Mumtaz’s name comes to mind as soon as the song ‘Aajkal Tere Mere Pyar Ke Charche…’ is heard. The actress worked with many big heroes in her career spanning three decades, her most hit pairing was with Rajesh Khanna. Recalling her experience, the actress told how at that time directors and producers used to listen only to the heroes. For him, any thing said or any opinion given by any big hero was like a line in stone.
Mumtaz turns 77
Mumtaz is celebrating her 77th birthday today i.e. on 31st July. The actress talked on this occasion through Zoom. She told that she is more happy in celebrating her sister Mallika’s birthday than her own. Because his birthday is often spent moving from studio to studio. Mumtaz believes in expressing her opinions openly. She told that she could never take leave on her birthday because only men were listened to in the industry at that time. She has been a part of an industry where only male co-actors were considered.
The industry used to run as per the wish of the hero.
Mumtaz said- In those days everything was decided by the will of the hero. Perhaps cake cutting would be on set for them. Whatever the hero wanted, the director and producer followed it. I just did my work and mostly kept to myself. I was so punctual that I used to reach the studio exactly at 9 o’clock. People used to match their watches when my car arrived.
Had no affair with Rajesh Khanna
Mumtaz also talked about Rajesh’s lateness and said- This is true. But we knew how to manage our schedule so that my time was not wasted. We were so in sync without mood and schedule that people thought we were in a relationship. However, there was no affair between us. Kaka (Rajesh Khanna) was with Anju Mahendru during those years when we were working together. Anju was my very good friend and still is today. Kaka and I knew how to get our work done without discussing it.
Why did you get married at the peak of your career?
At the peak of her career, Mumtaz said goodbye to her and married Mayur Madhvani. Mumtaz told the reason for this to her conservative Iranian family and said – they felt that the film industry is a bad place, where there are people who are after me. He gave me an ultimatum that either I find my husband. Or they will do it for me. I married Mayur and I am very happy. Of course, I don’t get to see him as much as I would like. He keeps traveling continuously. I am happy with what we have. Dal and roti are enough. But he doesn’t listen.