Remembering Madhubala : The ‘Marilyn Monroe of Bollywood’

Madhubala (Mumtaz Jehan Begum Dehlavi):

Early Life:

• Born on February 14, 1933, in Delhi, British India, as Mumtaz Jehan Begum Dehlavi.
• Fifth of eleven children of Ataullah Khan and Aayesha Begum.
• Born with a ventricular septal defect, a congenital heart disorder.

Childhood and Early Career:

• Moved to Bombay (now Mumbai) at the age of 8.
• Appeared in minor roles in films from a young age.
• Progressed to leading roles in the late 1940s.
• Successful films in her early career include “Neel Kamal” (1947), “Amar” (1954), “Mahal” (1949), “Badal” (1951), and “Tarana” (1951).

Career Peaks:

• Rose to international prominence with comedies like “Mr. & Mrs. ’55” (1955) and “Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi” (1958).
• Acclaimed for her roles in “Mughal-e-Azam” (1960), the highest-grossing film in India at that time.
• Established Madhubala Private Ltd. in 1953, producing three films.

Relationships:

• Notable relationships with actors Dilip Kumar and Kishore Kumar.
• Seven-year relationship with Dilip Kumar.
• Married Kishore Kumar in 1960.

Health Struggles:

• Suffered from a ventricular septal defect.
• Recurring bouts of breathlessness and hemoptysis.
• Diagnosed in the mid-1950s but kept it private to protect her career.

Later Career and Personal Life:

• Continued working in films in the 1960s despite health challenges.
• Produced and starred in successful films like “Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi” (1958) and “Barsaat Ki Raat” (1960).
• Reduced workload in the mid-1950s due to health issues.
• Last film appearance in “Sharabi” (1964).
• In 1971, an incomplete film, “Jwala,” was released posthumously.

Personal Traits:

• Deeply religious, practiced Islam.
• Owned a bungalow named “Arabian Villa” on Peddar Road in Bombay.
• Learned English and was fluent in three Hindustani languages.
• Had a collection of cars and kept eighteen Alsatian dogs as pets.

Legacy:

• Regarded as one of the highest-paid entertainers in post-independence India.
• Acclaimed for her role as Anarkali in “Mughal-e-Azam.”
• Remembered as one of the most iconic actresses in Indian cinema.
• The Madhubala Award was instituted in her memory.

Health and End of Life:

• Diagnosed with an incurable ventricular septal defect in the mid-1950s.
• Passed away on February 23, 1969, due to the complications of her heart condition.
• Despite a career cut short, Madhubala’s impact on Indian cinema remains profound.