There’s no denying that Madhubala was one of the most decorated names during Indian cinema’s ‘golden age’. The powerhouse performer enjoyed a strong fan following due to her mesmerising screen presence and impressive body of work. On February 14, as fans remember Madhubala on her birth anniversary, here is a look at five iconic movies that bear testimony to her talent.
Mr & Mrs ‘55 (1955)
The phenomenal response to Mr & Mrs ’55 established Madhubala, once termed as ‘box office poison’, as a bankable star. Her portrayal of a simple young woman hit the right notes, proving that she was a force to be reckoned with. The cast included Guru Dutt, Johnny Walker and Lalita Pawar.
Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi (1958)
Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi, widely regarded as one of the most popular comedies of the 50s, emerged as a big hit at the box office and received rave reviews. Madhubala impressed fans with her performance, adding a new dimension to the story with her acting. Many feel that her expressions were a highlight of the iconic Ek Ladki song.
Insan Jag Utha (1959)
Insan Jag Utha was a ‘mediocre success’ at the time of its release but has since attained cult status due to its powerful storyline. It revolved around the relationship between a naïve young woman, played by Madhubala and a man with a past, played by Sunil Dutt. They were regarded as the backbone of the film.
Mughal-e-Azam (1960)
The K Asif-directed magnum opus revolved around the journey of a ‘kanees’ who falls in love with the Mughal Prince Salim (also spelt Saleem). Madhubala did justice to the role of Anarkali, holding her own against Prithviraj Kapoor and Dilip Kumar in many famous intense scenes. Her romantic sequences with the ‘Tragedy King’ hit the right notes with the audience even today.
Half Ticket (1962)
Madhubala and Kishore Kumar's chemistry was one of the biggest highlights of this cult comedy, which emerged as a commercial and critical success. The story is of a young man who leaves home to avoid getting married. It had an impressive supporting cast that included Pradeep Kumar, Helen and Pran.
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