In a scene from the epic movie, ‘Mughal-e-Azam‘, Salim gives Anarkali thorns as a gift. She humbly accepts the gift and says, “thorns have no fear of dying, Saheb-e-Alam…” This scene describes the life of Madhubala, the actor who played Anarkali.

The beautiful and talented actor died 53 years ago, but the world has not forgotten Madhubala even today. She touched the pinnacle of fame as an actor, but her love life was strewn with thorns and a failed marriage. In addition to this, a heart ailment snatched the star from this world at the young age of 36 in 1969.

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Whenever love lives of filmstars are discussed, the couple that always finds mention is Madhubala and Dilip Kumar. Just as their on-screen chemistry was being widely talked about and appreciated, their real-life love blossomed over nine years. Dilip Kumar died on July 7 in Mumbai.

The two were engaged, but the relationship did not end in a marriage. Why didn’t the two marry? Was Madhubala’s father against her relationship? Why are Madhubala’s elder sisters opposed to a biopic?

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To find answers to all these questions, we spoke to Madhubala’s younger sister Madhur Bhushan, who shared some very interesting anecdotes from the late actor’s life. This is what she had to say:

‘Father asked Chopra Sir to change the location’  

Many people say that our father did not let Madhubala and Dilip Sahab get married, they say that he opposed the marriage as Madhubala was an earning member and met the household expenses. These claims are completely wrong. No one in our house opposed the marriage. We used to think that both were made for each other.

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Bhaijaan (Dilip Kumar) belonged to our religion, he was also a Pathan, so why would anyone object. They were separated only because of an ego clash.

BR Chopra’s film ‘Naya Daur’ was being shot in Gwalior. At the same time, the shooting of another film was going on, where people attacked the women working in the film. They even tore their clothes. Our father was very worried due to this incident. He asked Chopra Sahab to change the location of the film, which he refused.

Abba (father) did not let Aapa (Madhubala) go for the shoot and the matter reached the court. During the court hearing, Dilip Saheb spoke in favour of Chopra Saheb. Abba was not happy about this. After this incident, Dilip Sahab several times approached the subject of marriage with Aapa. She said she was willing but insisted that he come home and apologise to Abba.

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This was not acceptable to Dilip Sahab and Aapa ended the relationship. This is because she was as good a daughter as she was an actor. For Madhubala, her father’s prestige was more important than her love for Dilip Kumar. My father never asked her to break the engagement.

‘We were not allowed on the sets’  

We were 11 siblings. Abba had a good job, but he lost his job and our bad days started. Poverty forced Aapa to move Mumbai from Delhi in search of work. Otherwise, we are from a family where even getting photographed was not allowed. Even though Aapa was in the film line, we sisters had never seen a film set.

Whenever Aapa’s film was released, we would go to watch it wearing a burqa. Aapa used to do the same. To be honest, she converted from Mumtaz Aapa to Madhubala with much reluctance, out of helplessness. Abba was a Pathan and an educated Muslim from Peshawar. He never allowed his other daughters to go to the sets of the film. As far as my work in the film industry is concerned, I did two films. One before marriage and one after marriage.

‘We should pay her back’

Aapa started working at a very young age due to our poor financial condition. We, 10 siblings, were well taken care of only because of her. She did a lot for us. Now it’s our turn. She is no longer in this world but I hope that by making a biopic on her, we can pay her a small tribute. However, my elder sisters are not ready for this.

They feel that if a biopic is made, then all the things will be mentioned. There will also be a mention of Madhubala’s love affair with Dilip Sahab and her failed marriage to Kishore Kumar Bhai. I say that all these things are already known. There is nothing to hide, but my elder sisters do not understand. I know that we can pay her back only by making her biopic.

‘I will try till my last breath’

I have changed myself, but my sisters still have the same thoughts. One sister is 93-year-old, one is 90 and the other is 88. It is very difficult to change their mentality at this age, but I will work to make Aapa’s biopic until my last breath. My friend Arvind Kumar Malviya is helping me in every way. He will put in the money too but first, it is necessary to get the consent of my sisters.

Disclaimer: This interview was published on October 22, 2020