Mumtaz: A Study in Perseverance
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Why Mumtaz?
There is only one path to success and the sign post on that path says perseverance.
We all seek inspiration from our idols. Perhaps, it is a sports person, or an author, or someone in the family who has overcome all hurdles to succeed. My source of inspiration is a lady who goes by the name of Mumtaz. Yes, that actress of yesteryears. She is the embodiment of perseverance.
Why Mumtaz?
She started of her career as an extra.
She then worked in umpteen so called B-Grade movies, opposite Dara Singh.
She acted as the side kick of the established heroines of that era.
She acted as a vamp.
She went on to become the top heroine of her time.
Now how many people do you know who reinvented themselves so many times in order to pursue their dream in their field of choice.
This story is not that of rags to riches. This is the story of perseverance. Of following your dreams. And of achieving them.
And knowing that inspiration can come from anywhere.
This musical lens showcases the cinematic journey of an inspiration that is Mumtaz.
Will the person who owns this beautiful picture please get in touch. I would like to give you credit.
Mumtaz: the Junior Artist years
Mumtaz started work in films in early 1960s. In the movie Stree you can see Mumtaz as the girl who gets her nose tweaked. At least , in the subsequent movie, Sehra, she gets to run with the heroine and make those cooing sound. Both films are by V Shantaram. He must have noticed something in Mumtaz. See always had that pretty nose, you see.
In Rustom aur Sohrab, she is the woman scorned who gets jealous and gets involved in the cat fight..
Mumtaz: The C Grade Movies
Then came a string of movies with Dara Singh. In an industry where you get typecasted rapidly, one can only imagine Mumtaz's plight. She was known as Dara Singh's heroine. Period. These movies were typically male-oriented showcasing the famous Dara Singh muscles, fighting skills and stunts. The lead actress would generally be confined to seducing and screaming for help. Some of the movies she did with Dara Singh are: Samson, Hercules, Tarzan Comes to Delhi ... You can imagine the films just be the names. Here's how she looked, acted and danced. The songs are very ordinary, but be patient. There is more to come down below.
Mumtaz: The Supporting Actress
This phase saw Mumtaz taking a deliberate risk and reinvented herself. In Bollywood movies, one you are a sister or a vamp, you are always a sister or a vamp. Mumtaz entered the hallowed halls of Grade A movies as a supporting actress. And she took a complete break from Dara Singh.
She was nominated for her role as the best supporting actress in Ram Aur Shyam (One of Dilip Kumar's Heroine - but still a supporting actress). Being Shammi Kapoor's girl friend must have helped. She became a regular as supporting role in movies starring Sharmila Tagore. But you could see that her influence was growing. There had to be at least one catchy number dedicated to Mumtaz.
The song 'Allah Yeh Ada Kaisi ...' is one of the few songs that Lata sang in Qawwali style. Asha must have been missing in action. Did you notice that initially almost all the songs sung on screen by Mumtaz had Asha Bhosle as the playback. But as she moved up the scale, Lata sang all her songs.
I wonder what Sharmila Tagore thought when Mumtaz moved from being a supporting actress to her competition. Those days, Stardust - the magazine which started Key Hole Journalism - used to splash stories of tussle between Sharmila and Mumtaz vying for Rajesh Khanna's undivided attention.
Mumtaz: Rubbing it in
Shashi Kapoor once refused a film because Mumtaz was the heroine. Since Mumtaz was known as a Stunt Film heroine, Shashi wanted someone more upscale. Years later, Shashi had to eat the humble pie. He was on a decline and desperately needed a hit. he signed on Mumtaz for Chor Machaye Shor. The songs were very ordinary (except the Kishore Kumar number - Gunghroo Ki Tarah), but the movie was a hit. Here are a few songs from the movie, Chor Machaye Shor.
Was Mumtaz's presence responsible for the commercial success of Chor Machaye Shor? Who knows? But it sure serves a notice to all: "be nice to people on your way up because you will meet them on your way down."
You see it is easy to be a snob and look for inspiration in places that are 'normal': An industrialist, a cricketer, a leader, and look down on the world of glamour. Sachin is certainly a hero. So is Pele. And so is Oberoi. We may tend to disregard inspiration that can be drawn from the world of glamour. That, to me, is a mistake.
Feet of Clay
In 1973, Amitabh Bachchan and Mumtaz acted in a movie, Bandhe Haath. The first 12 Amitabh movies were commercially flop; this was one of those. In the same year, Prakash Mehra wanted to make a movie with Dev Anand and Mumtaz. Dev Anand backed out since the hero had no songs. Amitabh was roped in. Then, Mumtaz refused to act with a flop hero and backed out. Jaya who was seeing Amitabh those days stepped in. The movie was Zanjeer and went on to make movie history.
Pity Mumtaz forgot her own past.
Did you enjoy the musical journey? Yes? Then give me a thumbs-up.
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Please leave a comment so that I know you were here.
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VKumar
Jan 28, 2012 @ 1:13 pm | delete
- A very nice collection. Beautiful lens.
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bhavesh
Nov 21, 2011 @ 11:16 am | delete
- This was a nostalgic story for me. I grew up seeing Amitabh in my preteens as the hero to watch. But I also remember some of Rajesh Khanna era. Some of the songs he did with Mumtaz bring back fond memories of growing up in those days. Thank you for putting this together!
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