Even more important than relationships? Yes, you are judged not for what you are, but how much money you have and what position you have in society. If you don’t have money and a social standing no one looks towards you. If you’re a nobody you aren’t even invited to any happening party. That’s why I’d implore all youngsters to make something of their lives. Kuch karo kuch bano. I am still remembered back home because ek zamaane mein main Mumtaz tthi.
[pullquote_left]If you were not Mumtaz, Mayur Madhvani wouldn’t have married you? I don’t think he would have… no[/pullquote_left] In that case if you were not Mumtaz, Mayur Madhvani wouldn’t have married you? I don’t think he would have… no!
What about love? Aaj kal pyar hota kahan hai? You tell me. Do you think genuine love exists in today’s day and age? You’re younger than me. You tell me.
What about the love between a parent and a child? Only the love between a mother and a child is unconditional.
That’s too cynical. It’s a fact. You look at marriages all over the world. Who looks after the child? The mother, no? My husband is a good father. But I’ve friends who have brought up their children alone. I’ve the highest regard for the mother. In my own case my parents divorced very young. My mother took both me and my sister Malka when she left my father. My father said he wouldn’t give her any money. He gave her both the daughters instead.
So your father was around? Of course.People believed I was fatherless because Devyani Chaubal wrote, ‘Mumtaz has got no father.’ I took her to court. My father who lived in Hyderabad promised to come to court to prove her wrong. He said, ‘Hum ayega court mein.’
And did he? No, the magazine and Devyani apologized publicly. I forgave them.If someone wrongs me and realizes it I am ready to forgive. But I will never tolerate nonsense.
So you were raised by your mother? My grandmother, mother and my aunt. Like ‘Three Men & A Baby’ in my life there were three women and a baby. It was a wonderful childhood. We were a typical Irani family. My mother was divorced when she was only 16. Then my mother re-married. She had two sons. One of them died. But I’ve a stepbrother named Shah Rukh Askari in Mumbai.
Then there is the other Shah Rukh who is your fan. You mean Shah Rukh Khan? Yes I heard. That’s very sweet of him.
Who is not your fan? Oh there must be many. I’ve been lucky. I started my career on the wrong note as a supporting actress. In spite of that I became one of the top-most heroines at the age of 18. That shows how much people loved me. I’d be appreciated even when I was not the heroine. My fans were with me. Then I married at 26 and left India.
Do you recall bad experiences on your way to stardom? Nothing like that. There were no cheap passes made . It all depends on how one conducts oneself. I firmly believe if you’re a hard-working and good-looking nobody except God can stop you. Our film industry does give a chance to new talent. But the newcomer has to be worth it,no? Those who talk about being forced to compromise must be lacking in talent and looks. They want to become overnight stars. As for men taking advantage of strugglers, why blame only the entertainment industry? It happens in all work places. Sexual dynamics are tapped in every profession for a raise, for a promotion, whatever. Please don’t point fingers at the film industry. And look at the kind of monies that are given to actors. You really have to be worth it to command that kind of fees.
Which are your favourite roles and films? Khilona, Tere Mere Sapne, Aaina, Aap Ki Kasam, Jheel Ke Us Paar…There were so many other hits. But I wouldn’t call them memorable films or roles. Khilona was a turning point for me. Producer L V Prasadji had the guts to sign a side actress like me in the author-backed part.It broke my glamorous tomboyish image.Do you know, Seeta Aur Geeta was offered to me? But they offered me a very small remuneration. so I said no.
