Mumtaz recently created quite an internet stir by claiming that she had won more awards than Hema Malini. Hema Malini and Mumtaz were direct rivals for the no.1 position in the 1970s. Hema clearly had the edge as most of Mumtaz’s hits were attributable to her co-star Rajesh Khanna. Hema, on the other hand, was labelled the hero among heroines.
Mumtazji was it necessary to bring up this unsavoury comparison?
Subhashji, you should ask the journalist why he was asking me such questions. He was comparing me with Hema and was saying that she got more awards and I got less. So, I had to defend myself. I said that I have also won many awards. Many! And how can he say that I got less and she got more? You ask everyone and count my awards. This is what I said. So what did I say wrong? You tell me.
But why rake up this provocative issue especially now when Hema ji is grieving?
What did I say wrong? Did I get less awards? I have got more awards than all the heroines of today. And you count it yourself. I am not talking about Meena Kumari or Madhubala. I am talking about our time. You find out yourself and then call me back. I will be very grateful if you call me back. I will be very grateful to you if you call me and tell me that I was wrong. I have to defend myself. How can he say without knowing that she has got more and I have got less? If someone tells you that you are short, will you feel good if someone says this to you? Would you like it? I don't think you will like it. You will defend yourself. So that's what I did.
Perhaps the journalist should be more sensitive in his questioning
You should tell the journalist don't ask these questions to artists. Don't put them in the corner. And I will call him and tell him that you asked this question and people didn't like it. If you felt bad, please forgive me. Sorry. But I told the truth. And if he will make me fall and make someone else rise, how can I sit and listen quietly, that yes, I didn't get the awards, only Hema Malini got them? Sorry, I have been working before Hema Malini for a long time. She got awards for films I refused. I was not working with Shammi Kapoor ji those days. And there are two films of Shammi ji that I refused. Then they took Hemaji for one of them.
You mean Ramesh Sippy’s Andaz?
I am not going into that. It is not nice to talk about films I have refused. But if I count how many films I refused and how many heroines got awards in those films…. But I don't regret that. What I mean to say is that when you will make me look small, I am sorry, I am not going to tolerate it. Journalists should not ask provocative questions, we get cornered. We also have to answer. If you are going to compare me with another artiste, I can't sit like a mute parrot. I have to defend myself.
But this makes you seem vain
You can ask anyone in the industry how down-to-earth I am. I bow down to the light boys. You can ask all my staff how kind I am with them. I am not arrogant at all. I am unfortunately born a Leo. I am a lion. If someone insults me, I give it back. That's my nature. I don't want people to talk without knowing anything and blaming me. Please don't misunderstand me. I'm not that type. I am saddened by the fact that you think I am at fault. It's not my fault at all. You can count for yourself how many awards I have received and how many awards Hema ji has received.
Also, you quit at your peak in 1974
I have been working since I was seven years old. And I was loved by the whole industry. Even today, they love me. Everybody loves me. Everyone from Shah Rukh Khan to you loves me. Anyhow, no misunderstanding. Love you. Take care of yourself. Be happy in life. But don't listen to people and don't think that Mumtaz has said something wrong.
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