Legendary actress Mumtaz set the screens on fire in her tenure in Bollywood. The veteran actress worked with a plethora of Bollywood stars from the bygone era and in a recent interview with ETimes, the actress shared some intimate details from her professional and personal life.
The yesteryear actress was loved by many and she ruled hearts with her onscreen presence. However, beyond the camera, she was rumoured to be in love with Shammi Kapoor and it was also said that the duo was keen to tie the knot.
Speaking about it, Mumtaz elaborated on her chemistry with Shammi Kapoor and shared that nobody believed she and Shammi Kapoor were in love and he even wanted to marry her. She said ‘no’ to him and instead, married Mayur Madhvani.
"The world wanted to marry me but I had to decide who I shall remain happy with. Shammi Kapoor was very loving and caring with me. Nobody would believe that we were in love. Nobody believed that I had said ‘no’ to him for marriage because Shammi’s status in riches was higher; they said ‘how can Mumtaz refuse Shammi?’. Today when I am married to Mayur Madhvani who by the grace of God has money, people believe that I had refused Shammi. Still, all said and done, I don’t think I have ever experienced so much love as Shammi gave me," Mumtaz told ETimes.
Mumtaz also denied ever planning to settle down with Feroz Khan. The legendary actress pointed out that marrying Feroz Khan was like jumping into a lake and nothing short of asking for a heartbreak. “I had one with Shammi Kapoor and I didn’t want another. Our children went on to marry each other, and our friendship remained till he died.”
Mumtaz also spoke about Rajesh Khanna. She highlighted that she and others in the industry thought that Rajesh Khanna would marry his long-time girlfriend Anju Mahendroo, but he suddenly married Dimple Kapadia.
Rajesh Khanna was 31 when he married a 16-year-old Dimple Kapadia, fresh out of the success of her debut film, Bobby.
Talking about her friend and co-star Rajesh Khanna, Mumtaz shared, “Rajesh Khanna had a steady woman in his life, Anju Mahendroo for 10 years. We all thought he would marry her but one fine morning he announced that he’s marrying Dimpy (Dimple Kapadia) and shocked everybody.”
Mumtaz made her acting debut at the age of 11 with the 1958 film Sone Ki Chidiya, but found fame after 11 years with her 1969 film Do Raaste. She went on to become one of the most popular female actors in the Hindi film industry with films - Bandhan (1969), Aadmi Aur Insaan (1969), Sachaa Jhutha (1970), Khilona (1970), Tere Mere Sapne (1971), Hare Rama Hare Krishna (1971), and many more.
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