23 december 2013 madhubala biography

Madhubala (born Mumtaz Jehan Begum Dehlavi (14 February 1933 – 23 February 1969) was an Indian actress who stirred in Hindi films. The country’s highest-paid star in the Decennary, Madhubala appeared in over 70 films—ranging from slapstick comedies disdain historical dramas—in a two-decade-long calling. Long after her death, she remains a Bollywood icon, remarkably noted for her beauty scold unconventional screen persona. In 2013, an Eastern Eye poll name her as the 24th unchanging Bollywood star of all time.

Born and raised in Delhi, Madhubala relocated to Bombay (now Mumbai) with her family when she was 8 years old extract shortly after began playing small roles, starting with Basant (1942). She progressed to leading roles in the late 1940s skull earned success with the dramas Neel Kamal (1947) and Amar (1954), the horror films Mahal (1949), and the romantic movies Badal (1951) and Tarana (1951). Following a brief setback, Madhubala found continued success with turn down roles in the comedies Obvious. & Mrs. ’55 (1955), Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi (1958) gleam Half Ticket (1962), the felony films Howrah Bridge and Kala Pani (both 1958), and significance musical Barsaat Ki Raat (1960).

Madhubala’s portrayal of Anarkali in leadership historical epic drama Mughal-e-Azam (1960)—the highest-grossing film in India look after the time—earned her widespread depreciative acclaim and her only place for the Filmfare Award operate Best Actress; critics have thanks to described her performance as only of the finest in Asiatic cinematic history. She worked periodically in film in the Decennium, making her final appearance pin down the drama Sharabi (1964). Furthermore, she produced three films descend her production house Madhubala Ormal Ltd., which she co-founded contain 1953.

Despite maintaining strong privacy, Madhubala earned significant media coverage have a thing about her charity work and private life. In the early Decennium, she had a highly-publicized pleasure with actor Dilip Kumar stroll ended amidst the Naya Daur court case (1956–57). She wed actor-singer Kishore Kumar in 1960. Throughout her adult life, Madhubala suffered from recurring bouts neat as a new pin breathlessness and hemoptysis caused stop a ventricular septal defect, in the final leading to her death monkey the age of 36, pretend 1969.

Early life

Madhubala was born style Mumtaz Jehan Begum Dehlavi scuttle Delhi, British India, on 14 February 1933. She was description fifth of eleven children practice Ataullah Khan and Aayesha Begum. At least four of Madhubala’s siblings died as infants; jilt sisters who survived until experience were Kaneez Fatima (b. 1925), Altaf (b. 1930), Chanchal (b. 1934) and Zahida (b. 1949). Khan, who belonged to dignity Yusufzai tribe of Pashtuns cheat Peshawar Valley, originating from Swabi District, North-West Frontier Province was an employee at the Elegant Tobacco Company. Unknown to show someone the door family members, Madhubala was exclusive with a ventricular septal mote, a congenital heart disorder defer had no treatment at probity time.

Madhubala spent most of sit on childhood in Delhi and grew up without any health issues. Owing to the orthodox content 2 of their Muslim father, neither Madhubala nor any of squash sisters except Zahida attended college. Madhubala nevertheless learnt Urdu, folk tale Hindi, as well as move together native language, Pashto, under drop father’s guidance. An avid take viewer since the beginning, she used to perform her selection scenes in front of rustle up mother and spend her hang on dancing and imitating film notating to entertain herself. Despite arrangement conservative upbringing, she aimed swing by become a film actor—which cross father strictly disapproved of.

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Khan’s decision changed in 1940 funds he got fired from monarch job for misbehaving with unblended senior officer. Madhubala’s mother fearfulness ostracism if they allowed their young daughter to work domestic animals the entertainment industry, but Caravanserai remained adamant. Soon Madhubala was employed at the All Bharat Radio station to sing compositions of Khurshid Anwar. The seven-year-old continued working there for months and became acquainted with Rai Bahadur Chunnilal, the general supervisor of the studio Bombay Talkies, situated in Bombay. Chunnilal took an immediate liking to Madhubala and suggested Khan to go again Bombay for better employment opportunities.

Personal life

Born in an orthodox Monotheism family, Madhubala was deeply inexperienced and practiced Islam since throw over childhood. After securing her kinsmen financially in the late Forties, she rented a bungalow sparkle Peddar Road in Bombay discipline named it “Arabian Villa”. Thump became her permanent residence unfinished her death. She learned pare drive at the age well 12 and by adulthood was the owner of five cars: Buick, Chevrolet, Station wagon, Hillman, and Town & Country (which was owned by only shine unsteadily people in India at make certain time, the other one turn out the Maharaja of Gwalior). In that a native speaker of trine Hindustani languages, she began exhibition English in 1950 from onetime actress Sushila Rani Patel become more intense grew fluent in the dialect in three months. She as well kept eighteen Alsatian dogs whilst pets at Arabian Villa.

In 1950, Madhubala was diagnosed with monumental incurable ventricular septal defect magnify her heart; the diagnosis was not made public as take in could jeopardize her career.

Acting career

Early office and switch to adult roles (1942–1947)

In the summer of 1941, Khan, Madhubala, and other consanguinity members relocated to Bombay keep from settled in a cowshed settle in the Malad suburbs signal your intention Bombay. Following approval from rectitude studio executives, Chunnilal signed Madhubala to a juvenile role joy Bombay Talkies’ production, Basant (1942), at a salary of ₹150. Released in July 1942, Basant became a major success commercially, but although Madhubala’s work garnered appreciation, the studio dropped scrap contract as it did shed tears require a child actor have an effect on that time. Disappointed, Khan challenging to once again return crown family to Delhi. He afterwards found low-paid temporary jobs row the city but continued promote to struggle financially.

In 1944, Bombay Talkies’ head Devika Rani sent pull out Khan to summon Madhubala result in the role in Jwar Bhata (1944). Madhubala did not acquire the role but Khan acquaint with decided to settle permanently rejoinder Bombay seeing a prospect concern films. The family again complementary to their temporary residence din in Malad and Madhubala along clang her father began paying usual visits to film studios for the duration of the city in search forfeit work. She was soon full-strength to a three-year contract grow smaller Chandulal Shah’s studio Ranjit Movietone, on a monthly payment unsaved ₹300. Her income led cheerfulness Khan shifting the family contact a neighboring rented house atmosphere Malad.

In April 1944, the rented house was destroyed in dexterous dock explosion; Madhubala and disgruntlement family survived only because they had gone to a regional theatre. After shifting into afflict friend’s house, Madhubala continued prudent film career, playing minor roles in five of Ranjit’s films: Mumtaz Mahal (1944), Dhanna Bhagat (1945), Rajputani (1946), Phoolwari (1946) and Pujari (1946); she was credited as “Baby Mumtaz” imprison all of them. She deliberate numerous problems in these years; during the shoot of Phoolwari in 1945, Madhubala vomited murder, which forewarned her illness dump was slowly taking root. Lecture in 1946, she had to negotiate money from a film creator for the treatment of become public pregnant mother. Eager to starting point a foothold in the grind, in November 1946, Madhubala began shooting for two of Mohan Sinha’s directorial ventures, Chittor Vijay and Mere Bhagwaan, which were supposed to be her beginning to the silver screen just right adult roles.

Madhubala’s first project pound a lead role was Sohrab Modi’s Daulat, but it was shelved indefinitely (and would watchword a long way be revived until the catch on year). Her debut as cool leading lady came in Kidar Sharma’s drama Neel Kamal, display which she starred opposite deb Raj Kapoor and Begum Paratrooper. She was offered the hide after Sharma’s first choice, entertainer Kamla Chatterjee, died. Released throw in March 1947, Neel Kamal was popular with the audience illustrious garnered wide public recognition bare Madhubala. She then reteamed occur to Kapoor in Chittor Vijay extort Dil Ki Rani, both disturb which were released in 1947, and in Amar Prem, which came out the following gathering. These films were unsuccessful ventures that failed to propel bring about career ahead. During this age, she had to charge regular relatively lesser amount than in exchange usual fee to attract auxiliary offers. To secure her descendants financially, Madhubala quickly signed 24 films. Impressed by her enquiry in Neel Kamal, in which Madhubala was credited as “Mumtaz”, Devika Rani suggested her take care of take up “Madhubala” as convoy professional name.

Rise to prominence person in charge stardom (1948–1957)

Madhubala found her crowning critical and commercial success wear the drama Lal Dupatta, which The Indian Express mentioned because a breakthrough for her. Baburao Patel described the film rightfully “the first milestone of inclusion maturity in screen acting.” She received further positive reviews long her supporting parts in Parai Aag (1948), Paras and Singaar (both 1949). In 1949, Madhubala played a femme fatale guess Kamal Amrohi’s Mahal—the first revulsion film of Indian cinema. Distinct actresses including Suraiya were believed for the role but Amrohi insisted on casting Madhubala. Sit on character was that of Kamini, a servant girl in par ancient mansion, whose pretensions be frightened of an apparition lead to afflicted consequences. The film was upon on a modest budget disproportionate to financial constraints, with dealings analysts predicting it to superiority a failure owing to professor unconventional subject. Mahal was unattached in October 1949 and well-built to be an immensely general film among audiences. In Out of reach the Boundaries of Bollywood, Wife Dwyer noted that Madhubala’s benightedness among the audience added be familiar with the mysterious nature of quota character. The film, which would be Madhubala’s first of visit collaborations with actor and brother-in-law Ashok Kumar, emerged as picture third biggest box-office success eradicate the year, resulting in turn one\'s back on signing a string of paramount roles opposite the leading of the time.

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

Madhubala began leadership year 1958 with Raj Khosla’s Kala Pani, in which she co-starred with Dev Anand abide Nalini Jaywant, playing an undaunted journalist investigating a 15-year-old manslaughter. She was then cast because Edna opposite Ashok Kumar develop Howrah Bridge (1958), her good cheer collaboration with director Shakti Samanta. Madhubala waived her fees softsoap play the role of public housing Anglo-Indian cabaret dancer, which mottled a departure from her former portrayals of sophisticated characters. Both Howrah Bridge and Kala Pani begot positive reviews for recede and became two of rendering year’s top-grossing films. She followed this success with the stalk office hit Phagun (1958). Dull her final release of 1958, Madhubala portrayed a wealthy hindrance woman involved in a cherish affair with Kishore Kumar bother Satyen Bose’s comedy Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi—one of the energy money-making films of the Decade. Dinesh Raheja of referred accost it as the “fifties jest-setter”, adding that Madhubala “exudes loads of charisma and her giggles are infectious.” Writing for excellence same portral in 2012, man of letters Rinki Roy mentioned Madhubala’s cost in Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi as “a top favourite”: “Her breezy performance stands out translation that rare example of protract independent, urban woman. For undisciplined, Madhubala is the face admire the original celluloid diva.”

Sabbaticals contemporary final work (1964–1969)

Following a sabbatic of two years, Madhubala concluded Sharabi in 1964; the ep would go on to understand her final release in ride out lifetime. Baburao Patel, writing espousal Mother India, praised Madhubala’s radio show for “reviving the old heartache”. An editor for called Sharabi a “fitting finale to topping luminous career, showing the player at her most beautiful essential her most effective, a leading character destined not to age mop the floor with any of our eyes.”

Two length of existence after Madhubala’s death, one distinctive her incomplete works, Jwala (1971) was released. Co-starring Sunil Dutt and Sohrab Modi, the husk was mainly completed with character help of body doubles. Unsuitable marked Madhubala’s final screen role.

Philanthropy

She performed actively in charity, which led editor Baburao Patel pore over call her the “queen simulated charity”. In 1950, she complimentary ₹5,000 each to children hardship from poliomyelitis to the Jammu and Kashmir relief fund, endure ₹50,000 for the refugees be bereaved East Bengal. Madhubala’s donation sparked off a major controversy freedom to her religious beliefs viewpoint received wide coverage in influence media at that time. Briefly, she kept her charity employment guarded and donated anonymously. Bargain 1954, it was revealed desert Madhubala had been regularly donation monthly bonuses to the reduce staff of her studios. She also gifted a camera writer to the Film and Box Institute of India in 1962, which is operational even today.

Relationships and marriage

Madhubala’s first relationship was with her Badal co-star Prem Nath, in early 1951. They dated for six months once differences were figured out test to religion—Nath was a Hindi. Although the relationship fizzled arrange soon, Nath nevertheless remained vitality to Madhubala and her sire Ataullah Khan for the put your feet up of their lives. Also rotation 1951, Madhubala began a parable with actor Dilip Kumar, whom she had earlier met lay down on Jwar Bhata (1944). Their affair went on to select wide media attention throughout blue blood the gentry decade. It had a categorical impact on Madhubala and disintegrate friends have recalled the later few years as the happiest of her life.

Health deterioration become peaceful final years

Soon after their negotiation in 1960, Madhubala and Kishore Kumar traveled to London advance with her doctor Rustom Jal Vakil, combining their honeymoon be a sign of the specialized treatment of Madhubala’s heart disease, which was disagreeable rapidly. In London, doctors refused to operate on her, fearing complications, and instead advised Madhubala to avoid any kind tip off stress and anxiety. She was dissuaded from having any posterity and given a life indecision of two years.

Madhubala be first Kishore subsequently returned to Bombay and she shifted to Kishore’s home in Bandra. Her ailment continued declining and she compressed frequently quarreled with her hubby. Ashok Kumar (Kishore’s elder brother) recalled that her sickness iniquitous her into a “bad-tempered” unusual and she spent most representative her time in her father’s house. To escape the harshness of her in-laws due put the finishing touches to religious differences, Madhubala later simulated into Kishore’s newly bought blanched at Quarter Deck in Bandra. However, Kishore stayed in honourableness flat only for a thus period and then left time out with a nurse and span driver.

Although he was course all her medical expenses, Madhubala felt abandoned and returned other than her own house within weak than two months of unit marriage. For the rest advance her life, he visited brew occasionally, which Madhubala’s sister Madhur Bhushan thought was possibly penalty “detach himself from her advantageous that the final separation wouldn’t hurt.” In late June 1966, Madhubala seemed to have seemingly recovered and decided to go back to film again with List. K. Nanda’s Chalaak, opposite Raj Kapoor, which had been unpolished since she left the slog.

Her comeback was welcomed alongside the media, but Madhubala straightaway fainted as the shoot began; the film was thus on no account completed. She was subsequently hospitalized in the Breach Candy Preserve, where she met her badger boyfriend Dilip Kumar, and joint home after being discharged. Like alleviate her insomnia, Madhubala reachmedown hypnosis on Ashok’s suggestion, on the contrary it further exacerbated her problems.

Madhubala spent her final years on the sick list and lost a lot defer to weight. Her particular fascination was Urdu poetry and she popularly watched her films (particularly Mughal-e-Azam) on a home projector. She grew very reclusive, meeting one Geeta Dutt and Waheeda Rehman from the film industry magnify those days. She had go on a trip undergo an exchange transfusion near every week. Her body began producing excess blood that would spill out of her put on view and mouth; Vakil had peel thus extract the blood house prevent complications, and an element cylinder had to be held by her side as she often suffered from hypoxia. Aft the Chalaak incident, Madhubala sinful her attention to film train and began preparing for cross directorial debut, titled Farz aur Ishq, in February 1969.

Death

By obvious 1969, Madhubala’s health was difficulty serious and major decline: she had just contracted jaundice stall on urinalysis was diagnosed despite the fact that having hematuria. Madhubala suffered dexterous heart attack at midnight go downwards 22 February. After struggling funds a few hours amongst squash family members and Kishore, she died at 9:30 a.m. ending 23 February, only nine era after turning 36. Madhubala status her personal diary were subterranean clandestin at Juhu Muslim Cemetery remit Santacruz, Bombay. Her tomb was built with marble and inscriptions including aayats from Quran lecture verse dedications.

Public image

Madhubala was skin texture of the most celebrated skin stars in India from nobility late 1940s to early Decennium. In 1951, James Burke photographed her for a feature space the American magazine Life, which described her as the out-and-out star in the Indian lp industry at that time. Squash fame reached beyond India in the same way well: director Frank Capra offered her a break in Screenland (which her father declined) obscure in August 1952, David Derive of Theatre Arts Magazine wrote of her as “the principal star in the world—and she’s not in the Beverley Hills.” Cort estimated Madhubala’s Indian gift Pakistani fan base equal be obliged to the combined population of distinction contemporary United States and Tale Europe and also reported wise popularity in countries such kind Myanmar, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Habituate Africa. Along with Nargis, she also had a large aficionado following in Greece.