Minoo Mumtaz celebrated her 71st birthday on April 26, 2013. I recently read that all her children have settled in Canada and she also lives in Toronto, Canada. I thought of putting together a collage of some of her memorable performances in Bollywood films. These are some of my favorites and the list is not all-inclusive. While she was known for her dancing, I have included one clip in which she is only reciting a ghazal.
Her real name was Malika Begum and she is a sister of the well-known actor Mehmood. She has acted in 55 films from 1955 till 1986. In her early years, she was often given the role of a courtesan or cabaret dancer; she also played many comedy roles opposite Johnny Walker. Later, according to her, "Then I got tired of comedy roles or dances. I got the side heroine's role in Chirag Kahan Roshani Kahan, in which two songs were picturised on me. My first film as a heroine was Hum Hain Rahi Pyar Ke. Then came Black Cat. Thereafter, I had lead roles in Ghar Ghar Ki Baat and Ghar Basa Ke Dekho."
Songs included in this collage:
Sakiya Aaj Mujhe Neend Nahi Ayegi
Voice: Asha Bhosle
Music: Hemant Kumar
Film: Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam (1962)
Kadam Behke Behke
Voice: Lata Mangeshkar
Music: Madan Mohan
Film: Bank Manager (1959)
Saba Se Ye Keh Do
Voice: Asha Bhosle
Music: Madan Mohan
Film: Bank Manager (1959)
Na Dar Sanam
Voice: Asha Bhosle
Music: Madan Mohan
Film: Aakhri Daor (1958)