Madhubala - the name is enough to bring a smile to your face. She is an icon of Indian Cinema whose work in Hindi Cinema is still remembered by film enthusiasts. Madhubala ruled the hearts of movie-buffs in her two-decades-long Bollywood career. No one had (or still has) a smile like her. She lit up the cinema theaters every time with her performance. For an actress to attain that level of popularity in those days was a big thing. Madhubala is undoubtedly one of the most gorgeous, influential, and talented actors of Indian Cinema.
She was the highest-paid actress of the ‘50s. Although she gave memorable performances but never won an award for her roles like her contemporaries (and to be honest back in those days, there weren’t multiple award shows).
Isn’t this a strange irony that the day the whole world celebrates love and romance, i.e., Valentine’s Day (14th February) is also the birthday of Madhubala? Here are some of the lesser-known facts about Madhubala: -
1. The real name of Madhubala is Mumtaz Jehan Begum Dehlavi.
2. She began her film career at the age of 9. Her first appearance was for the 1942 movie Basant.
3. Madhubala and Ashok Kumar starrer Mahal were released in 1949 and made Madhubala an overnight sensation across India. Her true stardom began with this movie.
4. In 1951, acclaimed Hollywood photographer James Burke visited India and photographed Madhubala extensively for Life magazine. In the same year, an article was published in Theatre Arts Magazine which described her as “the biggest star in the world - and she’s not in Beverly Hills”.
5. The mesmerizing smile and on-screen charismatic persona of Madhubala fetched her a few Hollywood roles. None other than Oscar winner director Frank Capra desperately wanted to cast her in his upcoming movie but Madhubala’s dad was opposed to that. And thus, Hollywood could never feature our immensely talented Madhubala.
6. Madhubala has always got some of the best songs in the history of Bollywood. The 1958 crime thriller film Howrah Bridge had one of Madhubala’s most iconic songs - Aaiye Meharbaan sung by Asha Bhonsle. You can watch this Bollywood Hit movie online on Mzaalo - the best free movie streaming app where you can win reward coins from brands like Growfitter, Jockey, Myntra, etc.
7. She was in a 9-year-long romantic relationship with Dilip Kumar but that couldn’t end in marriage due to Madhubala’s dad, as per sources.
8. Despite giving so many Bollywood blockbusters, most of the world still identify Madhubala with Mughal-e-Azam. In his autobiography, Dilip Kumar mentioned that during that famous “feather stroking” moment (which is also the most iconic cinematic moment in the history of Bollywood), he and Madhubala had even stopped greeting each other.
9. Madhubala was featured in 73 movies in her career. Apart from her acting skills, she has always remained a trendsetter or a fashion icon, or a diva much like today’s Bollywood heroines. For her outstanding talent, she was often known as “The Venus of Indian Cinema”. Her style is still followed by some of the aspirants and fans.
10. Marilyn Monroe was the biggest superstar of Hollywood in those days. And that’s why Madhubala was also sometimes referred to as “Marilyn Monroe of Bollywood”. One strange coincidence is that they both died at the age of 36.
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