Orange turned the color code for vogue soirees after Mumtaz swirled within the tangy six-yard in Brahmachari (1968). Aaj kal tere mere pyaar ke charche, an analogy of Mumtaz’s whirlwind romance with hero Shammi Kapoor, topped music countdowns and charts. Liberating her from the tag of being Dara Singh’s stunt lady, it ushered Mumtaz into the mainstream, teaming her with Jeetendra, Feroz Khan, Dharmendra…But, it was her bang-on pairing with Rajesh Khanna that partnered his superstardom and made Mumtaz the top-billed actress of the early ‘70s. Bindiya chamkegi (Do Raaste), Jai jai Shiv Shankar and Karwatein badalte rahe (both Aap Ki Kasam), Duniya mein (Apna Desh)… the songs celebrated the Mumu rhapsody. With a childlike pout and a button of a nose accessorising a sumptuous silhouette, she was a curvaceous cut-out of the Indian heroine. After quitting as Queen Bee, Mumtaz married Uganda-based entrepreneur Mayur Madhvani in 1974. Since then, she’s turned a number of checks into triumphs, even beating most cancers and private letdowns to change into a superb model of herself. It’s no shock that flashbulbs proceed to trace her every time she touches home-ground. As Mrs. Madhvani, she might helm mansions and bulk-buy jewels, however nothing can quantity to the legacy of affection Mumtaz’s merited herself. Excerpts:

Each time you go to Mumbai, social media is flooded with photos of you with followers and mates. What makes love so inexhaustible?

Sure, I obtain an incredible quantity of affection every time I go to Mumbai. I used to be lucky to characteristic in hit movies and songs with actors together with Shammi Kapoor, Jeetendra, Rajesh Khanna and others. Audiences keep in mind that. I’ve maintained myself nicely. I train repeatedly. After all, you’ll be able to’t be what you have been earlier. However when followers see me, they really feel, ‘Oh, she still looks good!’ They wish to work together with me as a result of I’m right down to earth. Additionally, I request that the media and other people use my latest pictures and never my previous ones. After I was identified with most cancers (early 2000s), I underwent round 25 radiation periods and six-seven cycles of chemotherapy. I used to be bloated. When my daughter Natasha (Madhvani) obtained married (to Fardeen Khan in 2006), I used to be at my fattest. I’ve misplaced weight step by step.

Would you resort to Botox to look younger?

I don’t do Botox as a result of it seems as if two rosogollas have been planted in your cheeks. Fillers are good. I don’t wish to look fats and ugly, so I train. We Iranians have heavy thighs. I’ve at all times had a posh about my thighs. I do seven kilometres of biking every day to agency them up. We’ve got swimming swimming pools in all my bungalows. I do thirty-four laps each day. If you wish to put on denims, it’s essential to preserve your self.

Do you watch your previous movies? That are your favourites?

Sure, I do. A movie that followers get pleasure from could be my favorite. Khilona, Tere Mere Sapne, Aaina, and so on. have been particular movies. As a result of Aaina didn’t run, Folks don’t keep in mind it. However they keep in mind Do Raaste due to the track Bindiya chamkegi although I hardly had a task within the movie. Followers hamein chadhate hai aur girate bhi hain (followers make us and break us).



Your dance numbers are nonetheless a rage.

Both you’ve gotten lachak (grace) in your physique, otherwise you don’t. My dance instructor belonged to Sitarabai Devi’s household. I realized Kathak on the age of six. My instructor was specific about the truth that even for those who raise your hand, it needs to be with grace. Rhythm is an inborn high quality.

Whom would you credit score your success to?

I’m a self-made lady. I didn’t get help from anybody besides my household. I fought to get the place I’m. Heroes refused to work with me. They put me down as Dara Singh’s heroine. However I took on the problem. Dekhti hoon mere saath kaam kaise nahi karenge (I’ll see how they received’t work with me)! Kaka (Rajesh Khanna) was a newcomer, and my pairing with him labored. Luck and dedication go collectively. As an actress, you’ve obtained to look good, possess an awesome determine, dance nicely, and even memorise dialogue shortly. Or else they are saying what number of retakes she needs. Additionally, I’m a Leo. If I need it, I be certain I get it. I’ll by no means quit.

Your chemistry with Rajesh Khanna is unsurpassable.

Hamare grah milte the (our stars matched). That’s why we by no means flopped. Like Dilip Kumar-Madhubala and Raj Kapoor-Nargis pairs, we gelled nicely. We labored collectively in round 10 movies and spent a lot time collectively. A friendship developed between us. We’d sit collectively within the story periods; we helped one another within the scenes and dances. If he had an issue, he shared it with me.



It’s believed Rajesh Khanna was a moody co-actor.

Kaka was not moody. Quite, he was picky. He wouldn’t do ha ha ha with everybody. However when he entertained folks, he was large-hearted. Dil ka achcha tha. I’m additionally picky with regards to making mates. I’ve obtained a couple of mates within the trade. I moved away from some due to their harkatein (behaviour). They’ve enormous egos. They imagine they’re the most effective on the earth, and so they can say what they like. However for those who say one thing, they get offended. In such instances, I run from the patli galli (slender lane). I inform myself, ‘Mumtaz, this is not your cup of tea.’ I’m not a hypocrite. I’m not somebody who can say, ‘Darling, you’re proper’ or ‘Darling, you’re the most effective, even when they aren’t. Apparently, heroines weren’t pleasant with you. I wouldn’t know what’s in somebody’s coronary heart. I used to be a tomboy. I used to be nearer to the boys than the ladies. It is best to ask the heroines why they weren’t near me. Nobody went out of their strategy to make mates with me. Folks could also be jealous of you or love you; it doesn’t make a distinction. With benefit, you’ll be able to obtain the unattainable.

It’s stated Rajesh Khanna was heartbroken if you obtained married and give up movies?

I obtained engaged after I was 26. At 27, I’d left the nation. Kaka would say, ‘Moti (his pet name for me), why do you want to give up so early?’ However my household needed me to quiet down. I come from a conservative Iranian household. I by no means went open air alone. My mom or aunt would at all times accompany me. My aunt suggested, ‘You’ve earned nicely. You’ve achieved what you needed to. You’ve reached the highest. From right here on, it’s going to be downhill. Earlier than the flawed man comes into your life, get married.’ My mother and father have been near the Madhvanis. Theirs was a widely known household. My mom stated, ‘He’ll take care of you’. Folks say I married a crorepati. However after I fell in love with Mayur (Madhvani), President Idi Amin had thrown out Indians from Uganda. However then issues modified. (Smiles) Folks say I’m fortunate. I deliver luck wherever I’m going.

Lengthy earlier than, Shammi Kapoor had additionally proposed marriage to you.

I labored on one movie, Brahmachari (1968), with Shammiji. We appreciated one another. Typically, ek nazar mein, you’ll be able to fall in love. Being a Kapoor, he was additionally picky concerning the lady he needed to marry. He wouldn’t marry simply anybody. I used to be keen on Shammiji. We obtained alongside nicely. However I didn’t wish to marry after I was younger, round 16–17. I used to be interested in him as a result of he was one of the crucial good-looking males within the trade. Shammiji and Feroz Khanji have been the best-looking males within the trade. Really, 99 p.c of individuals first get attracted to one another, fall in love, after which
get married. However in the present day marriages don’t final.



Why?

As a result of folks lack sabr (persistence) and tolerance. In the present day, ladies can have a baby and not using a man by way of surrogacy and IVF. That’s modified the world in a approach. Ladies aren’t in any approach lesser than males. They’re succesful, educated and earn a living. They surprise why they want a person sitting on their heads. If a person can depart us, so can we!

Coming again to your husband, did you intentionally select to marry a non-actor?

My husband is handsome, educated and belongs to a superb household. Above all, he’s hardworking and clever. He doesn’t keep in a single place for greater than 4 to 5 days. His house is the aircraft. I inform him it’s not good for his coronary heart or his well being. The minute he lands, he attends the workplace and begins work. (Smiles) It’s not straightforward to earn a living. Essentially the most particular factor about him is the truth that he beloved me and nonetheless loves me. I like him too. Like me, he by no means provides up.

Inform us about your life in Uganda.

Mayur and I get up at 6 a.m. We’ve got tea, chat, watch the information, and so on. I’m not all that educated. However being with Mayur and watching the proper issues retains me well-informed. Then I sit within the baggi (backyard automobile) and present the gardener what must be accomplished there. Later, Mayur and I’ve a lightweight breakfast. Within the night, he follows his sauna and steam routine. He doesn’t drink a lot—perhaps only a beer together with his favorite snacks. That’s the easy life we lead.



Has your husband watched your movies?

(Laughs) He should have watched a movie or two however simply bits of it. Mayur was born in Uganda and educated in London. His Hindi isn’t fluent. He enjoys English cinema.

You have been stated to be ‘every man’s fantasy’.

(Smiles) Oh, my God! I can’t deny that even in the present day, at my age, after I’m all dressed up, folks have a look at me. I’m not speaking massive. That’s as a result of I’ve maintained myself. Once more, it’s about self-discipline.

Was your husband ever possessive of you?

(Laughs) Folks respect us a lot that nobody has the himmat (dare) to return near me. However I assume it’s pure for a person to really feel possessive when a lady receives enormous compliments. Nevertheless, Mayur has by no means requested me to not discuss to this or that individual. He’s a assured man.



Shah Rukh Khan cites you as his favorite heroine.

(Smiles) I heard him say that he married Gauri as a result of she resembled ‘Mumtaz’ and has an analogous nostril. Gauri’s a reasonably lady. Really, I had the smallest nostril within the household, much like my grandmother’s. My mom used to name me nakti (snub-nosed) and giddi (brief), although I grew to be 5 toes seven inches tall. My pout is pure.

Didn’t you ever miss the digital camera?

I started working on the age of eight. I turned a heroine across the age of 13 or 14. I labored extraordinarily arduous. Audiences watch the glamour on display. However it’s essential to ask the artiste what goes behind it. It’s not straightforward. Truthfully, there was nothing that attracted me to movies once more. However sure, I miss my producers, administrators, actors and all those that have handed away, together with Kaka, Shammiji, my administrators, my producers… (Chokes) My eyes refill; I find yourself crying after I watch their movies. I miss them. While you love somebody, you miss them. It’s not good to be emotional. Seene mein dard hota hai. It hurts.

What hurts you probably the most?

If one thing flawed is written or spoken about me, if somebody believes me to be one thing I’m not, it hurts. My recommendation is to not be emotional. You endure in life. It’s not price it.



Any regrets?

After I was round three, my mother and father (Begum Habib Agha and Abdul Sameed Askari) separated. I beloved my father, and I missed him. If there’s one other lifetime, I’d wish to have my father and my mom round me. In any other case I’ve the whole lot in life. 



My father was an orthodox Iranian. The Astoria Lodge in Colaba was his. I’ve by no means lived in a slum, as was stated. I problem anybody to show that. Why do folks lie? They even present photos of a slum and say I lived there. It hurts.

Ever considered writing a biography?

I’ve acquired many affords however refused them. That will demand quite a lot of honesty.