered iconic performances in films like Sholay, Deewaar, and Amar Akbar Anthony. Mumtaz was one of the most popular actresses of the 1960s and 70s, known for her expressive performances and effortless screen presence. She starred in numerous box office hits like Do Raaste, Brahmachari, and Roti, and was celebrated for her on-screen chemistry with Rajesh Khanna. First Published: June 15, 2025, 09:36 IST
Time of India
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Mumtaz reflects on her first and only film with Amitabh Bachchan, says ‘he came from a wealthy family'- Read more
Bollywood icon Amitabh Bachchan is often seen as the man who went from nothing to everything—a struggler who made it big with sheer hard work. But actress Mumtaz , who starred with him in just one film, has a different opinion. In a recent interview with Radio Nasha, Mumtaz shared that she didn't see any real struggle in Amitabh's early days. 'See, I had to drop out of school in fourth grade, and I started working as an extra in films. I was 7 years old and we used to get Rs 500 for a role, out of which Rs 100 I had to give to person who got us the job, and the rest I used to give to my mother. On the other hand, Amitabh ji was a highly educated and classy person. His father was a known figure, and they had a bungalow and a nice life, so I don't understand why he needed to become an actor,' she said. ' Bandhe Haath ' – their one and only film Mumtaz worked with Amitabh Bachchan in the 1973 film 'Bandhe Haath', directed by OP Goyle. It was the only time the two actors appeared on screen together. Though the film isn't widely remembered today, it holds a special place for Mumtaz as it gave her the chance to work with someone she admired. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Trade Bitcoin & Ethereum – No Wallet Needed! IC Markets Start Now Undo The 'Brahmachari' actress said, 'He was very wealthy, well known and educated. He wanted to work; I said yes, and we made that film. I was very happy to work with him; he is a very nice person. He has a certain class, and I wish I could have done more films with him so that I could have learnt more from him. The year Big B rose to fame Interestingly, 'Bandhe Haath' came out in the same year as Amitabh Bachchan's big break—'Zanjeer'. That film made him a star overnight and earned him the 'angry young man' title. From then on, he went on to give back-to-back hits like 'Sholay' (1975), 'Deewaar' (1975), 'Amar Akbar Anthony' (1977), and 'Don' (1978). While 'Bandhe Haath' didn't reach the same level of fame, it remains a unique moment where Mumtaz and Amitabh Bachchan came together for the first—and only—time. Amitabh Bachchan's Sunday Tradition Continues with a Thoughtful Twist
Indian Express
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
‘Amitabh Bachchan came from wealthy family, he had no reason to work': Mumtaz reflects on her sole film with Big B
Actor Amitabh Bachchan had an aura about him before he even set foot on a film set. Son of renowned poet Harivansh Rai Bachchan, he had big shoes to fill. But he was determined to make it on his own. From working as a radio jockey and sleeping on a Marine Drive bench among rats, Bachchan became the biggest name in Bollywood, with a rather impressive rags-to-riches story. However, his one-time co-star Mumtaz shared in a recent interview that she does not believe in the first part. Mumtaz told Radio Nasha that the 'angry young man' never needed to struggle in the first place, as his father was a well-known poet, and he himself was a well-read man. She said, 'See, I had to drop out of school in fourth grade, and I started working as an extra in films. I was 7 years old and we used to get Rs 500 for a role, out of which Rs 100 I had to give to person who got us the job, and the rest I used to give to my mother. On the other hand, Amitabh ji was a highly educated and classy person. His father was a known figure, and they had a bungalow and a nice life, so I don't understand why he needed to become an actor,' he said. ALSO READ: Mumtaz breaks down as she remembers Shammi Kapoor's last days: 'He said he doesn't have long to live and…' The duo worked together in the 1973 film Bandhe Haath directed by OP Goyle. Talking about her experience working with him, Mumtaz again pointed out that even though he didn't need the acting gig, she enjoyed working with him. 'He was very wealthy, well known and educated. He wanted to work; I said yes, and we made that film. I was very happy to work with him; he is a very nice person. He has a certain class, and I wish I could have done more films with him so that I could have learnt more from him.' In the same year of Bandhe Haath's release, Amitabh starred in Zanjeer, a role that would make him an overnight sensation. The actor would go on to star in iconic films like Sholay (1975), Deewaar (1975), Amar Akbar Anthony (1977), and Don (1978), among many others. Mumtaz would go on to quit acting four years after Bandhe Haath as she got married to businessman Mayur Madhavani. She made a return to Bollywood for Aandhiyan (1990), only to leave the industry again.
Indian Express
31-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
The director who launched Dharmendra, Kabir Bedi and Zeenat Aman died broke: ‘Not in good shape financially or physically'
The Hindi film industry is known for celebrating its heroes, but more often than not, yesteryear stars are forgotten as time moves on. Otherwise, how can one explain that the man who was instrumental in launching the career of Dharmendra, Kabir Bedi, Zeenat Aman, and placing his faith in Amitabh Bachchan, way before he became a star, is now forgotten by the masses. Filmmaker-actor OP Ralhan started his career as an actor but soon moved on to making movies like Phool Aur Patthar and Gehra Daag. But, despite all the success that he enjoyed in his heyday, he went through financial hardships towards the end of his life, before he passed away in 1999. In 2022, a intersection in Mumbai's Bandra was renamed after OP Ralhan, and Dharmendra and Zeenat were present for its inauguration. OP Ralhan biggest hit was the 1966 film Phool Aur Patthar, which was also the first big hit for Dharmendra. In an earlier chat with Subhash K Jha, Dharmendra had shared that it was because if his shirtless scene in Phool Aur Patthar that he gained the moniker 'He-Man of Bollywood'. 'Phool Aur Patthar was a golden jubilee hit. Suddenly I was being offered films by every leading banner. Many of them wanted me to take off my shirt,' he said. Unlike Dharmendra, Amitabh Bachchan did not find his first blockbuster with OP Ralhan, but he was an instrumental figure in Bachchan's career. They worked together in the 1973 film Bandhe Hath and it was probably on this set that Bachchan learnt a lesson that served him for life. In those days, actors like Rajesh Khanna and Shatrughan Sinha were notorious for arriving late to work, which discouraged many filmmakers from signing them. Bachchan was known for being punctual but he probably learnt that lesson from Ralhan as the filmmaker once 'screamed, reprimanded' him in front of everyone, and canceled the shoot because he arrived 30 minutes late. 'Landed up half an hour late for the shoot at RK Studios for 'Bandhe Haath' .. OP Ralhan the director screamed reprimanded me and shut shop .. shoot cancelled and announced in the open to many listening on .. embarrassed beyond .. early lessons learnt,' Bachchan once shared in his blog. ALSO READ | Mumtaz swears by one diet rule Akshay Kumar taught her, follows it everyday to keep fit at 77: 'He told me not to eat after…' Zeenat Aman, who became a star after Dev Anand's Hare Rama Hare Krishna, was launched by OP Ralhan in his film Hulchul. And he was also the one who first facilitated her meeting with Dev Anand. In fact, at the inauguration of OP Ralhan Chowk in 2022, Zeenat shared that she received a 'generous pay cheque' from his production house many years after his death as this was the money that was owed to her by his production house. 'Many years after Ralhan saab passed away, Rupali (his daughter) was checking all the accounts and one day, I received this generous cheque from her. I asked, 'what happened?' She said, 'this is owed to your from our productions',' she shared. However, Kabir Bedi, who was also launched in the same film as Zeenat, revealed in a recent chat with Filmfare that Ralhan was going though financial hardships towards the end of his life. Kabir shared some find memories that he shared with Ralhan and recalled that Ralhan refused to share the script with him when he cast him as an actor. He laughed and recalled, 'Arre, mujhe story puchega? Sharm nahi aati? Mane Dharmendra ko star banaya hai. Phool Aur Patthar dekhi hai? Mujhse story maangega? Sign kar. (You will ask me for a story? Don't you have any shame? I turned Dharmendra into a star. Have you seen Phool Aur Patthar? Just sign).' Kabir shared that he thought he was the hero of the film and added, 'He did the same thing with Zeenat. She thought she was the heroine and she signed. Turns out we were both not the leads. OP Ralhan was the hero himself, paired opposite Helen,' he recalled with a laugh. 'Ralhan was a man of great heart. He used to yell on set 'Oye kabootar, idhar aa'. I felt very bad to know that his last days he was not in good shape financially or physically,' Kabir shared. OP Ralhan died in 1999 at 74.
