Madhubala (1933–1969) was an Indian actress and producer who appeared in 73 Hindi-language films in a career spanning from the early 1940s to the mid-1960s.[1] She made her debut at age 9 playing an uncredited role in the romantic musical Basant (1942).[2][3] In 1944, she signed a contract with Ranjit Movietone, under which she featured in minor roles for the next two years.[3][4] The contract ended in 1947, prompting director Kidar Sharma to cast Madhubala as the leading lady in the drama Neel Kamal (1947).[3] Although a commercial failure, the film garnered her critical praise,[5] and she subsequently rose to prominence after playing key characters in the drama Lal Dupatta (1948) and the horror film Mahal (1949).[3][6] For a brief period, Madhubala continued starring in a number of successful productions, including the romantic musical Dulari (1949), the dramas Beqasoor (1950) and Sangdil (1952), and the romances Badal (1951) and Tarana (1951), frequently collaborating with actors such as Dev Anand, Dilip Kumar and Prem Nath.[7][8]
 Madhubala on the 2008 stamp of India | |
| Film | 73 |
|---|---|
Dissatisfied with typecasting, in 1953 Madhubala founded her own production company, called Madhubala Private Ltd..[9][10] She afterwards played an author-backed role in Mehboob Khan's romantic drama Amar (1954) and produced the social film Naata (1955)—in which she also acted—but both the films proved to be financially unsuccessful,[11][12] which led the press to label her "box office poison".[13] Madhubala's career took a turning point in 1955 when she starred alongside filmmaker Guru Dutt as a spoilt heiress in his production Mr. & Mrs. '55 (1955),[14] a highly successful romantic comedy that satirized marriage of convenience.[15][16] She then advanced her career by performing a wider variety of roles in the period films Raj Hath and Shirin Farhad (both 1956), the black comedy Gateway of India and the drama Ek Saal (both 1957).[17]
Madhubala's popularity soared in the late 1950s and she received critical attention for her work in several films, that often co-starred actors including Kishore Kumar, Dev Anand and Bharat Bhushan.[3][18] She portrayed a journalist in the thriller Kala Pani (1958), a bar dancer in the crime drama Howrah Bridge (1958),[14] a city-based mondaine in the comedy Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi (1958),[19] and a mullish youth in the musical Barsaat Ki Raat (1960)[14]—which along with the musicals Phagun (1958) and Jhumroo (1961), and the comedies Boy Friend (1961) and Half Ticket (1962)—ranked among the highest-grossing films of their respective years.[20] Film historian Dinesh Raheja has described K. Asif's 1960 historical epic drama Mughal-e-Azam, in which Madhubala played the 16th-century courtesan Anarkali, as the "crowning glory" of her career.[21] She received a Filmfare nomination for her portrayal,[22] which has been since considered by critics as one of the greatest performances in Indian cinematic history.[23][a] After producing the tepidly received comedies Mehlon Ke Khwab (1960) and Pathan (1962),[26] Madhubala began reducing her workload. The last film she completed was the drama Sharabi, which was released in 1964 following several delays.[27][28] Two years after her death in 1969, she had a posthumous release in the action film Jwala (1971), which marked her final film role.[29]
Filmography
edit| Year | Title | Role(s) | Notes | Ref(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1942 | Basant | Manju | Child actor Credited as "Baby Mumtaz" |
[3] [30] |
| 1944 | Mumtaz Mahal | — | [31] [32] | |
| 1945 | Dhanna Bhagat | [31] | ||
| 1946 | Pujari | [31] | ||
| Phoolwari | [31] | |||
| Rajputani | [31] | |||
| 1947 | Neel Kamal | Ganga | Credited as "Mumtaz" | [33] |
| Mere Bhagwaan | [34] | |||
| Chittor Vijay | Sobhagya Devi | Lost film | [35] [36] | |
| Khoobsurat Duniya | [37] | |||
| Dil Ki Rani | Raj Kumari Singh | [38] | ||
| Saat Samundaron Ki Mallika | [39] | |||
| 1948 | Desh Sewa | Lost film | [36] [39] | |
| Amar Prem | Radha | Lost film | [3] [36] [40] [41] | |
| Parai Aag | Shobha | [42] | ||
| Lal Dupatta | Lost film | [36] [43] [44] | ||
| 1949 | Sipahiya | Rani | [45] | |
| Aparadhi | Sheela Rani | [46] [47] | ||
| Dawlat | Nirmala | [48] | ||
| Neki Aur Badi | Sushila | [49] | ||
| Imtihaan | Roopa | [50] | ||
| Paras | Priya | [51] | ||
| Mahal | Kamini (Asha)[b] | [57] [58] | ||
| Dulari | Shobha (Dulari)[b] | [59] | ||
| Singaar | Sitara | [60] [61] | ||
| 1950 | Nishana | Radha | Lost film | [36] [62] |
| Nirala | Poonam | [63] | ||
| Hanste Aansoo | Usha | First Indian film to be awarded an Adults certification | [64] [65] | |
| Beqasoor | Usha | [66] [67] | ||
| Madhubala | Madhubala | [68] [69] | ||
| Pardes | Chanda | [70] | ||
| 1951 | Tarana | Tarana | [71] | |
| Saiyan | Saiyan | [72] | ||
| Nazneen | Nazneen | [73] | ||
| Nadaan | Usha | [74] | ||
| Khazana | Asha | [75] | ||
| Badal | Ratna | [76] | ||
| Aaram | Leela | [77] | ||
| 1952 | Saqi | Rukhsana | [78] | |
| Sangdil | Kamala | [79] | ||
| 1953 | Rail Ka Dibba | Chanda | [80] | |
| Armaan | Radha | [81] | ||
| 1954 | Bahut Din Huwe | Chandrakanta | [82] | |
| Amar | Anju Roy | [83] | ||
| 1955 | Teerandaz | [84] | ||
| Naqab | Yasmin | [85] | ||
| Naata | Tara | Also producer | [86] | |
| Mr. & Mrs. '55 | Anita Verma | [87] [88] | ||
| 1956 | Raj Hath | Raja Beti | [29] [89] | |
| Shirin Farhad | Shirin | [90] | ||
| Dhake Ki Malmal | Shivana | Lost film | [36] [91] | |
| 1957 | Yahudi Ki Ladki | Hannah / Lydia[c] | [92] | |
| Gateway Of India | Anju | [93] | ||
| Ek Saal | Usha | [94] | ||
| 1958 | Baghi Sipahi | Ranjana | [95] | |
| Police | Manju | [96] [97] | ||
| Phagun | Banani | [98] | ||
| Kala Pani | Asha | [99] | ||
| Howrah Bridge | Edna | [100] | ||
| Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi | Renu | [101] | ||
| 1959 | Kal Hamara Hai | Madhu / Bela[c] | [102] | |
| Insaan Jaag Utha | Gauri | [103] | ||
| Do Ustad | Madhu Sharma (Abdul Rehman Khan)[b] | [104] | ||
| 1960 | Mehlon Ke Khwab | Asha | Also producer | [105] |
| Mughal-e-Azam | Anarkali (Nadira)[b] | Nominated—Filmfare Award for Best Actress | [3] [22] [106] | |
| Jaali Note | Renu (Beena)[b] | [107] | ||
| Barsaat Ki Raat | Shabnam | [108] | ||
| 1961 | Jhumroo | Anjana | [109] | |
| Boy Friend | Sangeeta | [110] | ||
| Passport | Rita | [111] | ||
| 1962 | Half Ticket | Asha (Rajni)[b] | [112] | |
| 1964 | Sharabi | Kamala | [113] | |
| 1971 | Jwala | Jwala | Only colour film; released posthumously | [114] [115] |
Producer roles
edit| Year | Title | Acting role | Director | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1955 | Naata | Tara | D. N. Madhok | [86] |
| 1960 | Mehlon Ke Khwab | Asha | Muhafiz Haider | [105] |
| 1962 | Pathan | — | Ataullah Khan | [116] |
Footnotes
edit- ^ Mughal-e-Azam is the highest-grossing film of all time in India (when adjusted to inflation),[24] and has been considered one of the greatest films ever made in history.[25]
- ^ a b c d e f She played a single character who has two different names.[52][53][54][55][56]
- ^ a b She played dual roles.[18]
References
editCitations
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- ^ Lanba & Patel 2012, p. 115.
- ^ a b c d e f g h "The Queen of Hearts". The Indian Express. 25 July 1997. Archived from the original on 29 April 2021. Retrieved 25 July 2021.
- ^ Deep 1996, p. 24.
- ^ Rajadhyaksha & Willemen 2014, p. 288.
- ^ "Madhubala dead". The Indian Express. 24 February 1969. p. 1. Archived from the original on 29 January 2022. Retrieved 29 January 2022.
- ^ Akbar 1997, p. 107; Lanba & Patel 2012, p. 116.
- ^ "Box Office 1949". Box Office India. 16 October 2013. Archived from the original on 16 October 2013. Retrieved 29 January 2022.
"Box Office 1950". Box Office India. 7 February 2009. Archived from the original on 7 February 2009. Retrieved 29 January 2022.
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"Box Office 1952". Box Office India. 22 September 2012. Archived from the original on 22 September 2012. Retrieved 29 January 2022. - ^ Akbar 1997, p. 159.
- ^ "Madhubala Private LTD Information". The Economic Times. Archived from the original on 8 May 2019. Retrieved 25 July 2021.
- ^ Deep 1996, p. 15; Akbar 1997, p. 61.
- ^ "Box Office 1954". 30 October 2013. Archived from the original on 30 October 2013. Retrieved 29 January 2022. (for Amar being a financial failure)
- ^ Lanba & Patel 2012, p. 116.
- ^ a b c "Madhubala's 85th birth anniversary: Beyond her arresting beauty, a look at her life's tragedies". Hindustan Times. 14 February 2018. Archived from the original on 29 November 2021. Retrieved 29 January 2022.
- ^ "Birth Anniversary Special: 5 iconic Madhubala movies too good to miss". Deccan Herald. 14 February 2021. Archived from the original on 15 July 2021. Retrieved 29 August 2021.
- ^ Bingham, Adam (29 July 2015). Directory of World Cinema: INDIA. Intellect Books. p. 35. ISBN 978-1-84150-622-7. Archived from the original on 10 February 2022. Retrieved 18 November 2021.
- ^ Lanba & Patel 2012, p. 117; Deep 1996, pp. 89–90.
- ^ a b Lanba & Patel 2012, p. 117.
- ^ Roy, Rinki (17 September 2012). "Give the Bollywood woman some respect!". Rediff.com. Archived from the original on 29 January 2022. Retrieved 29 January 2022.
- ^ "Box Office 1958". Box Office India. 22 September 2012. Archived from the original on 22 September 2012. Retrieved 10 May 2021.
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"Box Office 1961". Box Office India. 5 February 2010. Archived from the original on 5 February 2010. Retrieved 29 January 2022.
"Box Office 1962". Box Office India. 5 February 2010. Archived from the original on 5 February 2010. Retrieved 29 January 2022. - ^ Raheja, Dinesh (15 February 2003). "Mughal-e-Azam: A work of art". Rediff.com. Archived from the original on 17 October 2012. Retrieved 10 June 2012.
- ^ a b Deep 1996, p. 105–106.
- ^ Roy 2019, p. 151: "Her most challenging performance, as a doomed courtesan who is in love with the son (or crown prince) of Mughal emperor Akbar, ranks high on every list of the greatest female performances in Indian cinema."
- ^ "Top 10 Indian Films". British Film Institute. 2002. Archived from the original on 15 May 2011. Retrieved 22 August 2021.
- ^ "Top earners 1960–1969 (Figures in Ind Rs)". Box Office India. Archived from the original on 18 January 2008. Retrieved 14 November 2021.
- ^ Deep 1996, p. 94–95.
- ^ Deep 1996, p. 103, 164.
- ^ Chowdhury, Alpana (2004). Dev Anand: Dashing, Debonair. Rupa & Company. p. 64. ISBN 978-81-291-0543-1.
- ^ a b Akbar 1997, p. 121.
- ^ "Basant (1942)". Bollywood Hungama. January 1942. Archived from the original on 13 August 2021. Retrieved 13 August 2021.
- ^ a b c d e Akbar 1997, p. 44.
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- ^ "Chittor Vijay (1947)". Bollywood Hungama. January 1947. Archived from the original on 16 August 2021. Retrieved 14 August 2021.
- ^ a b c d e f Mohamed, Khalid (16 December 2017). "Here's Why Madhubala Has a Huge Millennial Fan Following". The Quint. Archived from the original on 18 October 2021. Retrieved 21 August 2021.
- ^ "Khoobsurat Duniya (1947)". Bollywood Hungama. January 1947. Archived from the original on 16 August 2021. Retrieved 14 August 2021.
- ^ "Dil Ki Rani (1947)". Bollywood Hungama. January 1947. Archived from the original on 16 August 2021. Retrieved 14 August 2021.
- ^ a b Ekbal 2009, p. 18.
- ^ Akbar 1997, p. 18.
- ^ "Amar Prem (1948)". Bollywood Hungama. January 1948. Archived from the original on 20 August 2021. Retrieved 20 August 2021.
- ^ Patel, Baburao (1 October 1948). "One More Picture of Mistaken Identity!". Filmindia. New York The Museum of Modern Art Library. Retrieved 20 August 2021.
- ^ Akbar 1997, p. 47.
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- ^ "70 Years Ago, 'Mahal' Gave Us an Early Glimpse of Gothic in Bombay Cinema". The Wire. Archived from the original on 21 August 2021. Retrieved 21 August 2021.
- ^ Deep 1996, p. 143.
- ^ My Life : Madhubala. General Press. 2 July 2014. pp. 102–103. ISBN 978-93-80914-96-1. Archived from the original on 20 January 2022. Retrieved 18 November 2021.
- ^ Raheja, Dinesh. "Mughal-e-Azam revisited". Rediff.com. Archived from the original on 21 August 2021. Retrieved 21 August 2021.
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Works cited
edit- Akbar, Khatija (1997). Madhubala: Her Life, Her Films. Hay House. ISBN 978-93-80480-81-7.
- Deep, Mohan (1996). The Mystery and Mystique of Madhubala. Magna Publishing Co. Ltd. ISBN 1906574219.
- Ekbal, Nikhat (2009). Great Muslims of undivided India. Gyan Publishing House. ISBN 9788178357560.
- Lanba, Urmila; Patel, Bhaichand (2012). Bollywood's Top 20: Superstars of Indian Cinema. Penguin Books. ISBN 9780670085729.
- Rajadhyaksha, Ashish; Willemen, Paul (2014). Encyclopedia of Indian Cinema. Routledge. ISBN 978-1135943257.
- Roy, Piyush (2019). Bollywood FAQ: All That's Left to Know About the Greatest Film Story Never Told. Applause Theatre Book Publishers. ISBN 9781495082306.