Mumtaz REFUTES Amitabh's 'Struggler' Tag, Recalls First And Only Film With Him 'He Was Very Wealthy'

Mumtaz ruled Bollywood as one of the most glamorous actresses during the 1970s, having worked with some of the most iconic stars, including Dev Anand, Rajesh Khanna, Shammi Kapoor, Dharmendra, and Dilip Kumar. Before quitting acting, she also starred with Amitabh Bachchan, who was in the initial phase of his acting journey. Recently, the yesteryear Bollywood diva sparked fresh debate surrounding Amitabh Bachchan’s widely cherished ‘struggler’ tag. In a candid revelation, Mumtaz claimed that, unlike most newcomers, Big B came from an affluent and cultural family, and he didn’t need to work incessantly to survive in the industry.

Mumtaz recalls her first and only film with Amitabh Bachchan

Amitabh Bachchan’s superstardom today is so great that he has got the tag of a megastar with an international fan base. But when Mumtaz worked with him, he was yet to prove his mettle as the next biggest face in Indian cinema. He was only a rising star when he worked with Mumtaz in the 1973 film, Bandhe Haath. 

While many believe Bachchan's journey from rejection slips to superstardom was a classic rags-to-riches tale, Mumtaz doesn’t buy that narrative. Recently, speaking to Radio Nasha, Mumtaz reflected on her first and only film with the megastar. Reflecting on her own beginnings in the industry and the struggles of several other outsiders trying to make a name, the actress shared that Big B hailed from an affluent family. She shared:

“See, I had to drop out of school in fourth grade, and I started working as an extra in films. I was 7 years old and we used to get Rs 500 for a role, out of which Rs 100 I had to give to the person who got us the job, and the rest I used to give to my mother. On the other hand, Amitabh ji was a highly educated and classy person. His father was a known figure, and they had a bungalow and a nice life, so I don’t understand why he needed to become an actor.”

Mumtaz fondly remembered her experience working with the soon-to-be superstar. She recalled Amitabh Bachchan as a highly educated and classy person, and working with him was a great experience for her. The Brahmachari actress expressed her wish to have done more films with the megastar. In her words:

“He was very wealthy, well-known and educated. He wanted to work; I said yes, and we made that film. I was very happy to work with him; he is a very nice person. He has a certain class, and I wish I could have done more films with him so that I could have learnt more from him.”

Amitabh Bachchan’s rise to stardom

Amitabh Bachchan made his acting debut in 1969 with Saat Hindustani and was a rising star when he worked with Mumtaz shortly before the latter stepped away from cinema to marry businessman, Mayur Madhvani. Notably, the same year Bandhe Haath hit screens, Amitabh Bachchan catapulted to fame with Zanjeer, a film that would forever change the trajectory of his career and Hindi cinema itself. From there, his reign as Bollywood’s ‘angry young man’ began, with blockbusters like Sholay, Deewaar, and Amar Akbar Anthony, cementing his legacy as one of the most iconic superstars of Indian cinema.

What are your thoughts on Mumtaz’s views that Amitabh Bachchan was never a ‘struggling’ actor?

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