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Madhubala, who started acting at 8, became a superstar at 16 and the highest-paid actress at 21. She starred in several hits like 'Mughal-e-Azam' but died at 36 from a heart defect. Her last film, Jwala, released posthumously Madhubala, fondly remembered as the ‘Marilyn Monroe of Bollywood’ and the ‘Venus of Indian Cinema, stands as one of Bollywood’s most cherished and iconic actresses.
With her enchanting beauty, soulful eyes, and magnetic screen presence, she became a timeless legend whose allure continues to captivate audiences across generations. Madhubala , also known as Mumtaz Jahan Begum, began her Bollywood journey as a child artist at the age of 8. She made her acting debut in 1947 at the age of 14 with the film Neel Kamal .
This film garnered her critical praise and led to more acting opportunities. Her next film, Lal Dupatta , was released the following year and was also well-received. She rose to prominence by playing key characters in many notable films like the psychological thriller, Mahal (1949), opposite renowned Bollywood actor Ashok Kumar.
Becoming A Leading Actress In Hindi Cinema By 1949, Madhubala emerged as a leading actress in Hindi cinema, becoming a female superstar at 16. Over the next two years, she appeared in numerous films, with most of them being signed when she was just 18. At 21, in the mid-1950s, Madhubala became the highest-paid actress in Hindi cinema, earning more than contemporaries like Dilip Kumar, Raj Kapoor, and Dev Anand.
In 1955, she starred opposite Guru Dutt in Mr. & Mrs. ’55 and garnered praise for her charm and comic timing playing the role of a spoilt heiress in this production.
The film Mughal-e-Azam , released in 1960, was a major success as well. However, Madhubala’s health began to deteriorate due to a congenital heart defect. Despite undergoing treatment, she continued to work.
Three of her films were released in the early 1960s. Sadly, she passed away in 1969 at the age of 36. Her final film, Jwala , was released in 1971.
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