Madhubala the indian icon
When she was a success, she was referred as the Venus Queen but when she was unsuccessful, she was called box office poison. She was often compared to sex symbol Marilyn Monroe, as they both were beautiful. The person described here could only be Madhubala.
Born in 1933 on Valentine day, young Mumtaz dreamt of becoming a movie star at a very young age. Living in Dehli her father struggled to get work so he went to Mumbai with young Mumtaz hoping she would make it as a child artist. As luck would have it, Devika Rani gave young Mumtaz an opportunity. Her first movie as a child artist was Basant in 1942 aged 8. At the age of 8, Mumtaz became the sole breadwinner of her family, this included her 10 siblings and parents.
Later in her teenage years Devika Rani renamed her Madhubala. Madhubala first adult role was with Raj Kapoor in the movie Neel Kamal aged only 14 years old. In 1949 the movie which made her box office success was Mahal, at the age of sixteen Madhubala became a star.
On the sets of Tarana, Madhubala met and fell in love with co star Dilip Kumar. Madhubala sent a rose with a note to Dilip Kumar dressing room telling him to accept it if he loved her. Dilip Kumar quite amused with the gesture accepted the rose, unaware that Madhubala had already done this with another co star on the sets of her film Badal. At the time Madhubala was young and nave and was easily falling in love with her co-stars or directors, namely Kamal Amrohi the director of Mahal. However Madhubala was madly in love with Dilip Kumar, she had become so smitten by him that she totally forgot about her other love interests.
Unfortunately for Madhubala, Dilip Kumar and Premnath her co star in Badal worked in a film together and they learnt of Madhubala deception. Premnath quickly stepped away from the relationship giving Dilip Kumar and Madhubala a chance to continue their courtship. Dilip Kumar and Madhubala had a seven year courtship and in the time they made four movies together including the unforgettable Mughal E Azam. Their relationship ended abruptly when Madhubala father refused for Madhubala to go to outdoor shooting for the movie Naya Daur. The director therefore dropped Madhubala and asked another actress to take the role. Madhubala father became angry that his daughter had suddenly gotten kicked off the movie that he threatened to sue the director, the director then counter sued and the matter ended up in court where Dilip Kumar testified against Madhubala. In court when being questioned Dilip Kumar declared his love for Madhubala.
Including the court case and other matters Dilip Kumar and Madhubala relationship ended abruptly. There was also the matter of Madhubala father, the possessive and arrogant man didn't want Madhubala to get married to Dilip Kumar as she was a sole earner of the family and if she left, she would take her income with her. In my opinion Madhubala lost her only ray of happiness because of her arrogant father.
Even though their relationship had ended they still had to work together as Mughal E- Azam wasn't completed yet. In the period they worked together in Mughal E- Azam Dilip Kumar did not utter a word to Madhubala and the only words he said to her was the words of Salim. There was scene in the movie were Salim slapped Anarkali across the face, Dilip Kumar did this with such force that tears came to Madhubala eyes. Madhubala couldn't cope and put all her sorrows into the movie, Madhubala had now become like her character Anarkali, the father separating the two lovers but in this case it was Madhubala father playing Akbar and not letting his daughter seek happiness.
In 1950 during a routine check up Madhubala learnt of her heart defect, she hid this fact from the industry and carried on working in movies. She also went to extremes for movies knowing full well it would affect her health even more. For Mughal E Azam the director insisted that Madhubala wore real chains when Anarkali was imprisoned, Madhubala had to co-operate and did what the director wanted. Madhubala was only relieved from the chains when the director called for a break. A few times on the sets of her movies, Madhubala used to cough up blood and on one occasion she fainted. Madhubala was dedicated to her work and at the end it affected her health, she was a true talent.
Whilst making Jhumroo and Chalti ka naam ghadi Madhubala met Kishore Kumar her future husband. Madhubala was proposed by three men, but she chose to marry Kishore Kumar an already married man. Madhubala chose to marry Kishore Kumar because she met him on the rebound from her break up from Dilip Kumar. Kishore Kumar was breath of fresh air after the bitter relationship with Dilip Kumar. After Kishore Kumar divorced his first wife in 1958 he married Madhubala, Kishore Kumar converted to Islam. Kishore Kumar parents weren't too happy about the marriage and refused to accept Madhubala as a daughter in law. To please them, Madhubala and Kishore Kumar had Hindu wedding ceremony but to no avail, they were still stubborn.
Kishore Kumar loved Madhubala but he was not a decent husband, Kishore Kumar married Madhubala because he thought she could help him financially. The only reason Kishore Kumar signed Chalti Ka naam Ghadi because he thought it would flop at the box office and he would be relieved from paying tax. At the time of their marriage Kishore Kumar wasn't financially secure and wished Madhubala would help him out. Of course Madhubala only used her money on her family and didn't help Kishore Kumar but after the success of Chalti ka naam ghadi Kishore Kumar didn't need any money of Madhubala.
In 1960 Mughal E Azam was finally finished, after working on it for ten years Madhubala finally completed the five hour movie which had become a classic in the Indian cinema. Even though she portrayed the tragedian Anarkali with such convection Madhubala didn't receive the filmfare award that she deserved.
By the 1960 Madhubala's health had deteriorated and she had to step down from making any more movies of course she had the odd releases in the 60's but they were mostly old movies that were finally released. Such movies as half ticket with Kishore Kumar, Sharabi and passport and her last movie was Jwala with Sunil dutt, this was the only colour movie that she made in her lifetime. Well Mughal E Azam was coloured after she had gone.
In her last days on this earth Madhubala was confined to her bed, she had odd visits from friends and family's but no one wanted to know about her anymore. When she was famous and in the lime time, everyone was falling to her feet but when she was dying no one was there not even her husband.
Madhubala tried making a comeback in a movie with Raj Kapoor but on the very first day she collapsed on the set and the movie was shelved. She also tried filmmaking but she never had the chance to fulfil her desire. Madhubala died on the 23rd of February 1969 on a Sunday morning nine days after her 36th birthday. The day before her death Madhubala expressed her feelings to see Dilip Kumar but he did not come. Madhubala was buried at Santacruz burial ground with her diary, Dilip Kumar did not attend the funeral, and it is not known if he was invited.
Madhubala has more fans now then she did when she was alive, from old people who remember watching her movies when they were young and youngster who after watching Mughal E Azam have become fascinated with the beautiful Anarkali and the actress Madhubala. Her young fans are dedicating videos on utube and making tribute videos in her memory. Madhubala has more video dedicated to her on utube then any thespian in the movie industry. Just recently on 18th March 2008 a stamp was produced by the Indian post featuring pictures of Madhubala, the only actors to be given this honour was Nargis, Guru Dutt and Kishore Kumar.
Madhubala will remain an icon around the globe for many years to come, as she is gaining fans everyday. After the re- release of Mughal E Azam in colour youngster were able to appreciate Madhubala in colour and become mesmerised in her beauty and talent. None of the actress today compare to Madhubala and the only other actress that could be closely compared to her is Madhuri Dixit and yet Madhuri Dixit still misses something.
May she rest in peace, the wonderful, talented, beautiful and the one and only Madhubala.