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.