Madhubala, Indian actress and producer (b. 1933)
Madhubala (born Mumtaz Jehan Begum Dehlavi; 14 February 1933 – 23 February 1969) was an Indian actress and producer known for her portrayals of strong-willed and independent characters, which have been credited for marking a significant departure from the preceding depictions of women in Hindi cinema. One of the most popular and highest-paid Indian entertainers during the 1950s, Madhubala was active in film for more than two decades and played roles in over 70 motion pictures, ranging from epic dramas to social comedies. She featured prominently in the contemporary international media, acquiring a major following in the markets of South Asian, European and East African countries. In 2008, the results of an Outlook poll listed her as the most celebrated actress in Bollywood's history.
Born and raised in Delhi, Madhubala relocated to Bombay with her family when she was eight years old and shortly after appeared in minor roles in a number of films. She progressed to leading roles in the late 1940s, and gained recognition with the dramas Neel Kamal (1947) and Amar (1954), the horror film Mahal (1949), and the romantic films Badal (1951) and Tarana (1951). Following a brief setback, Madhubala found continuous critical and commercial success in the comedies Mr. & Mrs. '55 (1955), Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi (1958) and Half Ticket (1962), the crime films Howrah Bridge and Kala Pani (both 1958), and the musical Barsaat Ki Raat (1960).
Madhubala's portrayal of Anarkali in the historical epic drama Mughal-e-Azam (1960) earned her widespread acclaim and a nomination for a Filmfare award in Best Actress category; her performance has since been described by critics as one of the finest in Indian cinematic history. Mughal-e-Azam emerged as the highest-grossing film in India at that point of time, following which she worked sporadically in film, making her final appearance in the drama Sharabi (1964). Besides acting, she produced three films under her production house Madhubala Private Ltd., which was co-founded by her in 1953.
Despite maintaining strong privacy, Madhubala earned wide media coverage for her philanthropic work and personal relationships. She dated actor Dilip Kumar from 1951 to 1957, and following a two-year-long courtship, married actor-singer Kishore Kumar in 1960. Her brief marital life coincided with her health failure; she suffered from recurring bouts of breathlessness and hemoptysis caused by a ventricular septal defect, ultimately leading to her death at the age of 36. Her personal life and final years over years became subjects of media and public scrutiny.