Veteran actress Mumtaz, who graced the silver screen for nearly 30 years, recently shared her thoughts on Rajesh Khanna’s career and his eventual decline. Known for her successful collaborations with actors like Rajesh Khanna, Shammi Kapoor, Dilip Kumar, and Dharmendra, Mumtaz had a particularly memorable on-screen chemistry with Khanna, starring together in ten films.
In a conversation with Rediff, Mumtaz reflected on Rajesh Khanna’s fall from stardom. She insisted it wasn’t entirely his fault. “We stars owe our success to the audience’s love. Without it, we are nothing. It wasn’t just Rajesh Khanna’s fault. Back when he was a huge star, my bungalow was close to his. I saw famous producers and directors fawning over him. His girlfriend Anju Mahendroo would host these late-night gatherings, serving food and drinks till 3 am. I saw the same thing at Shammi Kapoor’s place. He spent a lot on entertaining guests,” she recalled.
Mumtaz noted that both Rajesh Khanna and Shammi Kapoor chose to enjoy their lives, but when it came to work, they were dedicated. “Shammi Kapoor decided to live life his way, but he always worked hard on set. The same goes for Rajesh Khanna,” she said. It’s worth mentioning that Mumtaz and Shammi Kapoor were also romantically involved at one point.
She criticized filmmakers for their excessive flattery, or ‘chamchagiri’, towards actors, while praising Sanjay Leela Bhansali for maintaining a professional distance. “He does his work, treats his actors with respect, and goes home. You are paying the actors; why do you need to flatter them?” she questioned.
When asked about a potential return to films, Mumtaz revealed she had received offers and substantial money to write her story. “I will do it when I am ready. If I return to acting, it has to be for something worthy. The films being made today don’t offer me anything. Why should I play the mother or the sister-in-law? I have always done what I wanted in life.” She added that she is interested in working with ‘Heeramandi’ director Sanjay Leela Bhansali.
