Mumtaz, Still Bollywood's Sanam at 67

Updated: July 30, 2014 18:39 IST

Veteran yesteryear actress Mumtaz, who enthralled audiences with her beauty, acting prowess and fashion sense, turns 67 today. Let's walk down memory lane and take a pictorial look at her journey so far.

Mumtaz, Still Bollywood\'s Sanam at 67
Veteran yesteryear actress Mumtaz, who enthralled audiences with her beauty, acting prowess and fashion sense, turns 67 today. Let's walk down memory lane and take a pictorial look at her journey so far.
Mumtaz, Still Bollywood\'s Sanam at 67
Mumtaz was born on July 31, 1947 to dry-fruit vendor Abdul Saleem Askari and Shadi Habib Agha in Mumbai. Her parents were of Iranian lineage.
Mumtaz, Still Bollywood\'s Sanam at 67
Mumtaz worked as a child actress in Sone Ki Chidiya in 1958. In her teenage years, she acted as an extra in Vallah Kya Baat Hai, Stree and Sehra.

In the early ‘60s, at the age of 16, Mumtaz bagged her first A-grade film Gehra Daag directed by O P Ralhan.
Mumtaz, Still Bollywood\'s Sanam at 67
Mumtaz had a humble beginning and did minor roles in successful films like Mujhe Jeene Do (1963), Samson (1964), Hercules (1964). She continued to carry on with short appearances in movies until she got the role of the lead heroine opposite wrestler Dara Singh in Faulad the same year.
Mumtaz, Still Bollywood\'s Sanam at 67
Mumtaz came to be known as a stunt-film heroine having featured in 16 action films opposite Dara Singh including Veer Bhimsen, Tarzan Comes to Delhi, Sikandar-E-Azam, Rustom-E-Hind, Raaka, and Daku Mangal Singh.
Mumtaz, Still Bollywood\'s Sanam at 67
The actress grabbed the limelight with the role of a villain in the hit movie Mere Sanam (1965) in which she co-starred with Asha Parekh. The song Yeh Hai Reshmi Zulphon Ka Andhera, which was picturised on her, became a rage.
Mumtaz, Still Bollywood\'s Sanam at 67
Mumtaz next starred in the big-budget film Patthar Ke Sanam (1967) and gained popularity with the song Aye Dushman Jaan. Nonetheless, she was not getting any meaty roles. She supported Sharmila Tagore in several films through the 60s, such as Saawan Ki Ghata (1966), Yeh Raat Phir Na Aayegi (1966) and Mere Humdum Mere Dost (1968).
Mumtaz, Still Bollywood\'s Sanam at 67
But the major breakthrough in Mumtaz's career came when she bagged the role of the leading lady opposite superstar Dilip Kumar in Ram Aur Shyam (1967). She finally received her first Filmfare nomination for Best Supporting Actress for her role.
Mumtaz, Still Bollywood\'s Sanam at 67
She redefined the fashion of her era with her beautiful orange sari in the song Aaj Kal Tere Mere in 1968 movie Brahmachari. With every woman wishing to own a similar piece, the sari was called 'Mumtaz sari' thereon.
Mumtaz, Still Bollywood\'s Sanam at 67
Do Raaste in 1969 finally gave the actress much needed recognition. Pairing her up with actor Rajesh Khanna, director Raj Khosla brought out the star in Mumtaz.
Mumtaz, Still Bollywood\'s Sanam at 67
Mumtaz starred with Sanjeev Kumar in the 1970 movie Khilona for which she won the Filmfare Best Actress award. Mumtaz appreciated that the audience accepted her in an emotional role.
Mumtaz, Still Bollywood\'s Sanam at 67
Mumtaz teamed up with Dharmendra in 1973 for Loafer and Jheel Ke Us Paar.
Mumtaz, Still Bollywood\'s Sanam at 67
Her pairing with Jeetendra was also received positively. The couple acted in a lot of movies like Kathputli (1971), Chaahat (1971) and Roop Tera Mastaana (1972).
Mumtaz, Still Bollywood\'s Sanam at 67
Mumtaz was also Shashi Kapoor's leading lady in a number of movies like Chor Machaye Shor (1974) and Prem Kahani (1975) (which also starred Rajesh Khanna).
Mumtaz, Still Bollywood\'s Sanam at 67
Superstar Rajesh Khanna and Mumtaz delivered a number of hits together including Bandhan (1969), Sachcha Jhutaa (1970), Dushman (1971), Apna Desh (1972), Roti (1974) and Aap ki Kasam (1974) among others.
Mumtaz, Still Bollywood\'s Sanam at 67
She also featured in Tere Mere Sapne (1971) opposite Dev Anand, who also produced the movie. Later the pair appeared in Hare Raam Hare Krishna (1971), which was a huge hit.
Mumtaz, Still Bollywood\'s Sanam at 67
Among her other significant films are Tangewala (1972), Pyaar Diwana (1972) with Kishore Kumar, Bandhe Haath (1973) and Kunwaara Baap (1974) with Amitabh Bachchan.
Mumtaz, Still Bollywood\'s Sanam at 67
Touted by many as the most beautiful Bollywood actress of all times, Mumtaz acted in over a hundred films in a career of just 12 years. She was one of the highest-paid actresses in Hindi Cinema during 1970-1976.
Mumtaz, Still Bollywood\'s Sanam at 67
Towards the end of her career in the late 70s, she was seen in a supporting role in Naagin and Aaina. Her last appearance was in Aandhiyan, after which she quit the film industry. At the age of 26, she bid adieu to the world of movies to get married to Mayur Madhwani, head of one of the largest conglomerates in Uganda. Mumtaz left Mumbai and moved into manors in Mombasa and London.
Mumtaz, Still Bollywood\'s Sanam at 67
Years later, Mumtaz admitted that her marriage went through a rocky phase when her husband went astray and had an extra-marital affair. But the couple successfully resolved issues and saved their marriage.
Mumtaz, Still Bollywood\'s Sanam at 67
Mumtaz has two daughters Natasha and Tanya. Their elder daughter Natasha married actor Fardeen Khan, son of Feroz Khan, in an extravagant ceremony, in December 2005.
Mumtaz, Still Bollywood\'s Sanam at 67
In 1996, Mumtaz received the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement award.

She was honoured by the International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) in Bangkok in 2008. She was voted the second-most-popular beauty in the poll conducted as part of the celebrations of 100 years of Indian cinema, in association with the International Indian Film Academy (IIFA), in 2012.
Mumtaz, Still Bollywood\'s Sanam at 67
The bubbly Mumtaz fell prey to cancer but successfully battled the ailment with her positive attitude. Here's wishing the etheral beauty an eternity of happiness and good health on her birthday.

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