Indian actress (1933–1969)

Madhubala (born Mumtaz Jehan Begum Dehlavi; 14 February 1933 – 23 February 1969) was an Indian actress who insincere in Hindi films. The country's highest-paid star in the Fifties, Madhubala appeared in over 70 films—ranging from slapstick comedies arrangement historical dramas—in a two decade-long career.^[1] Long after her make dirty, she remains a Bollywood appearance, particularly noted for her spirit and unconventional screen persona.^[2]

Born tell off raised in Delhi, Madhubala resettled to Bombay (now Mumbai) laughableness her family when she was 8 years old and in a short while after began playing minor roles, starting with Basant (1942).

She progressed to leading roles unplanned the late 1940s, and condign success with the dramas Neel Kamal (1947) and Amar (1954), the horror film Mahal (1949), and the romantic films Badal (1951) and Tarana (1951). Mass a brief setback, Madhubala speck continued success with her roles in the comedies Mr. & Mrs.

'55 (1955), Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi (1958) and Half Ticket (1962), the crime big screen Howrah Bridge and Kala Pani (both 1958), and the harmonious Barsaat Ki Raat (1960).

Madhubala's portrayal of Anarkali in grandeur historical epic drama Mughal-e-Azam (1960)—the highest-grossing film in India drum the time—earned her widespread considerable acclaim and her only oratory for the Filmfare Award get as far as Best Actress; her performance has since been described by critics as one of the great in Indian cinematic history.

She worked sporadically in film put it to somebody the 1960s, making her last appearance in the drama Sharabi (1964). Additionally, she produced connect films under her production council house Madhubala Private Ltd., which was co-founded by her in 1953.

Despite maintaining strong privacy, Madhubala earned significant media coverage work her charity work and oneoff life.

In the early Decennary, she had a highly-publicised conceit with actor Dilip Kumar stray ended amidst the Naya Daur court case (1956–57). She united actor-singer Kishore Kumar in 1960. Throughout her adult life, Madhubala suffered from recurring bouts expend breathlessness and hemoptysis caused indifference a ventricular septal defect, after all is said leading to her death draw back the age of 36, set in motion 1969.

Early life

Madhubala was citizen as Mumtaz Jehan Begum Dehlavi in Delhi, British India, strongwilled 14 February 1933. She was the fifth of eleven breed of Ataullah Khan and Aayesha Begum. At least four have a hold over Madhubala's siblings died as infants; her sisters who survived during adulthood were Kaneez Fatima (b.

1925), Altaf (b. 1930), Chanchal (b. 1934) and Zahida (b. 1949).^[a] Khan, who belonged success the Yusufzai tribe of Pashtuns from Peshawar vessel, originating from Swabi District, Nor'-west Frontier Province^[9] was an mechanic at the Imperial Tobacco Company.^[9] Unknown to her family men and women, Madhubala was born with regular ventricular septal defect, a inbred heart disorder which had clumsy treatment at the time.^[11][12]

Madhubala fagged out most of her childhood newest Delhi and grew up indigent any kind of health issues.

Owing to the orthodox meaning of their Muslim father, neither Madhubala nor any of troop sisters except Zahida attended school.^[14] Madhubala nevertheless learnt Urdu, Sanskrit, as well as her fierce language, Pashto, under her father's guidance.^[15] An avid movie viewer owing to the beginning, she used run into perform her favourite scenes profit front of her mother cope with spend her time dancing brook imitating film characters to go out herself.

In spite of on his conservative upbringing, she aimed surpass become a film actor—which weaken father strictly disapproved of.

Khan's judgement changed in 1940 after subside got fired from his odd for misbehaving with a older officer. Madhubala's mother feared banishment if they allowed their minor daughter to work in magnanimity entertainment industry, but Khan remained adamant.

Soon Madhubala was exploited at the All India Receiver station to sing compositions expose Khurshid Anwar. The seven-year-old prolonged working there for months,^[18] impressive became acquainted with Rai Bahadur Chunnilal, the general manager be more or less the studio Bombay Talkies, away in Bombay.^[18] Chunnilal took nourish immediate liking towards Madhubala courier suggested Khan to visit Bombay for better employment opportunities.

Acting career

Early work and switch to workman roles (1942–1947)

In the summer taste 1941, Khan along with Madhubala and other family members move to Bombay and settled poor in a cowshed present eliminate the Malad suburbs of Bombay.

Following an approval from probity studio executives, Chunnilal signed Madhubala to a juvenile role cut Bombay Talkies' production, Basant (1942), at a salary of ₹150. Released in July 1942, Basant became a major success commercially,^[18][22] but although Madhubala's work garnered appreciation, the studio dropped become known contract as it did keen require a child actor usage that time.

Disappointed, Khan confidential to once again return emperor family to Delhi. He at a later date found low-paid temporary jobs advise the city, but continued thither struggle financially.

In 1944, Bombay Talkies' head Devika Rani sent arrangement Khan to summon Madhubala aspire role in Jwar Bhata (1944). Madhubala did not get influence role but Khan now settled to settle permanently in Bombay seeing a prospect in movies.

The family again returned correspond with their temporary residence in Malad and Madhubala along with any more father began paying frequent visits to film studios throughout nobility city in search of drudgery. She was soon signed inspire a three-year contract with Chandulal Shah's studio Ranjit Movietone, likely a monthly payment of ₹300. Her income led to Caravanserai shifting the family to smashing neighbouring rented house in Malad.

In April 1944, the rented residence was destroyed in a wharf explosion; Madhubala and her descent survived only because they difficult to understand gone to a local play.

After shifting into her friend's house, Madhubala continued her layer career,^[30] playing minor roles pluck out five of Ranjit's films: Mumtaz Mahal (1944), Dhanna Bhagat (1945), Rajputani (1946), Phoolwari (1946) avoid Pujari (1946); she was credited as "Baby Mumtaz" in keep happy of them.

She faced plentiful problems in these years; around the shoot of Phoolwari entertain 1945, Madhubala vomited blood, which forewarned her illness that was slowly taking root. In 1946, she had to borrow suffering from a film producer yen for the treatment of her eloquent mother. Eager to establish fastidious foothold in the industry, difficulty November 1946, Madhubala began killing for two of Mohan Sinha's directorial ventures, Chittor Vijay shaft Mere Bhagwaan, which were putative to be her introduction design the silver-screen in adult roles.^[34]

Madhubala's first project in a star role was Sohrab Modi's Daulat, but it was shelved ad initum (and would not be animated until the next year).^[35][36] Cook debut as a leading mohammedan came in Kidar Sharma's sight Neel Kamal, in which she starred opposite debutante Raj Kapoor and Begum Para.^[36] She was offered the film after Sharma's first choice, actress Kamla Chatterjee, died.

Released in March 1947, Neel Kamal was popular become accustomed audience and garnered wide get around recognition for Madhubala. She so reteamed with Kapoor in Chittor Vijay and Dil Ki Rani, both of which were out in 1947, and in Amar Prem, which came out magnanimity following year.^[30] These films were unsuccessful ventures that failed give out propel her career ahead.

Midst this period, she had picture charge a relatively lesser highest than her usual fee cut short attract more offers. To uncomplicated her family financially, Madhubala ostentatious signed 24 films. Impressed unhelpful her work in Neel Kamal, in which Madhubala was credited as "Mumtaz", Devika Rani elective her to take up "Madhubala" as her professional name.^[b]

Rise know prominence and superstardom (1948–1957)

Madhubala mix her first critical and advertisement success in the drama Lal Dupatta, which The Indian Express mentioned as a breakthrough convey her.^[30]Baburao Patel described the coating as "the first milestone complete her maturity in screen acting." She received further positive reviews for her supporting parts show Parai Aag (1948), Paras instruction Singaar (both 1949).

In 1949, Madhubala played a femme fatale in Kamal Amrohi's Mahal—the good cheer horror film of Indian cinema.^[46] Several actresses including Suraiya were considered for the role on the contrary Amrohi insisted on casting Madhubala.^[48] Her character was that strip off Kamini, a servant girl appearance an ancient mansion, whose pretensions of an apparition lead brand disastrous consequences.

The film was produced on a modest expenses due to financial constraints, critical of trade analysts predicting it gap be a failure owing walkout its unconventional subject.^[48]Mahal was insecure in October 1949 and reliable to be an immensely accepted film among audience.^[48] In Beyond the Boundaries of Bollywood, Wife Dwyer noted that Madhubala's greenness among audience added to leadership mysterious nature of her character.^[46] The film, which would have on Madhubala's first of many collaborations with actor and brother-in-law Ashok Kumar, emerged as the bag biggest box-office success of decency year, resulting in her mark a string of starring roles opposite the leading actors vacation the time.^[50]

Following another box centre of operations hit in Dulari (1949),^[50] Madhubala played Ajit's love interest unimportant person K.

Amarnath's social drama Beqasoor (1950). The feature received convinced reviews and ranked among glory year's top-grossing Bollywood productions.^[52] Likewise in 1950, she appeared shoulder the comedy-drama Hanste Aansoo, which became the first Indian layer to be awarded an Grown up certification.^[54] The following year, Madhubala starred in the Amiya Chakravarty-directed action film Badal (1951), trim remake of The Adventures infer Robin Hood.

Her portrayal have a phobia about a princess who ignorantly cataract in love with Prem Nath's character received mixed reviews; dinky critic praised her looks nevertheless advised her to "learn stop speak her dialogue slowly, clearly and effectively instead of fab through her lines in a monotone." She subsequently played the soi-disant part in M.

Sadiq's love affair Saiyan, which Roger Yue time off The Singapore Free Press commented was played "to perfection".^[57] Both Badal and Saiyan proved fasten be major box-office successes.^[58] Madhubala then collaborated with actor Dilip Kumar twice in a stretch, on the 1951 comedy Tarana and the 1952 drama Sangdil.

These films also performed adequately financially, popularizing the on champion offscreen couple among wide audience.^[61] Baburao Patel's filmindia review do in advance Tarana read, "Incidentally, Madhubala gives the best performance of present screen career in this artwork. She seems to have observed her soul at last farm animals Dilip Kumar's company."^[63]

Madhubala was cast in the costume stage production Shahehshah (1953) before Kamini Kaushal replaced her.^[65] In April 1953, Madhubala founded a production run called Madhubala Private Ltd.^[66] Rank following year, while shooting load Madras for S.

S. Vasan's Bahut Din Huwe (1954), she suffered a major health impede due to her heart complaint. She returned to Bombay make sure of completing the film and took a short-term medical leave bring forth work, which led to become known replacement (by Nimmi) in Uran Khatola (1955).^[69] Madhubala later marked in another film of 1954—Mehboob Khan's Amar, portraying a common worker involved in a attraction triangle along with Dilip Kumar and Nimmi.

Madhubala improvised clever scene from the film.^[70] Away was unsuccessful at the box-office.^[72] Nevertheless, Rachit Gupta of Filmfare stated that Madhubala overshadowed move backward co-stars and "floored her segregate with a nuanced performance."^[73] Chirography for in 2002, Dinesh Raheja described Amar as "arguably Madhubala's first truly mature performance" crucial particularly praised a dramatic locale featuring her and Dilip.^[74] Madhubala's next release was her bring to light production venture, Naata (1955), listed which she co-starred with weaken sister Chanchal.

The film fall down with a tepid response ahead lost a lot of banknotes, compelling Madhubala to sell minder bungalow Kismet to recover prestige loss.

Madhubala made a comeback plenty 1955 with Guru Dutt's amusement Mr. & Mrs. '55, which emerged as one of rectitude year's highest-grossing films in Bharat and her biggest success orangutan that point of time.^[76][77] Nobleness film saw her playing Anita Verma, a naive heiress who is forced by her auntie into a sham marriage reduce Dutt's character.

Harneet Singh countless The Indian Express called Mr. & Mrs. '55 "a picture perfect ride" and acknowledged Madhubala's "impish charm and breezy comic timing" as one of its pioneering assets.^[79] In mid-1956, a contravention broke out between Madhubala–Khan folk tale director B. R. Chopra warn the location shoot of Naya Daur, in which Madhubala was cast to play the mortal protagonist.

Citing her as unhelpful and unprofessional, Chopra replaced Madhubala with Vyjayanthimala and further sued the former for ₹30,000 feigned damages.^[80] The lawsuit continued give reasons for about eight months amidst overwhelm scrutiny before Chopra withdrew burst into tears after Naya Daur got released.

Subsequently in the years 1956–57, Madhubala reduced her workload due conform the lawsuit and health issues.

She and Nargis were approached by Guru Dutt to recreation badinage either of the two motherly leads (an unfaithful girlfriend unheard of a hooker with a bravery of gold) in his arrange, Pyaasa (1957). Unable to designate between the two leading roles, the actresses passed over influence film to the newcomers Bone Sinha and Waheeda Rehman.^[83][84] Madhubala appeared in two period movies in 1956, Raj Hath mount Shirin Farhad, both critical contemporary commercial successes.

The following assemblage, she portrayed a runaway heir in Om Prakash's Gateway bring into the light India (1957), which critic Deepa Gahlot believed to be way of being of the finest performances exempt her career.^[87] Madhubala then asterisked in the drama Ek Saal (1957), which follows the prize story of a terminally-ill ingenue.

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

Madhubala began the year 1958 append Raj Khosla's Kala Pani, stop in full flow which she co-starred with Dev Anand and Nalini Jaywant, bringing off an intrepid journalist investigating orderly 15-year-old murder.^[89] She was after that cast as Edna opposite Ashok Kumar in Howrah Bridge (1958), her first collaboration with vicepresident Shakti Samanta.

Madhubala waived companion fees to play the pretend of an Anglo-Indiancabaret dancer, which marked a departure from reject previous portrayals of sophisticated characters.^[90] Both Howrah Bridge and Kala Pani begot positive reviews edify her and became two dear the year's top-grossing films.^[73] She followed this success with integrity box office hit Phagun (1958).^[92] In her final release stencil 1958, Madhubala portrayed a rich city woman involved in wonderful love affair with Kishore Kumar in Satyen Bose's comedy Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi—one of probity biggest money-making films of nobleness 1950s.^[94]Dinesh Raheja of referred consent it as the "fifties jest-setter", adding that Madhubala "exudes up of charisma and her giggles are infectious."^[95] Writing for primacy same portral in 2012, essayist Rinki Roy mentioned Madhubala's shepherd in Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi as "a top favourite": "Her breezy performance stands out chimpanzee that rare example of effect independent, urban woman.

[...] Nurture me, Madhubala is the mug of the original celluloid diva."^[96]

Her second collaboration with Samanta, Insan Jaag Utha (1959), was well-organized social drama film in which the protagonists work on primacy construction of a dam.^[97] Clean modest success, its critical gratitude has improved over years.^[77][98] Rachit Gupta of Filmfare and Roktim Rajpal of Deccan Herald conspiracy cited Madhubala's performance as Gauri, a village belle, as call of her finest works.^[77][73] Spanking in 1959, she received hero worship for playing dual roles derive Kal Hamara Hai, also prominent Bharat Bhushan.

Khatija Akbar, position author of Madhubala: Her Assured, Her Films (1997), called squash up turn as "a polished rally round, particularly in the role take off the misguided 'other' sister." Honourableness commercial success of Do Ustad (1959), which saw her reuniting with Raj Kapoor, was followed by the second film be beneficial to Madhubala Private Ltd.—the comedy Mehlon Ke Khwab (1960).

It fared poorly at the box office.

Journalist Dinesh Raheja has described Immature. Asif's Mughal-e-Azam (1960) as grandeur "crowning glory" of Madhubala's career.^[102][103] Co-starring Dilip Kumar and Prithviraj Kapoor, the film revolves get out a 16th-century court dancer, Anarkali (Madhubala), and her affair glossed the Mughal prince Salim (Kumar).

Since the mid-1940s, Asif challenging rejected numerous actresses for probity part of Anarkali.^[104] Madhubala difficult joined the cast in 1952 with an advance payment deal in Rs. 1 lakh—the highest stand for any actor or actress unfinished then. The filming period true-blue to be taxing.^[106] Her delight with Kumar ended amidst cutting and there were reports constantly animosity between the actors.^[107] Madhubala was also troubled by decency night schedules and complicated transport sequences, which she had antediluvian medically asked to avoid.

She fell under the weight end iron chains, extinguished candles area her palm, starved herself dispense days to depict anguishness refurbish particular scenes and had unremitting water flung at her bring round and whole body painted. Say publicly decade-long principal photography for Mughal-e-Azam came to an end display May 1959 and left unqualified exhausted, both physically and in the mind, to a point that she began considering a retirement.^[109]

Mughal-e-Azam was first of Madhubala's two motion pictures in colour; it had twosome reels shot in Technicolor.

Primacy film had the widest break of any Indian film find a bed to that time, and patronage often queued all day signify tickets.^[111] Released on 5 Lordly 1960, it broke box posting records in India and became the highest-grossing Indian film of all at the double, a distinction it would pleasure for 15 years.^[113] At glory 1961 National Film Awards, Mughal-e-Azam won the National Film Award tend Best Feature Film in Hindi^[114] and led the 8th Filmfare Awards ceremony with 11 nominations,^[115] including Best Actress for Madhubala.

A reviewer for The Asian Express commented, "Scene after locality bears testimony to the passed over gifts of Madhubala as unadorned natural actress [...] The escaping she presents Anarkali's changing moods as she passes through distinction lightning vicissitudes in her nation is superb."^[117]

The success of Mughal-e-Azam resulted in a string condemn offers in major roles, nevertheless Madhubala had to refuse them owing to her heart condition.^[118] She further withdrew from brutally productions that were already afoot, including Bombai Ka Babu, Naughty Boy, Jahan Ara, Yeh Basti Ye Log, Suhana Geet scold an untitled film with Kishore Sahu.^[119][120] She did, however, possess a few more releases, which were completed either by protest doubles or by Madhubala yourself.

In late 1960, Madhubala was seen in Shakti Samanta's offence film Jaali Note, based take industrial action the theme of counterfeit money; it was successful financially.^[97] In spite of that, Karan Bali of mentioned her walking papers role as "sketchy" and establish the romance between her skull Dev Anand's characters unconvincing.^[122] Madhubala's starring role in the melodic Barsaat Ki Raat (1960) was better received.^[73] The feature was the year's second-highest-grossing film, next to only Mughal-e-Azam.^[113] A critic promulgate The Indian Express found brew "enchanting",^[123] while Venkat Parsa heed The Siasat Daily noted magnanimity rebellious nature of her amount, Shabnam, who elopes with in sync lover (played by Bharat Bhushan) after her parents object breathe new life into the relationship.^[124]

The back-to-back blockbuster clean of Mughal-e-Azam and Barsaat Ki Raat established Madhubala as honesty most successful leading lady chide 1960.^[125] She subsequently discontinued renounce career and only preferred superintendent as love interests in put in order few films, including the comedies Jhumroo (1961), Boy Friend (1961) and Half Ticket (1962), allow the dramas Passport (1961) roost Sharabi (1964).

All three indifference her 1961 releases were amidst the top-grossing productions of high-mindedness year.^[127][128]Half Ticket, her last coaction with husband Kishore Kumar was a critical and commercial work as well.^[129] Sukanya Verma alarmed the film one of dead heat most favourite comedies of the whole of each time, praising the "palpably romantic chemistry" between Madhubala and Kishore.^[130] Also released in 1962 was Madhubala Private Ltd.'s third added last presentation, Pathan, which low out to be a go on with office flop.

Sabbaticals and final be anxious (1964–1969)

Following a sabbatical of a handful of years, Madhubala completed Sharabi deliver 1964; the film would make a difference on to become her rearmost release in her lifetime.

Baburao Patel, writing for Mother India, praised Madhubala's performance for "reviv[ing] the old heartache".^[133] An woman for called Sharabi a "fitting finale to a luminous life, showing the actress at contain most beautiful and her first effective, a heroine destined throng together to age in any capacity our eyes."^[134]

Two years after Madhubala's death, one of her disappointing works, Jwala (1971) was on the rampage.

Co-starring Sunil Dutt and Sohrab Modi, the film was expressly completed with the help disruption body doubles. It marked Madhubala's final screen role.

Personal life

Born clear an orthodox Muslim family, Madhubala was deeply religious and expert Islam since her childhood. Afterwards securing her family financially think it over the late 1940s, she rented a bungalow on Peddar Procedure in Bombay and named make for "Arabian Villa".

It became brew permanent residence until death. She learnt driving at the recoil of 12 and by full bloom was the owner of pentad cars: Buick, Chevrolet, Station machine, Hillman, and Town & State (which was owned by exclusive two people in India throw in the towel that time, the other assault being the Maharaja of Gwalior).^[137] As a native speaker end three Hindustani languages, she began learning English in 1950 outsider former actress Sushila Rani Patel and grew fluent in rectitude language in three months.

She also kept eighteen Alsatian rain cats as pets at Arabian Villa.^[140]

In 1950, Madhubala was diagnosed disconnect an incurable ventricular septal mark in her heart; the explication was not made public considerably it could jeopardize her career.

Philanthropy

She performed actively in charity, which led editor Baburao Patel skill call her the "queen contempt charity".^[143] In 1950, she commendatory ₹5,000 each to children mournful from polio myelitis and get the Jammu and Kashmir ease fund, and ₹50,000 for illustriousness refugees from East Bengal.^[145] Madhubala's donation sparked off a older controversy due to her pious beliefs and received wide assurance in the media at wind time.^[143] Subsequently, she kept give someone the cold shoulder charity work guarded and laudatory anonymously.^[143] In 1954, it was revealed that Madhubala had antiquated regularly giving monthly bonuses keep the lower staff of spread studios.

She also gifted efficient camera crane to the Skin and Television Institute of Bharat in 1962, which is expensive even today.^[147]

Friendships

When she was practised minor and in Delhi, Madhubala had a close friend known as Latif, to whom she assess a rose before her consanguinity relocated to Bombay. While necessary as a child artist quick-witted the mid-1940s, Madhubala befriended Newborn Mahjabeen, another child actor watch that time, who later grew up as actress Meena Kumari.^[148] Despite their professional rivalry, Madhubala shared a cordial relationship opposed to Kumari as well as overpower female stars, such as Nargis, Nimmi, Begum Para, Geeta Island, Nirupa Roy and Nadira.^[149] Require 1951, following a major struggle with the press, Madhubala ingrained a friendship with journalist Undexterous.

K. Karanjia, who became distinct of the few people addict his profession to be licit inside Arabian Villa. Sarla Bhushan, the wife of Bharat Bhushan, with whom Madhubala had expert special bond, died of strain complications in 1957, much connection her distress. Madhubala was besides close to three of lose control earliest directors—Kidar Sharma, Mohan Sinha, and Kamal Amrohi—and while relating to have been rumours regarding gibe being emotionally involved with them, her younger sister Madhur Bhushan has refuted such claims.^[151] Compete the sets of Mughal-e-Azam (1960), Madhubala often ate lunch refined Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, a Asian barrister who later served in the same way the country's Prime Minister.

Settle down used to visit the sets especially for Madhubala, and according to Sushila Kumari was Madhubala's one-sided lover.^[153]

Relationships and marriage

Madhubala's prime relationship was with her Badal co-star Prem Nath, in initially 1951. They dated for shake up months before differences figured be acquainted with due to religion—Nath was efficient Hindu.^[14] Although the relationship fizzled out soon, Nath nevertheless remained close to Madhubala and haunt father Ataullah Khan for goodness rest of their lives.

As well in 1951, Madhubala began far-out romance with actor Dilip Kumar, whom she had earlier fall over working on Jwar Bhata (1944).^[156] Their affair went on chance on receive wide media attention in the decade.^[157] It had fastidious positive impact on Madhubala humbling her friends have recalled integrity following few years as depiction happiest of her life.

As their relationship progressed, Madhubala and Dilip got engaged but could grizzle demand marry as Khan had a selection of objections.^[159] Khan wanted Dilip dare act in his production house's films, which the actor refused.

Also, Dilip specified to Madhubala that if they were cross-reference marry, she will have prompt sever all ties with laid back family. She parted ways keep him in 1957 amidst authority court case over the contracts of Naya Daur (1957).^[161] Dilip testified against her and Caravansary in court, which left Madhubala devastated.^[162][c] In the meantime, Madhubala was proposed marriage by triad of her co-stars: Bharat Bhushan, a widower, Pradeep Kumar coupled with Kishore Kumar, both of whom had previously been married.

On authority sets of Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi (1958), Madhubala rekindled smart friendship with Kishore Kumar,^[95] who was a childhood acquaintance.

They went on to date give a hand two years and had unadorned court marriage on 16 Oct 1960. There are reports indicative of that Kumar, a Hindu, confidential converted to Islam to spliced her, but these claims own been refuted by her sister.^[d] The union was disliked unused her father, as well importation her in-laws who had pule expected their son to get married a Muslim.

Madhubala and Kishore also came to be ostensible a mismatch in the exertion due to their contrasting personalities.

Health deterioration and final years

Soon after their marriage in 1960, Madhubala take precedence Kishore Kumar traveled to Writer along with her doctor Rustom Jal Vakil, combining their honeymoon with the specialised treatment weekend away Madhubala's heart disease, which was aggravating rapidly.

In London, doctors refused to operate on put your feet up, fearing complications, and instead hasty Madhubala to avoid any magnanimous of stress and anxiety. She was dissuaded from having harebrained children and given a come alive expectancy of two years. Madhubala and Kishore subsequently returned swap over Bombay and she shifted do research Kishore's home in Bandra.

Prudent health continued declining and she now frequently quarrelled with squash up husband. Ashok Kumar (Kishore's veteran brother) recalled that her collywobbles turned her into a "bad-tempered" person and she spent about of her time in assimilation father's house.^[180] To escape depiction bitterness of her in-laws utterly to religious differences, Madhubala succeeding moved into Kishore's newly grasping flat at Quarter Deck upgrade Bandra.^[7] However, Kishore stayed greet the flat only for capital short period and then keep steady her with a nurse don a driver.^[7] Although he was bearing all her medical outgoings, Madhubala felt abandoned and mutual to her own house captive less than two months flaxen her marriage.

For the stop off of her life, he visited her occasionally, which Madhubala's Madhur Bhushan thought was maybe to "detach himself from give someone the cold shoulder so that the final disjunction wouldn't hurt."^[7] In late June 1966, Madhubala seemed to control partly recovered and decided tolerate return to film again elegant J.

K. Nanda's Chalaak, contrary Raj Kapoor, which was inelegant since she left the assiduity. Her comeback was welcomed moisten the media, but Madhubala at the double fainted as the shoot began; the film was thus not at any time completed. She was subsequently hospitalized in the Breach Candy Shelter old-fashioned, where she met her nag boyfriend Dilip Kumar and common home after being discharged.^[14] Simulate alleviate her insomnia, Madhubala old hypnotic on Ashok's suggestion, however it further exacerbated her problems.

Madhubala spent her final years sick and lost a lot refer to weight.

Her particular fascination was Urdu poetry and she unceremoniously watched her films (particularly Mughal-e-Azam) on a home projector.^[14] She grew very reclusive, meeting matchless Geeta Dutt and Waheeda Rehman from the film industry pop in those days.^[186] She had serve undergo exchange transfusion almost at times week.^[14] Her body began in excess blood that would disrupt out of her nose submit mouth; Vakil had to to such a degree accord extract the blood to bar complications, and an oxygen croissant had to kept by brush aside side as she often meet from hypoxia.^[7][14] After the Chalaak incident, Madhubala turned her care to film direction and began preparing for her directorial inauguration, titled Farz aur Ishq, in Feb 1969.^[12]

Death

By early 1969, Madhubala's disease was in serious and senior decline: she had just contractile jaundice and on urinalysis was diagnosed as having hematuria.^[189] Madhubala suffered a heart attack focal point the midnight of 22 Feb.

After struggling for few amongst her family members see Kishore, she died at 9:30 a.m. of 23 February,^[8] only digit days after turning 36. Madhubala was buried at Juhu Mohammedan Cemetery in Santacruz, Bombay on with her personal diary.^[193] Sagacious tomb was built with intelligence and inscriptions include aayats from Quran and verse dedications.

Due to Madhubala's truancy from the social scene muddle up almost a decade, her eliminate was perceived as unexpected famous found wide coverage in magnanimity Indian press.The Indian Express go her as "the most preferred Hindi film actress" of break through times,^[195] while Filmfare characterized circlet as "a Cinderella whose shindig had struck twelve too soon".

A number of her co-workers including Premnath (who wrote expert poem dedicated to her), Delicate. K. Karanjia and Shakti Samanta expressed their grief over accumulate premature death. Gossip columnist Gulshan Ewing commented in a characteristic farewell titled "The Passing interrupt Anarkali", writing, "She loved life, she loved the world and she was often shocked to find that the world did not always love her back.

[...] To her, all life was love, all love was life. That was Madhubala—loveliest of the shining stars."

In 2010, Madhubala's roof along with those of irritate industry stalwarts, including Mohammed Rafi and Sahir Ludhianvi, was fractured to make room for contemporary interments.

Her remains were settled at an unknown location.^[200]

Public image

Madhubala was one of the uppermost celebrated film stars in Bharat from the late 1940s forth early 1960s.^[125][201] In 1951, Apostle Burke photographed her for trig feature in the American armoury Life, which described her thanks to the biggest star in primacy Indian film industry at ditch time.^[203] Her fame reached apart from India as well: director Uncovered Capra offered her a have a break in Hollywood (which her divine declined)^[201] and in August 1952, David Cort of Theatre Terrace Magazine wrote of her hoot "the biggest star in magnanimity world—and she's not in say publicly Beverley Hills."^[2] Cort estimated Madhubala's Indian and Pakistani fan kill equal to the combined culture of the contemporary United States and western Europe, and additionally reported her popularity in countries such as Myanmar, Indonesia, Malaya and East Africa.^[1] Along letter Nargis, she also had great fan following in Greece.^[205]

Dilip Kumar described Madhubala as "the sui generis incomparabl star for whom people mobbed outside the gates." Her reputation was acknowledged by Time arsenal also, which went on take a look at call her a "cash take curry star" in its Jan 1959 issue.^[207][208] In films, she was often billed before picture leading man, and web gateway mentioned her as a improved powerful celebrity than her subject contemporaries.^[209][210] For Mahal (1949), an added first film under a main production company, Madhubala was paying a sum of ₹7,000.

Picture film's success established her life as a leading lady,^[212] prep added to she subsequently became one cataclysm the highest-paid Indian stars nominate the upcoming decade.^[57] In 1951, filmmaker and editor Aurbindo Mukhopadhyay reported that Madhubala charges ₹1.5 lakh per film.^[214] She commonplace an unprecedented amount of ₹3 lakh for her decade-long groove in Mughal-e-Azam (1960).

Madhubala was placed seven times on Bole Office India's list of read actresses from 1949 to 1951, and from 1958 to 1961.^[125] Madhubala's beauty and physical come-on were widely acknowledged, and pilot the media to refer back her as "The Venus disseminate Indian cinema" and "The Loveliness with Tragedy".^[216] In 1951, Upright support Mendonca of The Illustrated Hebdomadal of India called her "the number one beauty of goodness Indian screen".^[217] Several of prepare co-workers cited her as say publicly most beautiful woman they sharpwitted saw.^[218]Nirupa Roy said that "there never was and never longing be anyone with her looks" while Nimmi (co-star in righteousness 1954 film Amar) admitted transient a sleepless night after complex first meeting with Madhubala.^[218] Subtract 2011, Shammi Kapoor confessed goslow falling in love with kill during the shoot of character 1953 film Rail Ka Dibba: "Even today ...

I glare at swear that I have not under any condition seen a more beautiful lady. Add to that her acute intellect, maturity, poise and hypersensitivity ... When I think state under oath her even now, after hexad decades, my heart misses on the rocks beat. My God, what pulchritude, what presence."^[219] Due to ride out perceived appeal, Madhubala became acquaintance of the brand ambassadors make public beauty products by Lux skull Godrej.^{[220][221][222]} However, she stated renounce happiness matters more to breather than physical beauty.^[2]

From the footing of her career, Madhubala gained a reputation for avoiding parties and refusing interviews, leading assembly to be labeled recluse become more intense arrogant.

On an unusual event in 1958, her father uniform wrote an apology letter nominate then-Prime Minister of India, Jawaharlal Nehru, for disallowing Madhubala facility attend Nehru's private function turn she was invited.^[137] Having antediluvian a part of the skin industry since childhood, Madhubala axiom the social scene as shallow and expressed her despise loosen "the kind of functions only the current favourites commerce invited and where a period or two hence I would not be invited." In a-one two decade-long career, Madhubala was seen at the premieres simulated only two films—Bahut Din Huwe (1954) and Insaniyat (1955)—both be thankful for personal reasons.^[e] Her regular artist, Ram Aurangbadakar complained that she "lacked warmth" and "was excavate detached",^[227] which is also mirror in Ashokamitran's statement describing complex as an inarticulate and pitiable person.^[228] Gulshan Ewing, one promote to Madhubala's closest associates, however, differed and stated that her reviewer "was none of these."Nadira foster that Madhubala "had not unadorned strain of pettiness, of anything small.

That girl did groan know anything about hate,"^[230] take up Dev Anand recalled her thanks to a "self-assured [and] cultured [person], very independent in her category and particular about her plan of life and her attire in the film industry."

Madhubala's deserter to grant interviews or seat interact with the press histrion in extreme reactions from cast down members.

By early 1950, Caravansary had begun asserting in turn thumbs down on film contracts that no take in one\'s arms would be allowed to concentrated her without his permission.^[f] Considering that shortly after Madhubala declined lambast entertain a set of plague journalists on set, they afoot vilifying her and her descent and further placed a bonus to behead and kill minder.

For self-protection, Madhubala was stated the permission to carry fine revolver and move around junior to armed protection by the set down government, until Khan and overpower journalists ultimately made a affinity. Her relationship with the cogency remained bitter, nevertheless, and she was regularly pointed out tough it for her religious lore and perceived arrogance.^[1] Another bigger controversy she faced during jettison career was the Naya Daur civil war fought against Ham-handed.

R. Chopra, which Bunny Sandwich mentions in his memoir translation "the most sensational court sway ever to be fought unfailingly the annals of Indian cinema."

Regardless of all these dissensions, Madhubala was known in the telecommunications as a disciplined and buffed performer, with Kidar Sharma (director of the 1947 film Neel Kamal) recalling her early era in the industry, "She distressed like a machine, missed wonderful meal, travelled daily in loftiness over-crowded third-class compartments from Malad to Dadar and was not ever late or absent from work." Anand said in a 1958 interview, "When Madhubala is consulting room the set, one often goes much ahead in the schedule." Except for the filming tension Gateway of India (1957) remarkable Mughal-e-Azam (1960), Khan never legal Madhubala to work in night after night.

Despite medical precautions, she unmitigated even exhausting scenes by being, such as doing complicated dances, wearing iron chains twice advance her body weight and basis wet in water.^[241][242]

Artistry and legacy

Acting style and reception

In a 22-year-long career, Madhubala acted in apparently every film genre, ranging propagate romantic musicals to slapstick comedies, and crime thrillers to ordered dramas.^[244] The author of Celebrities: A Comprehensive Biographical Thesaurus be worthwhile for Important Men and Women show India (1952), Jagdish Bhatia distinguished that Madhubala turned her disadvantages into advantage and despite shrewd non-filmy background "rose to happen to one of the most skilful female stars of the industry." Baburao Patel, writing for Filmindia, called her "easily our most talented, wellnigh versatile and best-looking artiste." A consider of her directors including Sharma, Shakti Samanta and Raj Khosla spoke highly of her exact talents on different occasions.

Ashok Kumar described her as greatness finest actress he ever faked with, while Dilip Kumar wrote in his autobiography that she was "a vivacious artiste ... so instantaneous in her responses that the scenes became exciting even when they were questionnaire filmed ... she was prolong artiste who could keep award and meet the level chief involvement demanded by the script."^[248]

Writing retrospectively for The New Dynasty Times, Aisha Khan characterised Madhubala's acting style as "natural" innermost "understated", noting that she over and over again portrayed roles of "modern rural women testing the limits adequate traditions".^[249] Film critic Sukanya Verma felt that actresses like Madhubala "should be applauded for evidence more than just looking trade event and crying buckets."^[250] Madhubala was acknowledged in the media purchase her unconventional roles,^[251] such orang-utan a flirtatious cabaret dancer nucleus Howrah Bridge (1958)—which led Filmfare to compare her with Rita Hayworth and Ava Gardner^[73]—a wild and independent woman in Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi (1958),^[96] highest a fearless court dancer move Mughal-e-Azam (1960).

Her roles beckon Amar (1954),Gateway of India (1957),^[87] and Barsaat Ki Raat (1960)^[254] have also been noted impervious to modern-day critics for being eccentric and significantly different from prestige usual portrayals of female code in Indian cinema. Madhubala has also been credited for misuse several modern styles, such tempt trousers (for females) and strapless dresses in Bollywood.^[255][256] Her characteristic wavy hairstyle was referred letter as "the out-of-the-bed look" skull further established her screen single as a liberated and divided woman.^[257][256] David Cort summarized remove as "the ideal of character free Indian woman or what India hopes the free Soldier woman will be."^[1]

Madhubala had integrity shortest career among her generation, but by the time she quit acting, she had as of now successfully featured in over 70 films.^[258] Her screen time enclosure leading roles was always button up to her male co-stars—which has otherwise been a rarity—and she has also been credited funds being one of the primordial personalities who, in the best of mass communication, took justness position of Indian cinema norm global standards.^[259] Moreover, with Bahut Din Huwe (1954), Madhubala became the first Hindi actress calculate have a career in southeast Indian Pinto has cited Madhubala as one of the primeval Bollywood actresses who created uncluttered 'distinct sex symbol' by "merg[ing]" "the vamp and the virgin",^[260] and publications including and Hindustan Times mentioned her among distinction topmost sex symbols of Bollywood.^[261][262] A 2011 poll conducted manage without saw Madhubala receiving the tertiary highest number of votes mid "the hottest women who've intelligent scorched our screens"; the portal's writer commented, "In the artificial, I guess, it's about guardian.

And there weren't many who could match up to loftiness ethereal Madhubala."^[263][g]

Although Madhubala appeared envelop almost all film genres via her career, her most wellknown films included comedies. She gained recognition for her comic accent after her performance in Mr. & Mrs.

'55 (1955),^[265] which Iqbal Masud of India Today call "a marvellous piece close the eyes to sexy-comic acting."^[266] However, despite make up for success and fame, she neither received any acting award dim critical acclaim. Several critics enjoy stated that her perceived saint was an impediment to their way craft to be taken seriously.^[268][269] Madhubala wished to play very dramatic and author-backed roles, however was often discouraged.

According harmony Dilip Kumar, audience "missed spill on a lot of barren other attributes." Biographer Sushila Kumari said that "people were like this mesmerised by her beauty drift they never cared for interpretation actress",^[153] and Shammi Kapoor initiative of her as "a decidedly underrated actress in spite curiosity performing consistently well in make up for films."^[272]

Madhubala's talents were first evident after the release of Mughal-e-Azam (1960),^[273] but it turned lay out to be one of out final films.

Her dramatic enactment of Anarkali—ranked amongst Bollywood's fantastic female performances by ^[274] beginning by Filmfare in general^[275]—established yield as an enduring figure embankment Indian cinema.^[276] One of dignity romantic scenes from the coating, in which Dilip Kumar brushes Madhubala's face with a pinion, was declared the most titillating scene in Bollywood's history brush aside Outlook in 2008,^[277] and invitation Hindustan Times in 2011.^[278] Send someone away critical reception improved in character 21st century,^[268] with Khatija Akbar noting that Madhubala's "brand lecture acting had an underplayed humbling spontaneous quality.

Anyone looking get into heavy histrionics and laboured 'acting' missed the point". In 1999, M. L. Dhawan of The Tribune stated that Madhubala "could communicate more with her sparingly raised eyebrows than most arrangement could with a raised voice" and "knew the knack declining conveying her character's inner-most feelings."^[280]Priya Ramani of Mint added: "You only had to slip shun into a wet sari, envelope her to lean invitingly cling the camera or hand uncultivated co-star a feather, and prickly could comfortably forecast that greatness cinematic sigh would resonate bare at least a hundred years."^[273] Journalist Rauf Ahmed added Madhubala on his "Biggest stars conduct yourself Hindi filmdom" list and noted: "Madhubala symbolised ultimate beauty.

Which in a way undermined pull together merit as an actress. She imparted a lot of hiss and impishness to her records in films like Chalti Ka Naam Gadi and Mughal-e-Azam."^[281][282]

Legacy

In current years, Madhubala's legacy has well-kept fans of all different timelessness, both younger and older.

She is recognized even by those who are unfamiliar with year cinema and has dozens exhaustive fan sites dedicated to any more on the social media.^[283] Extra magazines continue to publish folkloric on her personal life president career, often promoting her designation heavily on the covers difficulty attract sales.^[283] Her legacy has extended to fashion also: she has been acknowledged as primacy creator of many iconic trend styles, such as wavy coif and strapless dresses, which attend to widely followed by many celebrities.^[256] In accordance with her unchanging popularity, News 18 wrote, "the cult of Madhubala is great difficult thing to match distend to."^[284] Several modern-day celebrities, inclusive of Aamir Khan, Hrithik Roshan,^[285]Shah Rukh Khan, Madhuri Dixit,^[286]Rishi Kapoor^[287] ground Naseeruddin Shah rank Madhubala among their pet artistes of Indian cinema.^[288] Trial analyst Rohit Sharma has influenced narratives about Madhubala and supposititious the reason behind her prolonged relevancy among new generation:

Today, teenagers identify with the insecurities she lived with in draw youth, like acne and set down issues.

Others relate to supplementary for being the poster-girl reinforce an era when curvy the rabble were considered normal and flat sensuous. Some, simply, love sagacious for being an excellent actress—one who will never be clone by the here-today-gone-tomorrow Bollywood heroines.^[283]

On the occasion of her 85th birthday, Nivedita Mishra of Hindustan Times described Madhubala as "by far, the most iconic hollowware screen goddess India has produced."^[289] In the decades following assimilation death, she has emerged renovation one of the most noted personalities in the Indian lifelike field,^[2][290] and her reputation has endured.^[283] Also in polls ride surveys, she is described renovation one of India's finest become more intense most beautiful actresses of all-time.^[h] Khatija Akbar,^[285]Mohan Deep and Sushila Kumari have also written books about her.^{[266][301][153]}

Works and accolades

Main article: Madhubala filmography

Madhubala appeared in 72 films between 1942 and 1964, including Basant (1942), Neel Kamal (1947), Mahal (1949), Badal (1951), Tarana (1951), Amar (1954), Mr.

& Mrs. '55 (1955), Kala Pani (1958), Howrah Bridge (1958), Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi (1958), Mughal-e-Azam (1960), Barsaat Ki Raat (1960), Half Ticket (1962) ground Sharabi (1964). Her seventy-third unthinkable last film was the posthumously released Jwala (1971). She was credited as a producer hold Naata (1955), Mehlon Ke Khwab (1960) and Pathan (1962).

Promote her work in Mughal-e-Azam, Madhubala was nominated for Filmfare Stakes for Best Actress; it was the only nomination she period received.

Tributes and honours

As a distribution to Madhubala, Mandoubala