Madhubala (February 14, 1933 - February 23, 1969) is a popular Bollywood actress.
Early Life
Madhubala was born as Mumtaz Jehan Begum Dehlavi in Delhi as the 5th child into a poor, conservative Pathan Muslim family of eleven children. Her father was Ataullah Khan, a Dehli coachman who migrated to Bombay.
Film Career
Her first film was Basant (1942). Devika Rani was impressed by her performance and changed her name to Madhubala. Her big break came when she acted opposite Raj Kapoor in Kidar Sharma's Neel Kamal (1947). In 1949, Madhubala starred in the successful Bombay Talkies production Mahal, which not only boosted her career, but also playback singer Lata Mangeshkar's. Many other successful movies followed in which she played opposite Ashok Kumar, Rehman, Dilip Kumar, and Dev Anand,
In 1960, she played the role of a courtesan in the famous Indian movie Mughal-e-Azam, one of her most famous perfomances. Difficulties with a heart disease made it impossible for her to continue her career, though she tried a comback in Chalack opposite Raj Kapoor and collapsed on the first day of shooting.
Personal life
Madhubala carried on a relationship with popular actor Dilip Kumar from 1951 till 1958, but they finally broke up due to her relationship with another actor, Premnath with whom she remained friends even after his marriage and because of her father who opposed the relationship.
She married actor Kishore Kumar in 1960, who converted to Islam for her in a Muslim and a Hindu ceremony. She died on February 23, 1969 because of her heart disease and was buried along with her diary at Santacruz Burial Ground by her family and husband.
Filmography
| Movie | Year | Character |
|---|---|---|
| Jwala | 1971 | |
| Sharabi | 1964 | Kamala |
| Half Ticket | 1962 | Asha/Rajini |
| Boy Friend | 1961 | Sangeeta |
| Jhumroo | 1961 | Anjana |
| Passport | 1961 | Rita |
| Mughal-E-Azam | 1960 | Nadira Anarkali |
| Barsaat Ki Raat | 1960 | Shabnam |
| Jaali Note | 1960 | Renu |
| Mehlon Ke Khwab | 1960 | Asha |
| Do Ustad | 1959 | Madhu Sharma/Abdul Rehman Khan |
| Insaan Jaag Utha | 1959 | Gauri |
| Kal Hamara Hai | 1959 | Madhu/Bela |
| Baghi Sipahi | 1958 | |
| Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi | 1958 | Renu |
| Howrah Bridge | 1958 | Edna |
| Kalapani | 1958 | Asha |
| Phagun | 1958 | Banani |
| Police | 1958 | |
| Ek Saal | 1957 | Usha |
| Gateway of India | 1957 | Anju |
| Yahudi Ki Ladki | 1957 | |
| Dhake Ki Malmal | 1956 | |
| Raj Hath | 1956 | Raja Beti |
| Shirin Farhad | 1956 | Shirin |
| Mr. & Mrs. '55 | 1955 | Anita Verma |
| Naata | 1955 | |
| Naqab | 1955 | |
| Teerandaz | 1955 | |
| Amar | 1954 | Anju |
| Bahut Din Huye | 1954 | Chandrakanta |
| Armaan | 1953 | |
| Rail Ka Dibba | 1953 | Chanda |
| Sangdil | 1952 | Kamal |
| Saqi | 1952 | Rukhsana |
| Aaram | 1951 | Leela |
| Badal | 1951 | Ratna |
| Khazana | 1951 | |
| Nadaan | 1951 | |
| Nazneen | 1951 | |
| Saiyan | 1951 | Saiyan |
| Tarana | 1951 | Tarana |
| Beqasoor | 1950 | Usha |
| Hanste Aansoo | 1950 | |
| Madhubala | 1950 | |
| Nirala | 1950 | Poonam |
| Nishana | 1950 | |
| Pardes | 1950 | Chanda |
| Apradhi | 1949 | |
| Daulat | 1949 | |
| Dulari | 1949 | Shobha/Dulari |
| Imtihaan | 1949 | |
| Mahal | 1949 | Kamini/Mallan |
| Neki Aur Badi | 1949 | |
| Paras | 1949 | Priya |
| Singaar | 1949 | |
| Sipahiya | 1949 | |
| Amar Prem | 1948 | |
| Desh Sewa | 1948 | Mumtaz |
| Lal Dupatta | 1948 | |
| Parai Aag | 1948 | |
| Neel Kamal | 1947 | Mumtaz/Ganga |
| Chittor Vijay | 1947 | |
| Dil-Ki-Rani Sweet-Heart | 1947 | Rajkumari |
| Khubsoorat Duniya | 1947 | |
| Mere Bhagwan | 1947 | |
| Saat Samundaron Ki Mallika | 1947 | Mumtaz |
| Phoolwari | 1946 | |
| Pujari | 1946 | |
| Rajputani | 1946 | |
| Dhanna Bhagat | 1945 | |
| Mumtaz Mahal | 1944 | |
| Basant | 1942 | Baby Mumtaz/Manju |
| Shaheed-E-Mohabbat | 1936 | Mumtaz |
| Baghdad Ka Chor | 1934 | Mumtaz |