Mumtaz says whole industry refused to work with her, credits Dilip Kumar and Rajesh Khanna : Bollywood News

Veteran actor Mumtaz, in a recent interview with journalist Vicky Lalwani, reflected on a challenging phase in her career when she claims the Hindi film industry largely refused to work with her. Revisiting past perceptions and professional setbacks, the actor spoke candidly about how only a handful of people stood by her at the time — notably Dilip Kumar, Dara Singh, and later Rajesh Khanna.

Mumtaz says whole industry refused to work with her, credits Dilip Kumar and Rajesh KhannaAddressing past reports about Shashi Kapoor refusing to work with her, Mumtaz clarified that he should not be singled out. According to her, the reluctance to collaborate with her was far more widespread. “Don’t blame poor Shashi,” Mumtaz said. “The entire industry refused to work with me. Apart from Dilip Kumar and Dara Singh, who wanted to work with me? I have to give credit to Dilip Kumar. If he had not worked with me, nobody else would have.”

Mumtaz explained that although she did not immediately sign a film with Dilip Kumar during the period when Rajesh Khanna was emerging as a new star, she was still getting substantial roles. She recalled that Rajesh Khanna showed faith in her talent at a time when he could have easily declined.

“Rajesh Khanna was new then. When he was asked whether he would work with Mumtaz, he said, ‘I know her. She is a very good artist. I will definitely work with her.’ He could have refused, but he didn’t,” she said. She further shared how actor Mehmood Ali played a role in introducing her work to Dilip Kumar, which eventually led to a crucial screen test.

“At that time, when I was working with Dilip Kumar, Mehboob saab went to him and said, ‘This girl is very good. You should work with her.’ Yusuf saab then asked me to show him what kind of work I do. He arranged a trial for me at Rajji’s studio and watched it. After seeing it, he said, ‘The girl is beautiful, she dances well, she acts well, and I have a double role in Ram Aur Shyam. I will do the film with her.’ If he hadn’t worked with me, I wouldn’t be here today,” Mumtaz stated.

Looking back, Mumtaz said that apart from Dilip Kumar and Rajesh Khanna, very few actors were willing to associate with her while she was actively working in the industry.

“Other than these two, no one worked with me. Dilip Kumar worked with me, and Rajesh Khanna worked with me when I was already working. Nobody else did. Even Shashi Kapoor refused to work with me — I am confessing that. But he later worked with me,” she added.

Mumtaz’s remarks echo statements she had made earlier this year in May, also during an interview with Lalwani, where she spoke about being typecast and sidelined.

“Everybody refused to work with me and called me ‘Dara Singh ki heroine’. When Shashi refused, the producer asked him to leave the project because he had already worked with me in Faulad. Eventually, Kaka (Rajesh Khanna) stepped in and did the film with me,” she had said at the time.

Also Read: Mumtaz on how 2024 was for her, “Main koi ummeed nahin rakhti hoon, it is the best way to live”

Tags : Dara Singh, Dilip Kumar, Down Memory Lane, Down The Memory Lane, Features, Flashback, Mehmood, Mehmood Ali, Mumtaz, Rajesh Khanna, Shashi Kapoor, Throwback

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