Madhubala (14 February 1933 – 23 February 1969) was an Indian actress and one of the most celebrated stars of Hindi cinema’s golden age. Famed for her beauty and screen presence, she acted in more than 70 films over about two decades. Her portrayal of Anarkali in Mughal-e-Azam (1960) is one of the most iconic performances in Indian film. She died at just 36.
Quick Facts
| Birth name | Mumtaz Jehan Begum Dehlavi |
| Born | 14 February 1933, Delhi, India |
| Died | 23 February 1969, Bombay (aged 36) |
| Known as | “The Venus of Indian cinema” |
| Breakthrough | Mahal (1949) |
| Famous role | Anarkali in Mughal-e-Azam (1960) |
| Spouse | Kishore Kumar (m. 1960) |
Early Life
Madhubala was born Mumtaz Jehan in Delhi into a large, poor Pashtun family. After her father lost his job, the family moved to Bombay, and young Mumtaz began working in films to support them. She made her debut as a child actress in Basant (1942). The actress Devika Rani is said to have suggested the screen name Madhubala.
Career
At 14 she played her first lead role, opposite Raj Kapoor in Neel Kamal (1947). The supernatural thriller Mahal (1949) made her a star. Through the 1950s she was one of Bollywood’s top actresses, with hits such as Tarana, Mr. & Mrs. ’55, Howrah Bridge and the comedy Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi (1958).
Her career-defining role came in K. Asif’s epic Mughal-e-Azam (1960), in which she played the court dancer Anarkali opposite Dilip Kumar. The song “Pyar Kiya To Darna Kya” remains a classic.
Personal Life and Death
Madhubala had a long relationship with Dilip Kumar that ended in the late 1950s. In 1960 she married the singer-actor Kishore Kumar. She had been born with a heart defect, and her health declined through the 1960s. She died in Bombay on 23 February 1969, aged 36. In 2008 India Post issued a stamp in her honour.
Selected Filmography
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where was Madhubala born?
Madhubala was born on 14 February 1933 in Delhi, India.
When did Madhubala die?
Died: 23 February 1969, Bombay (aged 36).
