Mumtaz -The versatile actress

 

Mumtaz

 

Mumtaz is one of my favorite actresses.She started her career as  a as a child artist , and she worked as an junior artiste in her earlier days,and had a brief stint as a supporting actress in movies like  Kaajal, Khandaan, Sawan Ki Ghata, , Pyar Kiye Jaa, Mere Sanam, Suraj,and Pathhar Ke Sanam but rose to stardom due to her versatility and  talent . Even in her smaller roles against well-known actresses of that times, she was the one who got noticed and had an indelible impact upon the audiences. She acted in more than 100 films during a career span of 14 -15 years and delivered  blockbusters such as Bandhan (1969), Sachaa Jhutha (1970), Khilona (1970), Tere Mere Sapne (1971), Dushman (1971), Apna Desh (1972), Apradh, Chor Machaye Shor (1973), Jheel Ke Us Paar, Aap Ki Kasam, Roti (1974) and Prem Kahani (1975).

Mumtaz married businessman  Mayur Madhvani at the peak of her popularity in 1974. She finally retired from the film industry in 1976. Years later she appeared in the film Aandhiyan(1989) alongside Shatrughan Sinha. She received the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award in 1996 as well as she was felicitated for her “Achievements in Indian Cinema” by the International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) in June 2008 in Bangkok.

Here are some of my favorite songs from her movies that I  want to share with you.

Boond Jo Ban Gai Moti (1967)-“ Haan Maine Bhi Pyar Kiya”-Mumtaz and Jeetendra worked in Sehra  as an junior artiste and this was the first film of them together in a lead role.Later the pair became one of the hit “jodis” of 1970.She and Jeetendra worked together in other films such as Kathputli(1971), Ek Nari Ek Brahmachari (1971), Jigri Dost (1969) and Roop Tera Mastana.Here she plays a village belle who is estranged from her mother and is in love with a upright and  sincere  school master played by Jeetendra.

Humjoli-“ Tik Tik Tik Mera Dil–”Mumtaz played a cameo as a club dancer in this film produced by Jeetendra. Here she does an western style cabaret number with the “jumping jack” Jeetendra who matches her every step. It is a delightful and fun song to watch.

Kathputli (1971)-“ Ek Baat Poochhoon—”It is one of the films in which Mumtaz has given a superb performance. She plays a lover, a suffering wife and a mother separated from her child due to social stigma. Memsaabstory has written a nice synopsis of the film;you can find it here- Kathputli (1971).

Sachcha Jhootha – “Yoon hi tum mujhse”— In this film Mumtaz plays a lady undercover cop; who is on a mission to seduce and arrest a don played by Rajesh Khanna (in a double role).They both share a good screen chemistry together and were friends in professional life too. They were one of the successful screen pairs in the 70’s.

Loafer (1973)-“Mein Tere Ishq Mein”- Here she plays an accomplice of Pratap (Premnath); who is blackmailed by him to keep an eye on Rakesh (Dharmendra) and trap him in lieu of her brother’s life. This is a song in which she entreats Dharmendra not to reject her love towards him and not to ignore her.

Ek Nari Ek Brahmachari (1971)-“ Aare Tu Hai Buddhu”- Here she once again pairs with Jeetendra. In this song she along with Aruna Irani,tries to prove that women are superior to men in every field and can outdo them to a bunch of boys who are led by Jeetendra. It is a nice and playful song.

Jheel Ke Us Paar ( 1973)- Chal, chale aey dil- Mumtaz plays a blind girl who loses her eyes in an accident in her childhood. She sings a song the on the  riverside while she is watched by Dharmendra who also draws her portrait and feels sympathy for her. It is a nice and melodious song.

Tere Mere Sapne (1971)- jeevan ki bagiya mehkegi- The film is based on ‘The Citadel’, a novel by A. J. Cronin. Here she plays Nisha ,the wife of a village doctor Anand Kumar(Dev Anand). In this song the couple are expecting a child and dreaming about the joys that it will bring along with it. It shows nice chemistry between a husband and a wife.The beautiful lyrics are penned by Neeraj. A beautiful and touching song!

Tere Mere Sapne (1971)- Jaisa Radha Ne Mala Japi- The songs  of Tere Mere Sapne are nothing short of melodiousness and superb lyrics. In this song Nisha(Mumtaz) is thinking about her marriage to Dr. Anand Kumar(Dev Anand).  Director Vijay Anand has a flair for the beautiful and romantic picturization of songs and this film is no exception. Equally melodious music by S. D. Burman.

Apradh (1972)- Humare Siva- Apradh was  a 1972 action thriller romance produced and directed by Feroz Khan. In this film she plays the love interest of  Feroz Khan. It is indeed  interesting to know that both are related to each other in real life as Natasha, her elder daughter, married the actor Fardeen Khan who is the son of Feroz Khan.

These were few of my favorite songs picturized over Mumtaz. BTW,which are your favorite songs of Mumtaz?

Mumtaz

mumtaz

Related articles

•  This Singing Business (http://harveypam.wordpress.com/)
• Look, who’s here! (http://harveypam.wordpress.com/)
• Tere Mere Sapne (1971)  (http://memsaabstory.com/)
• Loafer (1973)  (http://memsaabstory.com/)
• Mere Sanam (1965) (http://dustedoff.wordpress.com/)
• Mumtaz: I am lonely (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/)
• Mumtaz – Interview (http://cineplot.com/)