How a stunt-film heroine redefined the image of the leading Indian actress
In short: Before she became a cinematic icon, Mumtaz was typecast in low-budget action films alongside wrestlers. She eventually escaped this restrictive label to become one of the highest-paid stars of her era, known for her vivacious screen presence and a signature style that continues to influence fashion today.
Born in 1947, Mumtaz Askari began her career as a child actor before transitioning into adult roles. Early in her career, she was frequently paired with freestyle wrestler Dara Singh in action-heavy features like Faulad and Daku Mangal Singh. During these collaborations, the industry standard saw Singh earn 450,000 INR per film, while Mumtaz received 250,000 INR. This association earned her the limiting reputation of a stunt-film heroine, a tag that initially hindered her professional growth and caused some leading men, such as Shashi Kapoor, to initially decline roles opposite her.
Her career trajectory shifted dramatically with the 1969 blockbuster Do Raaste. Although her role was relatively small, the film’s massive success—earning approximately 65 million rupees—helped establish her as a major star. She followed this with a critically acclaimed performance in Khilona, which earned her the Filmfare Award for Best Actress. By the early 1970s, she had secured her position as a top-tier performer, appearing in Box Office India’s ranking of leading actresses six times between 1969 and 1974, topping the list in both 1970 and 1971.
Beyond her acting, Mumtaz became a cultural touchstone. Her aesthetic, characterized by a specific draped sari style and a dewy appearance, remains a reference point in contemporary fashion. After retiring in the late 1970s and a brief, unsuccessful comeback in 1990, she moved to London. In her later years, she has become a vocal advocate for breast cancer awareness, having successfully navigated her own diagnosis at age 54. Her legacy is cemented by numerous accolades, including a Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award in 1997 and an IIFA Lifetime Achievement Award in 2008.
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