A Honeyed Temptation – Madhubala

Her golden undertoned skin required no artificial aid. Often described as the Venus of the Indian screen, Madhubala, imparted sensuality with most innocent gestures and provocative looks. With her oval-shaped face, partly covered with strands of hair, radiant cheeks, transparent eyes followed by a curved off-centre smile-Madhubala had a face to die for. Madhubala was no ordinary beauty. When she gave her trademark smile, she made her way into everybody’s heart. Even after 4 decades of her death, she continues to have millions of fans. In her short life she amassed umpteen achievements. But in all this clamour about Madhubala’s exquisite looks, her fans and audiences overlooked the side that she was a matured and instinctive actress. Her eyes spoke volumes.

Keen to secure her family financially, Mumtaz Jahan Dehlavi, began her journey into Hindi films as Baby Mumtaz at the age of 8. It was Amiya Chakravarty’s film, under the banner of Bombay Talkies, Basant (1942). She did a few unnoticeable roles for a few years, when one day she was approached by Kidar Sharma for “Neelkamal” where she made her debut as heroine opposite Raj Kapoor who himself was a new comer then. Post “Neelkamal” she was flooded with offers. Her acting talent matured with each film. She had the ability to display flickering agony in “Mughal-E-Azam” and also had a wonderful comic sense in “Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi”. Her mischievous smile perfectly complemented Kishore Kumar’s antics.

Madhubala haunted the audiences with her mysterious ephemeral appearance when she played the role of a gardener’s daughter in “Mahal”. She swayed on the swing in rhythm, appeared on the boat and the isolated look in her eyes gave the audiences a spooky feel. “Aayega aanewala” still remains the ever perennial song on the minds of Hindi cine goers!! The song which brought Lata Mangeshkar into limelight.

Though her legendary real life romance with Dilip Kumar caused much distress to her, in reel life the twosome had set the screen ablaze with their sensual chemistry. It is said that during the making of their film “Tarana”, Dilip Kumar was so bewitched with her beauty, that he faltered each time in a romantic scene seeking Madhubala’s love. They had to give 16 retakes for this particular scene. Together they acted in films like Tarana, Sangdil, Amar, Mughal-e-Azam etc.

She had a series of flops in the 50s, this turned out to be the low phase of her career. But even in 50s she had films like “Kala Pani” with Dev Anand and a romantic comedy with Guru Dutt “Mr. & Mrs. 55. She made a strong impact in both these films. Sharing an eye candy chemistry with Dev Anand in “Acchha ji main haari………..” where she’s luring him and he looks all peeved. And an extremely romantic number with Guru Dutt……”Udhar tum haseen ho……..” where she plays the pampered rich heiress.

She bounced back in late 50s through 60s, through films like Howrah Bridge, Barsaat ki Raat, Phagun, Insaan Jaag Utha, Mughal-e-Azam, Jhumroo, Half Ticket. Madhubala drenched in rains made an irresistible picture making one’s heart go poetic. The undercurrent of romance between her and Bharat Bhushan provided stunning pictures for the Hindi cine lovers.

She is the focus of your attention in “Aaiye Meherban…..”. Howrah Bridge had stalwarts like Ashok Kumar, K.N.Singh but this was Madhubala’s song all the way. The sweltering and seducitve Madhubala wins your heart as she invites Ashok Kumar to dance with her. The song that made Asha Bhonsle famous. So in a way, Madhubala is the connect to bring both the sisters in limelight. Lata with Aaye aanewala and Asha with Aaiye meherban……..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LjZ0DCaPSP0

She represented sorrow, love, despair and guilt in Mughal-e-Azam. The song “Pyar kiya to darna kya……..” is not just about grandiose and palatial magnificence. It is about the dissent of Anarkali, the doomed courtesan, when she’s challenged by Emperor Akbar. Listed as one of the most famous Madhubala songs, the song gives an example of her as a versatile actress. Her expressions in tune with her body language and looking matchless at the same time. All this when she was at the peak of her illness. One finds himself to gaze into her steady eyes and cannot look away from her.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Au_J6jHKE0

Madhubala’s ethereal charm has always left everyone spellbound. It is true the her beauty over shadowed her acting skills. Madhubala being the most beauteous faces of the industry, continues to serenade the cinema lovers. The Venus, reflecting bright light, her erratic career cut short by her illness, doomed in love, carved out a niche for herself and commanded an unalterable place in the industry.