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Mumtaz Clarifies Relationship with Sharmila Tagore
Veteran actress Mumtaz has firmly stated that there is no animosity between her and fellow actress Sharmila Tagore. In her recent comments, Mumtaz acknowledged the differences in their experiences but emphasized that any perception of rivalry is unfounded. While she previously mentioned that they could not form friendships or socialize closely, she reiterated that her respect for Sharmila remains intact.
Speaking to Reddif, Mumtaz expressed her admiration for Sharmila Tagore’s sophistication and education, admitting her own experience was predominantly shaped by on-the-job learning, starting her career at the tender age of eight. “I respect her a lot. She is far more educated and sophisticated than me,” said Mumtaz. “Whether it is Sharmila or any other heroine, I never had time to interact with them.”
Mumtaz reflected on her professional relationship with the late Rajesh Khanna, sharing that she starred in more films with him than Sharmila did. “It was god’s blessing that not one film of mine with Kaka flopped. Sharmilaji had flops with him,” she noted. Additionally, she disclosed that Khanna was possessive about her during their collaborations, although he never incited competition with fellow actresses. “Rajesh Khanna never fueled the rivalry or spoke a word against Sharmilaji,” she mentioned, clarifying that his concern stemmed from care rather than competition.
In a previous interview with Times Entertainment, Mumtaz had remarked on the competitive nature of female actors in the industry, stating, “Heroines cannot be friends, not then, not now. We didn’t do dinners or hang out together. It’s always been like that.” Having made her Bollywood debut at 11 years old and enjoying a prolific career that spanned almost three decades, Mumtaz has always been known for her frank remarks regarding her contemporaries.
During her recent interview, the 77-year-old actress also reminisced about her experiences working with Dilip Kumar and Saira Banu. She recalled the warmth and kindness they showed her on set. “Sairaji was so warm during the shooting. The first scene required me to hit Dilipsaab. I was petrified. He said, ‘Why won’t you hit me? Hit me hard.’ I will never forget the kindness of people like Prithviraj Kapoor, Shashi Kapoor, Mehmoodsaab, Sunil Duttsaab… we lost them so early,” she articulated, showcasing her gratitude for the relationships formed during her career.
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