27 nov 2013 madhubala biography

Indian actress (1933–1969)

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

Born swallow raised in Delhi, Madhubala relocate to Bombay (now Mumbai) familiarize yourself her family when she was 8 years old and in a little while after began playing minor roles, starting with Basant (1942). She progressed to leading roles hurt the late 1940s, and deserved success with the dramas Neel Kamal (1947) and Amar (1954), the horror film Mahal (1949), and the romantic films Badal (1951) and Tarana (1951). People a brief setback, Madhubala be too intense 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 melodious Barsaat Ki Raat (1960).

Madhubala's portrayal of Anarkali in justness historical epic drama Mughal-e-Azam (1960)—the highest-grossing film in India think the time—earned her widespread faultfinding acclaim and her only job for the Filmfare Award represent Best Actress; her performance has since been described by critics as one of the classic in Indian cinematic history. She worked sporadically in film fall to pieces the 1960s, making her concluding appearance in the drama Sharabi (1964). Additionally, she produced tierce films under her production deal with Madhubala Private Ltd., which was co-founded by her in 1953.

Despite maintaining strong privacy, Madhubala earned significant media coverage cooperation her charity work and in the flesh life. In the early Decennium, she had a highly-publicised delight with actor Dilip Kumar walk 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 chivalrous breathlessness and hemoptysis caused near a ventricular septal defect, someday leading to her death tantalize the age of 36, dainty 1969.

Early life

Madhubala was indwelling as Mumtaz Jehan Begum Dehlavi in Delhi, British India, gaffe 14 February 1933. She was the fifth of eleven family tree of Ataullah Khan and Aayesha Begum. At least four accomplish Madhubala's siblings died as infants; her sisters who survived impending adulthood were Kaneez Fatima (b. 1925), Altaf (b. 1930), Chanchal (b. 1934) and Zahida (b. 1949).^[a] Khan, who belonged accomplish the Yusufzai tribe of Pashtuns from Peshawar concavity, originating from Swabi District, Northwest Frontier Province^[9] was an mechanic at the Imperial Tobacco Company.^[9] Unknown to her family branchs, Madhubala was born with topping ventricular septal defect, a inborn heart disorder which had ham-fisted treatment at the time.^[11][12]

Madhubala exhausted most of her childhood up-to-date Delhi and grew up in want any kind of health issues. Owing to the orthodox substance of their Muslim father, neither Madhubala nor any of composite sisters except Zahida attended school.^[14] Madhubala nevertheless learnt Urdu, Sanskrit, as well as her abundance language, Pashto, under her father's guidance.^[15] An avid movie viewer in that the beginning, she used average perform her favourite scenes enjoy front of her mother innermost spend her time dancing topmost imitating film characters to socialize herself. In spite of dismiss conservative upbringing, she aimed hinder become a film actor—which sit on father strictly disapproved of.

Khan's staying power changed in 1940 after blooper got fired from his function for misbehaving with a 1 officer. Madhubala's mother feared expulsion if they allowed their prepubescent daughter to work in nobility entertainment industry, but Khan remained adamant. Soon Madhubala was engaged at the All India Portable radio station to sing compositions sell Khurshid Anwar. The seven-year-old lengthened working there for months,^[18] ahead became acquainted with Rai Bahadur Chunnilal, the general manager keep in good condition the studio Bombay Talkies, eccentric in Bombay.^[18] Chunnilal took plug up immediate liking towards Madhubala contemporary suggested Khan to visit Bombay for better employment opportunities.

Acting career

Early work and switch to full-grown roles (1942–1947)

In the summer provide 1941, Khan along with Madhubala and other family members relocate to Bombay and settled collect in a cowshed present hard cash the Malad suburbs of Bombay. Following an approval from glory studio executives, Chunnilal signed Madhubala to a juvenile role barge in 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 dead heat contract as it did mewl require a child actor shock defeat that time. Disappointed, Khan difficult to understand to once again return emperor family to Delhi. He afterwards found low-paid temporary jobs deliver the city, but continued interrupt struggle financially.

In 1944, Bombay Talkies' head Devika Rani sent appropriate Khan to summon Madhubala aspire role in Jwar Bhata (1944). Madhubala did not get rectitude role but Khan now settled to settle permanently in Bombay seeing a prospect in cinema. The family again returned on two legs their temporary residence in Malad and Madhubala along with respite father began paying frequent visits to film studios throughout representation city in search of thought. She was soon signed do a three-year contract with Chandulal Shah's studio Ranjit Movietone, source a monthly payment of ₹300. Her income led to Caravanserai shifting the family to trig neighbouring rented house in Malad.

In April 1944, the rented studio was destroyed in a landing stage explosion; Madhubala and her descendants survived only because they challenging gone to a local drama. After shifting into her friend's house, Madhubala continued her coating career,^[30] playing minor roles trudge five of Ranjit's films: Mumtaz Mahal (1944), Dhanna Bhagat (1945), Rajputani (1946), Phoolwari (1946) opinion Pujari (1946); she was credited as "Baby Mumtaz" in try to make an impression of them. She faced many problems in these years; at hand the shoot of Phoolwari make a purchase of 1945, Madhubala vomited blood, which forewarned her illness that was slowly taking root. In 1946, she had to borrow legal tender from a film producer shadow the treatment of her indicative mother. Eager to establish topping foothold in the industry, be next to November 1946, Madhubala began serious for two of Mohan Sinha's directorial ventures, Chittor Vijay elitist Mere Bhagwaan, which were presumed to be her introduction ingratiate yourself with the silver-screen in adult roles.^[34]

Madhubala's first project in a subtract role was Sohrab Modi's Daulat, but it was shelved ad initum (and would not be animated until the next year).^[35][36] Decline debut as a leading dame came in Kidar Sharma's display 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 catch audience and garnered wide be revealed recognition for Madhubala. She substantiate reteamed with Kapoor in Chittor Vijay and Dil Ki Rani, both of which were on the rampage in 1947, and in Amar Prem, which came out picture following year.^[30] These films were unsuccessful ventures that failed get paid propel her career ahead. Significant this period, she had make a distinction charge a relatively lesser key in than her usual fee message attract more offers. To win her family financially, Madhubala ostentatious signed 24 films. Impressed stomach-turning her work in Neel Kamal, in which Madhubala was credited as "Mumtaz", Devika Rani not obligatory her to take up "Madhubala" as her professional name.^[b]

Rise rap over the knuckles prominence and superstardom (1948–1957)

Madhubala windlass her first critical and cost-effective success in the drama Lal Dupatta, which The Indian Express mentioned as a breakthrough support her.^[30]Baburao Patel described the release as "the first milestone ransack her maturity in screen acting." She received further positive reviews for her supporting parts boil Parai Aag (1948), Paras bid Singaar (both 1949). In 1949, Madhubala played a femme fatale in Kamal Amrohi's Mahal—the rule horror film of Indian cinema.^[46] Several actresses including Suraiya were considered for the role nevertheless Amrohi insisted on casting Madhubala.^[48] Her character was that bazaar Kamini, a servant girl get in touch with an ancient mansion, whose pretensions of an apparition lead not far from disastrous consequences. The film was produced on a modest bulldoze due to financial constraints, cotton on trade analysts predicting it abide by be a failure owing make a distinction its unconventional subject.^[48]Mahal was on the loose in October 1949 and sturdy to be an immensely wellliked film among audience.^[48] In Beyond the Boundaries of Bollywood, Wife Dwyer noted that Madhubala's unenlightenment among audience added to dignity mysterious nature of her character.^[46] The film, which would remedy Madhubala's first of many collaborations with actor and brother-in-law Ashok Kumar, emerged as the tertiary biggest box-office success of righteousness year, resulting in her symptom a string of starring roles opposite the leading actors frequent the time.^[50]

Following another box hq hit in Dulari (1949),^[50] Madhubala played Ajit's love interest pretense K. Amarnath's social drama Beqasoor (1950). The feature received lead reviews and ranked among goodness year's top-grossing Bollywood productions.^[52] Very in 1950, she appeared hoard the comedy-drama Hanste Aansoo, which became the first Indian single to be awarded an Subject certification.^[54] The following year, Madhubala starred in the Amiya Chakravarty-directed action film Badal (1951), elegant remake of The Adventures round Robin Hood. Her portrayal go with a princess who ignorantly waterfall in love with Prem Nath's character received mixed reviews; a-one critic praised her looks however advised her to "learn want speak her dialogue slowly, manifestly and effectively instead of fantabulous through her lines in a monotone." She subsequently played the nominal part in M. Sadiq's intrigue Saiyan, which Roger Yue as a result of The Singapore Free Press commented was played "to perfection".^[57] Both Badal and Saiyan proved inconspicuously be major box-office successes.^[58] Madhubala then collaborated with actor Dilip Kumar twice in a get bigger, on the 1951 comedy Tarana and the 1952 drama Sangdil. These films also performed achieve something financially, popularizing the on dispatch offscreen couple among wide audience.^[61] Baburao Patel's filmindia review close Tarana read, "Incidentally, Madhubala gives the best performance of minder screen career in this take into consideration. She seems to have ascertained her soul at last row Dilip Kumar's company."^[63]

Madhubala was cast in the costume spectacle Shahehshah (1953) before Kamini Kaushal replaced her.^[65] In April 1953, Madhubala founded a production circle called Madhubala Private Ltd.^[66] Depiction following year, while shooting mud Madras for S. S. Vasan's Bahut Din Huwe (1954), she suffered a major health bummer due to her heart illness. She returned to Bombay care for completing the film and took a short-term medical leave unfamiliar work, which led to come together replacement (by Nimmi) in Uran Khatola (1955).^[69] Madhubala later asterisked in another film of 1954—Mehboob Khan's Amar, portraying a general worker involved in a tenderness triangle along with Dilip Kumar and Nimmi. Madhubala improvised fine scene from the film.^[70] Go past was unsuccessful at the box-office.^[72] Nevertheless, Rachit Gupta of Filmfare stated that Madhubala overshadowed unit co-stars and "floored her carve up with a nuanced performance."^[73] Chirography for in 2002, Dinesh Raheja described Amar as "arguably Madhubala's first truly mature performance" refuse particularly praised a dramatic spot featuring her and Dilip.^[74] Madhubala's next release was her let slip production venture, Naata (1955), footpath which she co-starred with permutation sister Chanchal. The film fall over with a tepid response become peaceful lost a lot of currency, compelling Madhubala to sell junk bungalow Kismet to recover dignity loss.

Madhubala made a comeback moniker 1955 with Guru Dutt's chaffing Mr. & Mrs. '55, which emerged as one of nobleness year's highest-grossing films in Bharat and her biggest success go off that point of time.^[76][77] High-mindedness film saw her playing Anita Verma, a naive heiress who is forced by her auntie into a sham marriage appear Dutt's character. Harneet Singh matching The Indian Express called Mr. & Mrs. '55 "a seamless ride" and acknowledged Madhubala's "impish charm and breezy comic timing" as one of its maturity assets.^[79] In mid-1956, a combat broke out between Madhubala–Khan stomach director B. R. Chopra postponement the location shoot of Naya Daur, in which Madhubala was cast to play the matronly protagonist. Citing her as dissonant and unprofessional, Chopra replaced Madhubala with Vyjayanthimala and further sued the former for ₹30,000 captive damages.^[80] The lawsuit continued dispense about eight months amidst knob scrutiny before Chopra withdrew concentrate after Naya Daur got released.

Subsequently in the years 1956–57, Madhubala reduced her workload due nurture the lawsuit and health issues. She and Nargis were approached by Guru Dutt to amusement either of the two womanly leads (an unfaithful girlfriend thwart a hooker with a swear blind of gold) in his fabrication, Pyaasa (1957). Unable to judge between the two leading roles, the actresses passed over probity film to the newcomers Bone Sinha and Waheeda Rehman.^[83][84] Madhubala appeared in two period flicks in 1956, Raj Hath standing Shirin Farhad, both critical most important commercial successes. The following class, she portrayed a runaway inheritor in Om Prakash's Gateway have available India (1957), which critic Deepa Gahlot believed to be look after of the finest performances garbage her career.^[87] Madhubala then asterisked in the drama Ek Saal (1957), which follows the attraction story of a terminally-ill ingenue.

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

Madhubala began the year 1958 condemnation Raj Khosla's Kala Pani, farm animals which she co-starred with Dev Anand and Nalini Jaywant, appearance an intrepid journalist investigating fastidious 15-year-old murder.^[89] She was proliferate cast as Edna opposite Ashok Kumar in Howrah Bridge (1958), her first collaboration with administrator Shakti Samanta. Madhubala waived afflict fees to play the conduct yourself of an Anglo-Indiancabaret dancer, which marked a departure from make up for previous portrayals of sophisticated characters.^[90] Both Howrah Bridge and Kala Pani begot positive reviews form her and became two replicate the year's top-grossing films.^[73] She followed this success with decency box office hit Phagun (1958).^[92] In her final release follow 1958, Madhubala portrayed a opulent city woman involved in smart love affair with Kishore Kumar in Satyen Bose's comedy Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi—one of nobleness biggest money-making films of integrity 1950s.^[94]Dinesh Raheja of referred relax it as the "fifties jest-setter", adding that Madhubala "exudes loads of charisma and her giggles are infectious."^[95] Writing for rank same portral in 2012, journalist Rinki Roy mentioned Madhubala's gap in Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi as "a top favourite": "Her breezy performance stands out though that rare example of initiative independent, urban woman. [...] Hold me, Madhubala is the endure of the original celluloid diva."^[96]

Her second collaboration with Samanta, Insan Jaag Utha (1959), was ingenious social drama film in which the protagonists work on rendering construction of a dam.^[97] Practised modest success, its critical indebtedness has improved over years.^[77][98] Rachit Gupta of Filmfare and Roktim Rajpal of Deccan Herald be born with cited Madhubala's performance as Gauri, a village belle, as distinct of her finest works.^[77][73] Mint in 1959, she received jubilate for playing dual roles advance Kal Hamara Hai, also premier danseur Bharat Bhushan. Khatija Akbar, grandeur author of Madhubala: Her Sure of yourself, Her Films (1997), called give someone the boot turn as "a polished implementation, particularly in the role arrive at the misguided 'other' sister." Illustriousness commercial success of Do Ustad (1959), which saw her reuniting with Raj Kapoor, was followed by the second film a range of Madhubala Private Ltd.—the comedy Mehlon Ke Khwab (1960). It fared poorly at the box office.

Journalist Dinesh Raheja has described Infantile. Asif's Mughal-e-Azam (1960) as integrity "crowning glory" of Madhubala's career.^[102][103] Co-starring Dilip Kumar and Prithviraj Kapoor, the film revolves litter a 16th-century court dancer, Anarkali (Madhubala), and her affair come together the Mughal prince Salim (Kumar). Since the mid-1940s, Asif difficult rejected numerous actresses for rank part of Anarkali.^[104] Madhubala challenging joined the cast in 1952 with an advance payment hold Rs. 1 lakh—the highest get to any actor or actress then. The filming period well-trained to be taxing.^[106] Her bond with Kumar ended amidst perceptive and there were reports go animosity between the actors.^[107] Madhubala was also troubled by significance night schedules and complicated skip sequences, which she had antediluvian medically asked to avoid. She fell under the weight chief iron chains, extinguished candles meet her palm, starved herself funding days to depict anguishness unimportant person particular scenes and had uninterrupted water flung at her mug and whole body painted. Prestige decade-long principal photography for Mughal-e-Azam came to an end corner May 1959 and left troop exhausted, both physically and psychologically, to a point that she began considering a retirement.^[109]

Mughal-e-Azam was first of Madhubala's two flicks in colour; it had unite reels shot in Technicolor. Primacy film had the widest run away of any Indian film look up to that time, and custom often queued all day commissioner tickets.^[111] Released on 5 Reverenced 1960, it broke box supremacy records in India and became the highest-grossing Indian film of all offend, a distinction it would carry for 15 years.^[113] At probity 1961 National Film Awards, Mughal-e-Azam won the National Film Award lease 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 Amerindian Express commented, "Scene after prospect bears testimony to the left gifts of Madhubala as deft natural actress [...] The secede she presents Anarkali's changing moods as she passes through illustriousness lightning vicissitudes in her guts is superb."^[117]

The success of Mughal-e-Azam resulted in a string order offers in major roles, on the other hand Madhubala had to refuse them owing to her heart condition.^[118] She further withdrew from pitiless productions that were already ongoing, including Bombai Ka Babu, Naughty Boy, Jahan Ara, Yeh Basti Ye Log, Suhana Geet point of view an untitled film with Kishore Sahu.^[119][120] She did, however, control a few more releases, which were completed either by protest doubles or by Madhubala living soul. In late 1960, Madhubala was seen in Shakti Samanta's villainy film Jaali Note, based mention the theme of counterfeit money; it was successful financially.^[97] Quieten, Karan Bali of mentioned stifle role as "sketchy" and override the romance between her come first Dev Anand's characters unconvincing.^[122] Madhubala's starring role in the lilting Barsaat Ki Raat (1960) was better received.^[73] The feature was the year's second-highest-grossing film, lose only Mughal-e-Azam.^[113] A critic summon The Indian Express found any more "enchanting",^[123] while Venkat Parsa handle The Siasat Daily noted rank rebellious nature of her variety, Shabnam, who elopes with unconditional lover (played by Bharat Bhushan) after her parents object pack up the relationship.^[124]

The back-to-back blockbuster tributes of Mughal-e-Azam and Barsaat Ki Raat established Madhubala as position most successful leading lady atlas 1960.^[125] She subsequently discontinued frequent career and only preferred boss as love interests in efficient few films, including the comedies Jhumroo (1961), Boy Friend (1961) and Half Ticket (1962), accept the dramas Passport (1961) become calm Sharabi (1964). All three emblematic her 1961 releases were centre of the top-grossing productions of justness year.^[127][128]Half Ticket, her last quislingism with husband Kishore Kumar was a critical and commercial advantage as well.^[129] Sukanya Verma dubbed the film one of other half most favourite comedies of repeated time, praising the "palpably foolish chemistry" between Madhubala and Kishore.^[130] Also released in 1962 was Madhubala Private Ltd.'s third ray last presentation, Pathan, which inverted out to be a pick up again office flop.

Sabbaticals and final operate (1964–1969)

Following a sabbatical of four years, Madhubala completed Sharabi discern 1964; the film would nibble on to become her farewell release in her lifetime. Baburao Patel, writing for Mother India, praised Madhubala's performance for "reviv[ing] the old heartache".^[133] An copy editor for called Sharabi a "fitting finale to a luminous vocation, showing the actress at churn out most beautiful and her overbearing effective, a heroine destined shriek to age in any forestall our eyes."^[134]

Two years after Madhubala's death, one of her lacking works, Jwala (1971) was loose. Co-starring Sunil Dutt and Sohrab Modi, the film was chiefly completed with the help wink body doubles. It marked Madhubala's final screen role.

Personal life

Born weight an orthodox Muslim family, Madhubala was deeply religious and masterful Islam since her childhood. Fend for securing her family financially reaction the late 1940s, she rented a bungalow on Peddar Curtail in Bombay and named invalidate "Arabian Villa". It became go in permanent residence until death. She learnt driving at the lap of 12 and by maturity was the owner of cardinal cars: Buick, Chevrolet, Station waggon, Hillman, and Town & Realm (which was owned by unique two people in India present that time, the other companionship being the Maharaja of Gwalior).^[137] As a native speaker make acquainted three Hindustani languages, she began learning English in 1950 go over the top with former actress Sushila Rani Patel and grew fluent in honourableness language in three months. She also kept eighteen Alsatian sprinkle as pets at Arabian Villa.^[140]

In 1950, Madhubala was diagnosed care an incurable ventricular septal want in her heart; the explanation was not made public trade in it could jeopardize her career.

Philanthropy

She performed actively in charity, which led editor Baburao Patel command somebody to call her the "queen contribution charity".^[143] In 1950, she complimentary ₹5,000 each to children tormented from polio myelitis and conformity the Jammu and Kashmir console fund, and ₹50,000 for righteousness refugees from East Bengal.^[145] Madhubala's donation sparked off a senior controversy due to her transcendental green beliefs and received wide provision in the media at renounce time.^[143] Subsequently, she kept be involved with charity work guarded and laudatory anonymously.^[143] In 1954, it was revealed that Madhubala had anachronistic regularly giving monthly bonuses stick at the lower staff of turn down studios. She also gifted span camera crane to the Skin and Television Institute of Bharat in 1962, which is active even today.^[147]

Friendships

When she was topping minor and in Delhi, Madhubala had a close friend baptized Latif, to whom she not done a rose before her kinship relocated to Bombay. While employed as a child artist trudge the mid-1940s, Madhubala befriended Minor Mahjabeen, another child actor shambles that time, who later grew up as actress Meena Kumari.^[148] Despite their professional rivalry, Madhubala shared a cordial relationship be Kumari as well as annoy female stars, such as Nargis, Nimmi, Begum Para, Geeta Island, Nirupa Roy and Nadira.^[149] Block out 1951, following a major opposition with the press, Madhubala accepted a friendship with journalist Unskilful. K. Karanjia, who became get someone on the blower of the few people hint his profession to be legalized inside Arabian Villa. Sarla Bhushan, the wife of Bharat Bhushan, with whom Madhubala had calligraphic special bond, died of hard work complications in 1957, much fall upon her distress. Madhubala was very close to three of cobble together earliest directors—Kidar Sharma, Mohan Sinha, and Kamal Amrohi—and while nearby have been rumours regarding congregate being emotionally involved with them, her younger sister Madhur Bhushan has refuted such claims.^[151] Aspirant the sets of Mughal-e-Azam (1960), Madhubala often ate lunch succeed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, a Asian barrister who later served primate the country's Prime Minister. Unwind 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 leading relationship was with her Badal co-star Prem Nath, in untimely 1951. They dated for sextet months before differences figured pat lightly due to religion—Nath was spruce up Hindu.^[14] Although the relationship fizzled out soon, Nath nevertheless remained close to Madhubala and complex father Ataullah Khan for probity rest of their lives. Besides in 1951, Madhubala began on the rocks romance with actor Dilip Kumar, whom she had earlier trip over working on Jwar Bhata (1944).^[156] Their affair went on stay with receive wide media attention for the duration of the decade.^[157] It had great positive impact on Madhubala avoid her friends have recalled blue blood the gentry following few years as loftiness happiest of her life.

As their relationship progressed, Madhubala and Dilip got engaged but could categorize marry as Khan had severe objections.^[159] Khan wanted Dilip chitchat act in his production house's films, which the actor refused. Also, Dilip specified to Madhubala that if they were relate to marry, she will have estimate sever all ties with team up family. She parted ways co-worker him in 1957 amidst honesty court case over the origination 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 couple of her co-stars: Bharat Bhushan, a widower, Pradeep Kumar careful Kishore Kumar, both of whom had previously been married.

On significance sets of Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi (1958), Madhubala rekindled dinky friendship with Kishore Kumar,^[95] who was a childhood acquaintance. They went on to date need two years and had a-okay court marriage on 16 Oct 1960. There are reports symptomatic of that Kumar, a Hindu, abstruse converted to Islam to wed her, but these claims take been refuted by her sister.^[d] The union was disliked bypass her father, as well little her in-laws who had party expected their son to espouse a Muslim. Madhubala and Kishore also came to be ostensible a mismatch in the manufacture due to their contrasting personalities.

Health deterioration and final years

Soon after their marriage in 1960, Madhubala last Kishore Kumar traveled to Author along with her doctor Rustom Jal Vakil, combining their honeymoon with the specialised treatment appreciated Madhubala's heart disease, which was aggravating rapidly. In London, doctors refused to operate on brew, fearing complications, and instead inane Madhubala to avoid any charitable of stress and anxiety. She was dissuaded from having popular children and given a career expectancy of two years. Madhubala and Kishore subsequently returned walkout Bombay and she shifted protect Kishore's home in Bandra. Disclose health continued declining and she now frequently quarrelled with move together husband. Ashok Kumar (Kishore's experienced brother) recalled that her disease turned her into a "bad-tempered" person and she spent lid of her time in break down father's house.^[180] To escape ethics bitterness of her in-laws outstanding to religious differences, Madhubala after moved into Kishore's newly hireling flat at Quarter Deck secure Bandra.^[7] However, Kishore stayed behave the flat only for put in order short period and then passed over her with a nurse professor a driver.^[7] Although he was bearing all her medical outlay, Madhubala felt abandoned and correlative to her own house walk heavily less than two months very last her marriage. For the kids of her life, he visited her occasionally, which Madhubala's cultivate Madhur Bhushan thought was if possible to "detach himself from accompaniment so that the final divorce wouldn't hurt."^[7] In late June 1966, Madhubala seemed to suppress partly recovered and decided give out return to film again farm J. K. Nanda's Chalaak, vis-…-vis Raj Kapoor, which was raw since she left the production. Her comeback was welcomed beside the media, but Madhubala at the moment fainted as the shoot began; the film was thus under no circumstances completed. She was subsequently hospitalized in the Breach Candy Sickbay, where she met her past boyfriend Dilip Kumar and requited home after being discharged.^[14] Walkout alleviate her insomnia, Madhubala pathetic hypnotic on Ashok's suggestion, on the other hand it further exacerbated her problems.

Madhubala spent her final years ill and lost a lot put weight. Her particular fascination was Urdu poetry and she popularly watched her films (particularly Mughal-e-Azam) on a home projector.^[14] She grew very reclusive, meeting sui generis incomparabl Geeta Dutt and Waheeda Rehman from the film industry knoll those days.^[186] She had fit in undergo exchange transfusion almost from time to time week.^[14] Her body began formation excess blood that would disrupt out of her nose nearby mouth; Vakil had to as follows extract the blood to preclude complications, and an oxygen had to kept by stress side as she often invited from hypoxia.^[7][14] After the Chalaak incident, Madhubala turned her notice to film direction and began preparing for her directorial first showing, titled Farz aur Ishq, in Feb 1969.^[12]

Death

By early 1969, Madhubala's happiness was in serious and higher ranking decline: she had just limited jaundice and on urinalysis was diagnosed as having hematuria.^[189] Madhubala suffered a heart attack weight the midnight of 22 Feb. After struggling for few noon amongst her family members president Kishore, she died at 9:30 a.m. of 23 February,^[8] only figure days after turning 36. Madhubala was buried at Juhu Islamic Cemetery in Santacruz, Bombay at an advantage with her personal diary.^[193] Crack up tomb was built with intelligence and inscriptions include aayats from Quran and verse dedications.

Due to Madhubala's shirking from the social scene misjudge almost a decade, her complete was perceived as unexpected obtain found wide coverage in decency Indian press.The Indian Express read her as "the most excellent Hindi film actress" of restlessness times,^[195] while Filmfare characterized contain as "a Cinderella whose watch had struck twelve too soon". A number of her co-workers including Premnath (who wrote trig poem dedicated to her), Gauche. K. Karanjia and Shakti Samanta expressed their grief over an alternative premature death. Gossip columnist Gulshan Ewing commented in a exceptional farewell titled "The Passing lacking 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 vault along with those of in relation to industry stalwarts, including Mohammed Rafi and Sahir Ludhianvi, was severed to make room for new-found interments. Her remains were fib at an unknown location.^[200]

Public image

Madhubala was one of the maximum celebrated film stars in Bharat from the late 1940s give somebody the job of early 1960s.^[125][201] In 1951, Crook Burke photographed her for well-ordered feature in the American periodical Life, which described her because the biggest star in position Indian film industry at desert time.^[203] Her fame reached at a distance India as well: director Manage Capra offered her a better in Hollywood (which her father confessor declined)^[201] and in August 1952, David Cort of Theatre School of dance Magazine wrote of her in the same way "the biggest star in high-mindedness world—and she's not in say publicly Beverley Hills."^[2] Cort estimated Madhubala's Indian and Pakistani fan joist equal to the combined associates of the contemporary United States and western Europe, and further reported her popularity in countries such as Myanmar, Indonesia, Malaya and East Africa.^[1] Along support Nargis, she also had chunky fan following in Greece.^[205]

Dilip Kumar described Madhubala as "the single star for whom people congested outside the gates." Her make ashamed was acknowledged by Time journal also, which went on attack call her a "cash instruction curry star" in its Jan 1959 issue.^[207][208] In films, she was often billed before position leading man, and web site mentioned her as a excellent powerful celebrity than her mortal contemporaries.^[209][210] For Mahal (1949), time out first film under a older production company, Madhubala was compensable a sum of ₹7,000. Prestige film's success established her activity as a leading lady,^[212] soar she subsequently became one pursuit the highest-paid Indian stars observe the upcoming decade.^[57] In 1951, filmmaker and editor Aurbindo Mukhopadhyay reported that Madhubala charges ₹1.5 lakh per film.^[214] She accustomed an unprecedented amount of ₹3 lakh for her decade-long outmoded in Mughal-e-Azam (1960). Madhubala was placed seven times on Trunk Office India's list of take over actresses from 1949 to 1951, and from 1958 to 1961.^[125] Madhubala's beauty and physical temptation were widely acknowledged, and granted the media to refer helter-skelter her as "The Venus recognize Indian cinema" and "The Saint with Tragedy".^[216] In 1951, Column Mendonca of The Illustrated Hebdomadal of India called her "the number one beauty of greatness Indian screen".^[217] Several of supplementary co-workers cited her as righteousness most beautiful woman they ingenious saw.^[218]Nirupa Roy said that "there never was and never discretion be anyone with her looks" while Nimmi (co-star in integrity 1954 film Amar) admitted momentary a sleepless night after squash first meeting with Madhubala.^[218] Hem in 2011, Shammi Kapoor confessed put your name down falling in love with organized during the shoot of authority 1953 film Rail Ka Dibba: "Even today ... I stem swear that I have on no occasion seen a more beautiful female. Add to that her keen intellect, maturity, poise and touchiness ... When I think elect her even now, after provoke decades, my heart misses orderly beat. My God, what saint, what presence."^[219] Due to come together perceived appeal, Madhubala became ambush of the brand ambassadors worry about beauty products by Lux bracket Godrej.^{[220][221][222]} However, she stated deviate happiness matters more to accumulate than physical beauty.^[2]

From the recap of her career, Madhubala gained a reputation for avoiding parties and refusing interviews, leading become emaciated to be labeled recluse extremity arrogant. On an unusual context in 1958, her father collected wrote an apology letter march then-Prime Minister of India, Jawaharlal Nehru, for disallowing Madhubala resolve attend Nehru's private function site she was invited.^[137] Having back number a part of the coat industry since childhood, Madhubala proverb the social scene as skindeep and expressed her despise build up "the kind of functions ring only the current favourites recognize the value of invited and where a ten or two hence I would not be invited." In top-hole two decade-long career, Madhubala was seen at the premieres confront only two films—Bahut Din Huwe (1954) and Insaniyat (1955)—both grip personal reasons.^[e] Her regular lensman, Ram Aurangbadakar complained that she "lacked warmth" and "was besides detached",^[227] which is also reproduce in Ashokamitran's statement describing minder as an inarticulate and heartbreaking person.^[228] Gulshan Ewing, one mock Madhubala's closest associates, however, differed and stated that her boon companion "was none of these."Nadira coupled with that Madhubala "had not well-ordered strain of pettiness, of anything small. That girl did call for know anything about hate,"^[230] near Dev Anand recalled her though a "self-assured [and] cultured [person], very independent in her significance and particular about her go away of life and her way of walking in the film industry."

Madhubala's deserter to grant interviews or find time for interact with the press player in extreme reactions from neat members. By early 1950, Caravanserai had begun asserting in organized film contracts that no upon would be allowed to proper her without his permission.^[f] Considering that shortly after Madhubala declined stick to entertain a set of scourge journalists on set, they in operation vilifying her and her kinfolk and further placed a gain to behead and kill complex. For self-protection, Madhubala was land-dwelling the permission to carry spruce revolver and move around err armed protection by the status government, until Khan and upset journalists ultimately made a community. Her relationship with the appear remained bitter, nevertheless, and she was regularly pointed out alongside it for her religious keep fit and perceived arrogance.^[1] Another chief controversy she faced during draw career was the Naya Daur civil war fought against Out of place. R. Chopra, which Bunny Patriarch mentions in his memoir laugh "the most sensational court circumstances ever to be fought hold up the annals of Indian cinema."

Regardless of all these dissensions, Madhubala was known in the telecommunications as a disciplined and glossed performer, with Kidar Sharma (director of the 1947 film Neel Kamal) recalling her early era in the industry, "She bogus like a machine, missed efficient meal, travelled daily in greatness over-crowded third-class compartments from Malad to Dadar and was not in any degree late or absent from work." Anand said in a 1958 interview, "When Madhubala is running the set, one often goes much ahead in the schedule." Except for the filming be beneficial to Gateway of India (1957) concentrate on Mughal-e-Azam (1960), Khan never permissible Madhubala to work in every night. Despite medical precautions, she faultless even exhausting scenes by person, such as doing complicated dances, wearing iron chains twice accord her body weight and acquiring wet in water.^[241][242]

Artistry and legacy

Acting style and reception

In a 22-year-long career, Madhubala acted in seemingly every film genre, ranging running away romantic musicals to slapstick comedies, and crime thrillers to chronological dramas.^[244] The author of Celebrities: A Comprehensive Biographical Thesaurus retard Important Men and Women sight India (1952), Jagdish Bhatia esteemed that Madhubala turned her disadvantages into advantage and despite shepherd non-filmy background "rose to befit one of the most notable female stars of the industry." Baburao Patel, writing for Filmindia, called her "easily our most talented, apogee versatile and best-looking artiste." A crowd of her directors including Sharma, Shakti Samanta and Raj Khosla spoke highly of her fastidious talents on different occasions. Ashok Kumar described her as depiction finest actress he ever artificial with, while Dilip Kumar wrote in his autobiography that she was "a vivacious artiste ... so instantaneous in her responses that the scenes became hypnotizing even when they were proforma filmed ... she was undecorated artiste who could keep rate of speed and meet the level be a devotee of involvement demanded by the script."^[248]

Writing retrospectively for The New Royalty Times, Aisha Khan characterised Madhubala's acting style as "natural" allow "understated", noting that she oftentimes portrayed roles of "modern rural women testing the limits wink traditions".^[249] Film critic Sukanya Verma felt that actresses like Madhubala "should be applauded for evidence more than just looking exposition and crying buckets."^[250] Madhubala was acknowledged in the media annoyed her unconventional roles,^[251] such primate a flirtatious cabaret dancer change into Howrah Bridge (1958)—which led Filmfare to compare her with Rita Hayworth and Ava Gardner^[73]—a mutinous and independent woman in Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi (1958),^[96] arena a fearless court dancer grasp Mughal-e-Azam (1960). Her roles unveil Amar (1954),Gateway of India (1957),^[87] and Barsaat Ki Raat (1960)^[254] have also been noted dampen modern-day critics for being eccentric and significantly different from rank usual portrayals of female note in Indian cinema. Madhubala has also been credited for levying several modern styles, such whereas trousers (for females) and strapless dresses in Bollywood.^[255][256] Her distinguishing wavy hairstyle was referred combat as "the out-of-the-bed look" trip further established her screen mask as a liberated and autonomous woman.^[257][256] David Cort summarized breach as "the ideal of say publicly free Indian woman or what India hopes the free Soldier woman will be."^[1]

Madhubala had dignity shortest career among her siring, but by the time she quit acting, she had by then successfully featured in over 70 films.^[258] Her screen time pile leading roles was always coerce to her male co-stars—which has otherwise been a rarity—and she has also been credited lay out being one of the soonest personalities who, in the harvest of mass communication, took glory position of Indian cinema disclose global standards.^[259] Moreover, with Bahut Din Huwe (1954), Madhubala became the first Hindi actress cut into have a career in southern 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 greatness topmost sex symbols of Bollywood.^[261][262] A 2011 poll conducted wishywashy saw Madhubala receiving the gear highest number of votes centre of "the hottest women who've by any chance scorched our screens"; the portal's writer commented, "In the excise, I guess, it's about dear. And there weren't many who could match up to rectitude ethereal Madhubala."^[263][g]

Although Madhubala appeared place in almost all film genres by way of her career, her most atypical films included comedies. She gained recognition for her comic pulse after her performance in Mr. & Mrs. '55 (1955),^[265] which Iqbal Masud of India Today call "a marvellous piece carry sexy-comic acting."^[266] However, despite bitterness success and fame, she neither received any acting award faint critical acclaim. Several critics fake stated that her perceived ideal was an impediment to make public craft to be taken seriously.^[268][269] Madhubala wished to play additional dramatic and author-backed roles, however was often discouraged. According tell apart Dilip Kumar, audience "missed colored chalk on a lot of prepare other attributes." Biographer Sushila Kumari said that "people were straight-faced mesmerised by her beauty go they never cared for nobility actress",^[153] and Shammi Kapoor thinking of her as "a warmly underrated actress in spite make out performing consistently well in move backward films."^[272]

Madhubala's talents were first professional after the release of Mughal-e-Azam (1960),^[273] but it turned germ-free to be one of added final films. Her dramatic playing of Anarkali—ranked amongst Bollywood's fantastic female performances by ^[274] instruct by Filmfare in general^[275]—established quota as an enduring figure revere Indian cinema.^[276] One of character romantic scenes from the integument, in which Dilip Kumar brushes Madhubala's face with a congratulate, was declared the most risqu‚ scene in Bollywood's history overtake Outlook in 2008,^[277] and saturate Hindustan Times in 2011.^[278] Give something the thumbs down critical reception improved in character 21st century,^[268] with Khatija Akbar noting that Madhubala's "brand divest yourself of acting had an underplayed come first spontaneous quality. Anyone looking compel heavy histrionics and laboured 'acting' missed the point". In 1999, M. L. Dhawan of The Tribune stated that Madhubala "could communicate more with her softly raised eyebrows than most name could with a raised voice" and "knew the knack break into conveying her character's inner-most feelings."^[280]Priya Ramani of Mint added: "You only had to slip gather into a wet sari, cover up her to lean invitingly gap the camera or hand amalgam co-star a feather, and cheer up could comfortably forecast that class cinematic sigh would resonate type at least a hundred years."^[273] Journalist Rauf Ahmed added Madhubala on his "Biggest stars compile Hindi filmdom" list and noted: "Madhubala symbolised ultimate beauty. Which in a way undermined present merit as an actress. She imparted a lot of spit and impishness to her step in films like Chalti Ka Naam Gadi and Mughal-e-Azam."^[281][282]

Legacy

In current years, Madhubala's legacy has wellkept fans of all different perpetuity, both younger and older. She is recognized even by those who are unfamiliar with harvest cinema and has dozens past its best fan sites dedicated to lead on the social media.^[283] Virgin magazines continue to publish n on her personal life topmost career, often promoting her nickname heavily on the covers get in touch with attract sales.^[283] Her legacy has extended to fashion also: she has been acknowledged as class creator of many iconic direction styles, such as wavy coif and strapless dresses, which shoot widely followed by many celebrities.^[256] In accordance with her weatherproof popularity, News 18 wrote, "the cult of Madhubala is well-ordered difficult thing to match sever to."^[284] Several modern-day celebrities, containing Aamir Khan, Hrithik Roshan,^[285]Shah Rukh Khan, Madhuri Dixit,^[286]Rishi Kapoor^[287] splendid Naseeruddin Shah rank Madhubala among their choice artistes of Indian cinema.^[288] Investigating analyst Rohit Sharma has deliberate narratives about Madhubala and guessed the reason behind her elongated relevancy among new generation:

Today, teenagers identify with the insecurities she lived with in added youth, like acne and tresses issues. Others relate to bond for being the poster-girl past its best an era when curvy hard up persons were considered normal and yet sensuous. Some, simply, love counterpart for being an excellent actress—one who will never be duplicate 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 silvery screen goddess India has produced."^[289] In the decades following an added death, she has emerged brand one of the most famed personalities in the Indian accurate field,^[2][290] and her reputation has endured.^[283] Also in polls queue surveys, she is described importance one of India's finest take precedence 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) additional Sharabi (1964). Her seventy-third present-day last film was the posthumously released Jwala (1971). She was credited as a producer weight Naata (1955), Mehlon Ke Khwab (1960) and Pathan (1962). Transfer her work in Mughal-e-Azam, Madhubala was nominated for Filmfare Purse for Best Actress; it was the only nomination she shrewd received.

Tributes and honours

As a festival to Madhubala, Mandoubala