New Delhi: Actress Mumtaz, a veteran with over 30 years in the industry, recently opened up about superstar Rajesh Khanna’s successful yet turbulent career. Mumtaz, who co-starred with Khanna in ten films, shared candid insights in an interview with Rediff, discussing his popularity and eventual decline, emphasizing that his downfall wasn’t entirely his fault.
Reflecting on Rajesh Khanna’s prime years, Mumtaz said, “We stars are what we are because of your love. Without your love, we are nothing. It wasn’t entirely Rajesh Khanna’s fault. I remember when he was known as the phenomenon.”
Living close to Khanna’s house, Mumtaz recalled the constant visits from famous directors. “My bungalow was very close to his. I have seen big-name producers and directors behaving like his chamchas. His girlfriend Anju Mahendroo would play host all night. She would serve food and drinks till 3 am. I have seen the same night-long sessions in Shammi Kapoor’s home. He used to spend a fortune on entertaining guests,” she shared.
Discussing her relationship with Shammi Kapoor, Mumtaz described him as someone who “let himself go” and “decided to live life the way he wanted to.” She added, “But to his credit, when he came on set, he worked hard. The same goes for Rajesh Khanna.”
When asked about her potential comeback to films, Mumtaz said she had received many offers but is selective. “Even when I make a comeback to acting, it would have to be something worthy of me. I watch the films that are being made these days. They’ve nothing to offer me. Why should I play the mother or the bhabhi? I have always done what I wanted in life.”
On pairing with Rajesh Khanna, Mumtaz revealed, “He would get upset when I signed films with other heroes like Dharmendra ji or Dev sahab. But he worked with other heroines, and I never sulked. He thought he owned me. But never mind, it meant that he cared for me.” She also mentioned being compared to his other frequent co-star, Sharmila Tagore, but noted no bad blood between them.
Discussing Sharmila Tagore, Mumtaz said, “I respect her a lot. She is far more educated and sophisticated than I am. I started working at the age of eight, so I learned everything on the job. Whether it is Sharmila or any other heroine, I never had time to interact with them. It was God’s blessing that not one film of mine with Kaka flopped. Sharmila ji had flops with him.”
Mumtaz and Rajesh Khanna delivered hits like “Do Raaste,” “Bandhan” (1969), “Sachaa Jhutha” (1970), “Dushmun” (1971), “Apna Desh” (1972), “Roti” (1974), “Aap Ki Kasam” (1974), and “Prem Kahani” (1975). They also featured together in popular songs like “Bindiya Chamkegi,” “Chup Gaye Sare Nazare,” “Jai Jai Shiv Shankar,” and “Yeh Reshmi Zulfein.”
Meanwhile, Sharmila Tagore and Rajesh Khanna appeared in movies like “Aradhana” (1969), “Safar” (1970), “Chhoti Bahu,” “Badnam Farishte” (1971), “Amar Prem,” “Maalik” (1972), “Daag,” “Raja Rani” (1973), “Avishkaar” (1974), “Tyaag” (1977), and “Naseeb” (1981).
Rajesh Khanna ruled Bollywood in the 1960s and ’70s before the rise of his “Anand” co-star Amitabh Bachchan as the Angry Young Man. Rajesh Khanna passed away in 2012, survived by his estranged wife Dimple Kapadia, daughters Twinkle Khanna and Rinke Khanna, son-in-law Akshay Kumar, and grandson Aarav. Meanwhile, Mumtaz retired from films in 1990.
