On-screen couples have always been in the limelight and it’s been happening for more than a decade. In the early times when Bollywood classic on-screen couples got the main center of attention and rumors spread all over the place regarding their romance.
Among all those couples, in 1968 Bollywood’s celebrated stars Shammi Kapoor and Mumtaz grabbed everyone’s attention with a popular dance number, Aaj Kal Tere Mere Pyaar Ke Charche, that has got the charm even now as well.
The couple’s on-screen romance spread like air all over India and people even thought that they were dating in real life too.
But their romance left in cold daylight with no outcome. Recently the stunning Mumtaz sat down for an interview with Pinkvilla in which she put some heavy light on her romance with Shammi jee, her marriage, and her extra-marital affairs along with that talked about the current situation in the film industry.
In conversation with gorgeous Mumtaz
Mumtaz, the veteran actor started the conversation with her alleged relationship with the Shammi Kapoor and shared how, at 17, she was dealing with heartbreak during the peak of her career. “I loved him tremendously,” the now 74-year-old star revealed. “I believe Shammiji also loved me a lot.
I felt sad that I couldn’t marry him. I was only around 17. He was 18 years older than me. It was too early for me to get married. I wanted to prove myself. We separated with understanding. He didn’t do anything to leave a khalish (ache) in my heart.”
Mumtaz then further added, “He was very sweet and caring towards me. But you can’t fight destiny. Honestly, had I got married, it wouldn’t have worked. Because I’d have always held a regret in my heart.
I wanted to act. I wanted to achieve something. The Kapoor family was strict about their bahus not working in films. Nevertheless, Shammiji married such a wonderful lady, a beautiful person. Neila Deviji’s such a sweetheart. She suited him perfectly and handled him so well.”
Very few Bollywood on-screen couples tied knot in real life, here are the seven Bollywood on-screen couples became real-life couples.
Journey of marriage
Mumtaz after heavy heartbreak then went to marry Mayur Madhvani in 1974. Mayur was not part of the entertainment industry, he had a hard time to adjust with Mumtaz’s glamorous lifestyle and glitz. The actor shared that, even though Mayur wasn’t from the fraternity, she had known him since she was ten years old.
“I knew the Madhvanis since I was 10. I knew the family in and out. I’d even been to Uganda and stayed with them. It was like moving from one home to another,” Mumtaz commented and added, “I didn’t give up on my marriage… Isiliye mera miyan bhi mera hi hai. He loves me so much.”
She then addressed how Mayur had an extra-marital affair. “It’s quite common for men to have affairs through the backdoor. My husband didn’t have any… except one.
I respect him because he told me about it. He confided that he’d developed a liking for a girl in the US. He was born and brought up in America,” the Indian star continued.
“But he insisted, ‘Mumtaz, you’re my wife. I love you and will always love you. I will never leave you.’ The problem arose because I was a little stubborn, a little difficult. But today, it’s a forgotten story. Even God forgives ones. I live like a queen. My husband has never kept me wanting for anything.
‘I began feeling lonely’ – Mumtaz
Mumtaz then went on to talk about her extra-marital affair. “Honestly, after the episode, I began feeling lonely. I was headstrong. I felt hurt. So, I flew down to India. When you’re amidst thorns and someone comes along with a rose, you do get carried away.
But it was nothing serious. Just a temporary phase, which ended soon. I’m lucky that my husband still loves me so much. Even if I fall a bit sick, all hell would break loose.”
She didn’t stop there; she went on to praise and give credit to her husband for ‘bringing her back to life after she battled cancer.
“Had it not been for my husband, I’d have been dead by now. Mine was slow-growing cancer. The doctors said that they had removed what was necessary. But Mayur’s well-read and well-informed. He insisted that they check the lymph nodes. He asked me, ‘Do you mind going through another surgery for my sake?
I want my children to have their mothers. I will love you even if you have no hair.’ I went through another surgery and out of the 22 lymph nodes, they found some growth in one.”
She added, “Years ago, the treatment was harsher. I used to turn blue after the therapy. I had to go through six chemotherapies and 35 radiations. That was the time I bloated. I had to eat well to fight the side effects of chemo. I began my weight loss journey much later.”
Regrets Mumtaz has in her lifetime
Mumtaz also shed some light on regrets she has in her lifetime. She shared, “When my parents (Sardar Begum Habib Agha and Abdul Sameed Askari) divorced, I was around three. I lived with my mother, grandma, and aunt. My father disappeared. So, as a child, I used to miss him.
Otherwise, I have no regrets.” She went on to add, “I’m someone, who went all out to fulfill my dreams. You make your own life. I call God my ‘boyfriend’. He saved me from death, he gave me a loving husband and children. My life’s been an open book. The good and the bad co-exist. Even Shahenshahs don’t get it good all the time.”
Undoubtedly Mumtaz has always been a stunning and brilliant actor in her time. She revealed that she was very conscious. “I had a voluptuous figure. I was never too slim. I was heavy everywhere. I had to control my weight.
A woman should appear proportionate. I didn’t want to be called fat,” she said. “Along with being an actor comes the challenge of always looking your best.
An actor is expected to look beautiful even in death. Janaaza bhi beautiful lagna chahiye! This is the truth. But I like to live normally. I enjoy being a housewife and I go shopping for vegetables, fruits… I want to experience everything.”
The actor then asserted, “A casual picture was taken unawares, in which you may not appear so nice, can go viral. For instance, around 20 years ago when I was undergoing cancer treatment, I bloated. That ‘bloated’ picture did the rounds for years. I got remarks like, ‘Mumtaz is done for.’”
She then concluded the interview, “On 31 July, I will be 75. I could have lied about my age but I didn’t. I guess, for 75 I’ve maintained myself pretty well. But I never come across comments saying, ‘Wow at this age she still appears fit!’ I request my critics that when I appear good, please don’t hesitate to say so.”
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