Mumtaz is in a very happy place. “I am going through the best phase of my life. I go to sleep when I want, wake up when I want, and live in the city of my choice. I couldn’t ask for more. When I was younger, I spent all my time working round the clock, moving from one studio to another. I quit at the peak of my career to get married and have children. Now, when my children have their own lives, I am finally free to live mine the way I want.”
The yesteryear screen queen happily reflects on her plush lifestyle in response to a question about Shashi Kapoor allegedly rejecting her as his heroine because of her “stunt queen” image.
The gorgeous actress, who captivated audiences with her beauty, talent, and dancing in numerous films in the 1970s, says, “I have never thought of these negative things, nor have I held any grudges against anyone. I remember when I was still a relative newcomer, Mehmood Saab took me to Dilip Kumar for the lead role in Ram Aur Shyam. Dilip Saab looked at me and said, ‘What a beautiful girl! Why wouldn’t I want to work with her?’ So you see, I’ve never thought of rejection. I’ve always gotten what I wanted.”
Speaking of Shashi Kapoor, Mumtaz recalls, “I first worked with him in a film called Pyar Kiye Jaa in 1966. It was a lot of fun. Then, many years later, we were paired in Chor Machaye Shor, which was my last assignment before I got married and quit. We had a terrific time working together. Shashi was a thorough gentleman—a very positive individual with no malice in him.”
