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Time of India
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
She was the highest-paid actress in Bollywood, Rajesh Khanna's ‘right hand', left it all at 28: ‘His family said I couldn't work…'
Leaving a Flourishing Career Behind Accepting the Reality of an Actress's Career Span Adapting to a New Life and Traditions Facing Turmoil Within Her Marriage Coping with Betrayal and a Momentary Escape A Brief Return to the Screen and Final Goodbye She was at the top of her career, with box-office hits such as 'Aap Ki Kasam,' 'Khilona,' 'Do Raaste,' 'Roti,' etc. to her kitty, charging as high as Rs 7.5 lakh per film. Yet Mumtaz didn't think twice, when she bid adieu to Bollywood and decided to focus on home and hearth after she tied the knot with Ugandan businessman Mayur Madhvani. In an old interview with ETimes, the actress explained why she took such a drastic decision to step away from a thriving said there was a pragmatic reason why she made the decision to marry at the peak of her career. She firmly believed that there's a right time for every woman to settle down, and when her moment arrived, she embraced it. Looking back at her contemporaries who remained single, she acknowledged that her path was different. Having found a partner who truly cared for her, she made the decision to leave the film industry behind. At that point, she had grown weary of the demands and chaos of the film world and felt ready for a quieter chapter in life.'I found a good man who loved me, so I chucked it all. I was fed up with films,' she told frequent on-screen collaborator, Rajesh Khanna, with whom she delivered multiple blockbusters, mourned the loss of his number one leading a chat with Pinkvilla, she said that when news of her retirement broke out, Rajesh Khanna lamented, 'I lost my right hand!' She added, 'Kaka was too proud a man to say it to my face.'Incidentally, each of their films struck gold at the box-office. 'None of my films with Kaka flopped (from Do Raaste to Prem Kahani between 1969-1975). We didn't give a single dud. Shayad hamare sitare milte the (Maybe our stars aligned). We were lucky for each other,' she the peak of her career, Mumtaz was the highest-paid actress in the industry. Yet, when her future in-laws expressed their disapproval of her continuing to act, she gave it all up. The Madhvani family made it clear that acting would not be part of her future, and she complied with their wishes. At the young age of 28, while commanding a fee of Rs. 7.5 lakh per film—a sum few others could claim—she walked away from the glamour of cinema. It was a monumental decision, but one she took willingly in favor of building a family life.'At the time of my marriage, the Madhvani family said that I couldn't continue working. So I quit my job and got married at a time when I was the highest-paid actress…' she family, particularly her parents, supported her choice and helped her see the realities of the profession. They reminded her that actresses often have a limited shelf life in the industry, and as age sets in, roles become scarce or stereotypical—often limited to playing a mother or aunt. Unlike families who press their daughters to keep working for financial reasons, hers allowed her to leave when she chose to, despite her enormous earnings. She valued their understanding and unselfishness part of a conservative Gujarati household came with its own set of changes. Mumtaz had to learn to adjust to new customs and take on domestic responsibilities. She taught herself to prepare traditional dishes like dal-dhokli, khandvi, and undhiyu, and gradually became an accomplished home cook. However, her journey into motherhood wasn't smooth. Before welcoming her daughter Natasha, she endured multiple miscarriages. One pregnancy was so difficult that she spent half a year confined to bed. These struggles made her role as a mother all the more the sacrifices, Mumtaz's married life wasn't free from challenges. At one point, her husband's involvement with another woman shook the foundation of their relationship. Though deeply hurt, she chose to remain committed. She believed a single lapse shouldn't destroy a lifelong bond. She defended her husband, acknowledging that while he was handsome and made a mistake, it didn't define their relationship. Instead of abandoning him, she decided to stand by him.'I was not going to give up a marriage because of a stray incident. My husband is not a flirt; he's a good-looking man. He made a mistake. Rather than dumping him, I chose to be by his side,' she the interview with Pinkvilla, she said, 'It's quite common for men to have affairs discreetly; at least he only had one…'In another candid moment, Mumtaz reflected on how her husband had openly admitted to being fond of someone in the United States, though he assured her that he would never abandon their marriage. She appreciated his honesty. Still, the betrayal left her emotionally wounded. In response to her loneliness, she returned to India for a while and, during that vulnerable period, found temporary companionship in another man. It wasn't a lasting connection, just a brief emotional detour that soon after stepping away, Mumtaz attempted a return to acting with the 1990 film Aandhiyan. However, the film didn't perform well commercially. The disappointing reception led her to retire from films permanently, closing the chapter on a celebrated yet voluntarily abbreviated acting career.
Economic Times
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Economic Times
Shammi Kapoor proposed to her at 17, but one Kapoor family rule ended their love story. The Bollywood heartthrob's romantic ‘nightmare'
Synopsis During the filming of Brahmachari in 1968, a tender relationship blossomed between Shammi Kapoor and Mumtaz. Kapoor, a widower, proposed to the young actress, but she declined due to his demand that she give up her burgeoning career. Mumtaz, supporting her family, chose her professional path, leaving a lasting emotional impact on both despite their eventual separate lives. Agencies Shammi Kapoor and Mumtaz shared a deep connection during Brahmachari filming. Kapoor proposed marriage, but Mumtaz declined. Long before paparazzi and Instagram romance confirmations, Bollywood's silver screen was home to love stories that rarely made it past studio lots. One such tale — tender yet tinged with heartbreak — unfolded between superstar Shammi Kapoor and a young rising actress, Mumtaz, during the filming of the 1968 classic Brahmachari . Rumours swirled for years about their alleged affair, but it was only later, that both stars spoke candidly about the relationship that 'was not a love affair, it was much more,' in Mumtaz's own words. In an interview archived by Rediff , Mumtaz disclosed that Kapoor had proposed marriage when she was just 17. While deeply in love, she turned him down — not because she didn't feel the same, but because of a difficult demand: Kapoor had asked her to quit acting. 'He wanted me to give up my career when I was just 17,' she said. 'Unfortunately, womenfolk in the Kapoor family did not work during those days.' For Mumtaz, who was supporting her family and already earning a substantial income — reportedly Rs 8 lakh as a struggler — walking away from the industry wasn't an option. 'I don't think anyone can give me the same amount of love that he showered on me. I never forgot him,' she added emotionally. 'Even today when his name is mentioned, tears well up in my eyes.' By the time Brahmachari was being filmed, Shammi Kapoor was already a widower, having lost his first wife, actress Geeta Bali, to smallpox in 1965. Kapoor, known for his flamboyant screen presence and infectious energy, was privately grieving and perhaps seeking companionship in the comforting bond he found with Mumtaz. Speaking to Lehren Retro , Kapoor recalled, 'At that time, I was a widower and Mumtaz was a very beautiful thing in that movie. For a short while, we both had dreams, but then it turned into a nightmare. So, it's fine. I am happy as I am today.'Mumtaz, who would go on to become one of the most celebrated actresses of the 1970s with hits like Do Raaste , Khilona , and Roti , had to choose between love and legacy. 'I had a family to support,' she explained. 'I was the highest paid actress of my time… I wanted only the best in life."Both actors eventually moved on in life. Kapoor married Neila Devi in 1969, while Mumtaz married businessman Mayur Madhvani and settled in London. Yet, the emotional imprint of their bond remained indelible.
Indian Express
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Sanjeev Kumar ‘numbered' his girlfriends, feared gold-diggers; died without home or wife after failed relationships with Hema Malini, Shabana Azmi
Sanjeev Kumar's life story is nothing short of a film. Coming from a middle-class Gujarati family in Surat, Gujarat, Sanjeev was among the few aspiring outsiders who made it big in the Hindi film industry. Though he may not have enjoyed the same popularity as his contemporaries like Dilip Kumar, Rajesh Khanna, and Shatrughan Sinha, he earned a cult following through character-driven performances in films like Khilona, Aandhi, Mausam, Namkeen, Koshish, Anamika, and more. He was also one of the rare actors who didn't shy away from experimenting with roles early on, even playing older characters in films like Trishul and Sholay while still in his 30s. While his fans fondly remember his powerful on-screen presence, Sanjeev's personal life also remained in the spotlight. The actor was popular among women, and he didn't shy away from admitting it. In an old interview with Filmfare, actor Anju Mahendroo, who shared a close friendship with Sanjeev, recalled how the actor used to number his girlfriends. She said, 'Whenever he was seeing a girl, he'd share it with me. We had numbered his girlfriends 1, 2, 3… He'd call up and say, 'Number 3 called me up today and number 9 reacted in this manner'.' Sanjeev was linked to many actresses in his lifetime, including Saira Banu, Hema Malini, Jayshree T, Shabana Azmi, and Sulakshana Pandit. However, his love story with Hema Malini drew the most attention. At the time, Hema had many suitors — Jeetendra wanted to marry her, and so did Dharmendra. She grew close to Sanjeev on the sets of Seeta Aur Geeta (1972), and the actor expressed his desire to marry her. However, Sanjeev's condition that she stop working after marriage ended their relationship. 'The cultural difference did not pose a hurdle, but Hema Malini's film career became a bone of contention,' the book An Actor's Actor mentions. Actor Sulakshana Pandit was deeply in love with Sanjeev Kumar, opposite whom she made her acting debut in Uljhan (1975). She even proposed marriage to Sanjeev, but he turned her down, as he was in love with Hema at the time. His rejection reportedly left Sulakshana heartbroken, and she never married. Sanjeev was also infatuated with Shabana Azmi and knew she had a fondness for him too. However, due to religious differences and his mother's disapproval of having a Muslim daughter-in-law, he never pursued the relationship. In an interview with Vijaya Irani in the December 1979 issue of Star & Style, he said, 'I knew Shabana for a longer period than I had known any other girl in films. What she felt for me that time must've been mere puppy love, but it could have culminated in an alliance with me if my mother had not put her foot firmly down. My mother, tolerant in other respects, was adamant about her refusal to accept a Muslim bahu.' Sanjeev's makeup artiste Sarosh Mody summed up the actor's tragic love life in an interaction in 1982. He said, 'Every woman whom Sanjeev loved and yearned for, ditched him, leaving him high and dry. His ego is terribly hurt. Sanjeev is suffering from some kind of a complex. Luck has never been in his favour.' While Sanjeev had many relationships, he never truly trusted the women in his life — partly due to heartbreak and partly because of what people around him made him believe. Anju Mahendroo once revealed how he became wary of women, suspecting they were only interested in his money. She said, 'I don't know whether he kept falling in love, or women kept falling in love [with] him. But there were lots and lots of women around him all the time. He was charming, he had a wonderful smile. They tried wooing him by sending him dabbas. Some women were genuinely in love with him. But he believed they were after his wealth, which was so sad because at the end of the day he had neither a home nor a wife.' Sanjeev was known for his fondness for food and alcohol. The actor never cared much for maintaining a fit physique. After suffering a heart attack, he underwent bypass surgery and significantly reduced his alcohol intake. Recalling a meeting with Sanjeev during that phase, Anju shared, 'He had stopped going out to prevent himself from eating and drinking. He was aware that premature death ran in his family what with an inherited congenital heart condition. He'd keep saying that in his family, the men didn't live beyond 50.' Apart from longing for a life partner, Sanjeev also dreamed of living in a house of his own. Towards the end of his life, he managed to buy a large property. However, due to a legal dispute within the seller's family, he was never able to claim ownership of it. Sanjeev Kumar passed away after suffering a heart attack in 1985 at the age of 47, without fulfilling his two dreams — spending life with a wife and owning a home.
Indian Express
02-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Mumtaz reveals she gets fillers on her face every 4 months, says she isn't against plastic surgery: ‘Not a crime, everybody should do it'
Veteran actor Mumtaz, 77, might have retired from films a long time ago but she continues to look her best self whenever she appears in front of the cameras for any speaking engagements. In a recent interview, Mumtaz had shared the secret behind her fitness, and in a new interview, she shared that one has to work out and take care of themselves if they want to look good. In the same chat, she added that she has never gone under the knife but gets fillers on both sides of her face every four months. But, she added, that she not against the idea of plastic surgery and believes that whoever feels like they need it, they must do it. Mumtaz was in conversation with The Times of India, she spoke about her idea of looking good and mentioned that she has 'not done any facelifts'. But, she shared that whenever she feels 'too tired,' she uses 'fillers on my left and right side of the face.' Mumtaz shared that the fillers last for at least 1-2 months and she gets them done every four months. When asked about going under the knife, she said that she hadn't felt the need to do until now. She was also asked about younger actors choosing to opt for plastic surgery and Mumtaz said that if one feels that they need to change about themselves, they can do it. 'It is not a crime to change it,' she said. Talking about the universal need of being liked and looking good, Mumtaz said that if she feels she needs to change something about herself, she will do so. 'I will do it,' she said and added, 'Everybody should do it.' ALSO READ | Mumtaz opens up on Fardeen Khan's divorce with daughter Natasha Madhwani: 'They have separated, every marriage has its ups and downs' Mumtaz had previously spoken about her strict diet and routine in a chat with Radio Nasha Official. 'I am very strict about food. I don't eat much. I don't eat the wrong thing, lots of exercise, I take care of my face, my hair, I make my own mask. And I am very particular about timings,' she said. She spoke about Akshay Kumar's advice to her which led her to eating hours before bed time and skipping dinner. 'I sleep at about 9-10 pm and I get up at 4-5 in the morning. I do my exercise at 7 am then I drink black tea. Then I take very little breakfast, not very fattening. And that's it. Then I have lunch. I don't have dinner. I just take some fruits. I don't eat dinner, she said and added, 'Akshay Kumar told me, 'don't eat after 5-6 pm'. So I learnt that from him,' she said. Mumtaz is best remembered for her appearance in films like Brahmachari, Do Raaste, Khilona, Aap Ki Kasam, Roti, among others.
Hindustan Times
02-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
‘Everybody should do it': Mumtaz, 77, admits to getting fillers on face, says she doesn't mind plastic surgery too
By HT Entertainment Desk | Written by Riya Sharma Jul 02, 2025 03:48 PM IST Bollywood actors like Priyanka Chopra, Khushi Kapoor and others have opened up about getting cosmetic surgeries done, even if that made them a target of trolls. In a recent interview with Times of India, Mumtaz, 77, also spoke about how she uses cheek fillers once every four months and shared her thoughts on undergoing plastic surgery. Mumtaz admitted to using fillers and defends actors getting plastic surgery. Mumtaz revealed that she does use fillers when she is too tired of working out and said, "If you don't work out, you won't look good. I have not done any facelifts, but sometimes when I am too tired, I do use fillers on my left and right side of the face. Usse chal jata hai ek do mahina (For 1-2 months it works). I do it once every four months. I don't feel the need to go under the knife, till now." However, Mumtaz also shared that she has no issue with getting plastic surgery if needed: "If you feel there is anything less in you, then you must rectify it. It is not a crime to change it. Everybody wants to look good and beautiful. Even if I feel like I need something I need to work on, I will change it. Even if I have to do a plastic surgery, I will do it. If that makes me look beautiful, why not? Everybody should do it." About Mumtaz Mumtaz is one of the most iconic stars of Hindi cinema's golden era. She ruled the silver screen in the late 1960s and '70s. From her breakout performance in Do Raaste to her memorable roles in Khilona, Roti, Loafer, and Aap Ki Kasam, Mumtaz became a household name and emerged as one of the highest-paid actors in India. Her sizzling on-screen chemistry with Rajesh Khanna remains legendary. Despite retiring at the peak of her career, Mumtaz remains an enduring style icon. She recently revealed that she would love to return to films but has no interest in playing a hero's mother.
