One of the most popular actresses in the late 1960s and early 1970s, Mumtaz was known for her screen presence and dancing skills. She and superstar Rajesh Khanna teamed up on many hit films.
To celebrate her 75th birthday on July 31, we choose 10 popular songs filmed on her, including a few with brilliant dance parts. We have stuck to only three songs featuring Khanna. The order is chronological.
1 Yeh Hai Reshmi Zulfon Ka – Mere Sanam (1965)
Mumtaz looked gorgeous in this song and Asha Bhosle’s voice suited her perfectly. Biswajeet was the co-star. Music was by O.P. Nayyar with Majrooh Sultanpuri writing, “Yeh hai reshmi zulfon ka andhera na ghabraaiye, jahaan tak mehak hai, mere gesuon ki, chale aaiye”.
2 Aajkal Tere Mere – Brahmachari (1968)
A rock n’ roll number with Shammi Kapoor shown playing accordion, it had a sprightly dance by Mumtaz. Sung by Mohammed Rafi and Suman Kalyanpur, it was composed by Shankar-Jaikishen. Hasrat Jaipuri began with the popular line, “Aajkal tere mere pyaar ke charche har zabaan par, sabko maloom hai aur sabko khabar ho gayee”.
3 Bindiya Chamkegi – Do Raaste (1969)
Mumtaz appeared with Rajesh Khanna, who was beginning to taste superstardom that time. Lata Mangeshkar sang this number composed by Laxmikant-Pyarelal. Anand Bakshi wrote, “Bindiya chamkegi, choodi khankegi, teri neend ude te ud jaaye, kajra behkega, gajra mehkega, maahi rus jaae te rus jaaye”. This was one of the biggest hits filmed on the actress.
4 Sanam Tu Bewafa – Khilona (1970)
Mumtaz’s dancing skills were fully evident on this song, sung brilliantly by Lata. Once again, the combination of Laxmikant-Pyarelal and Anand Bakshi was in its element. The main line was, “Agar dilbar ki rusvaai hamein manzoor ho jaaye, sanam tu bewafa ke naam se mashhoor ho jaaye”. The song also featured Shatrughan Sinha. The composition was in raag Kalavati.
5 Gori Ke Haath Mein – Mela (1971)
This song consisted of a street group dance led by Sanjay Khan and Mumtaz, with Rafi and Lata singing. R.D. Burman composed the music, and a highlight was the throbbing rhythm. Majrooh wrote, “Gori ke haath mein jaise yeh challa, aisi bhi kismat meri bhi Allah”. Mumtaz and Sanjay also appeared in the song ‘Rut Hai Milan Ki’.
6 Jeevan Ki Bagiya Mehkegi – Tere Mere Sapne (1971)
S.D. Burman composed this romantic song filmed on Mumtaz and Dev Anand. Santoor and bansuri played an important part, as Lata and Kishore sang it. Neeraj wrote the lines, “Jeevan ki bagiya mehkegi, lehkegi, chehkegi, khushiyon ki kaliyan jhoomengi, jhoolengi, phoolengi”. The pair also performed in the song ‘Hey Maine Kasam Li’.
7 Duniya Mein Logon Ko – Apna Desh (1972)
Mumtaz did a sensational dance number with Rajesh Khanna in this song sung by Asha Bhosle and composer R.D. Burman himself. The music used guitar, saxophone and trumpet marvellously. The starting line “Beera, tara tara tara, para para para” was unique, as Bakshi wrote, “Duniya mein logon ko dhoka kabhi ho jaata hai, aankhon hi aankhon mein yaaron ka dil kho jaata hai”.
8 Beimaan Hai Bada – Loafer (1973)
Dharmendra looked dashing in a brown suit as he serenaded Mumtaz in a simple black salwar kameez. Rafi sang the song composed by Laxmikant-Pyarelal. Bakshi wrote, “Aaj mausam bada, beimaan hai, bada, beimaan hai aaj mausam; aane waala koi toofan hai, koi toofan hai, aaj mausam”.
9 Ek Daal Par Tota Bole – Chor Machaye Shor (1974)
Mumtaz and Shashi Kapoor shot this hit song near Mahabaleshwar in Maharashtra. Lata and Kishore sung for them. Ravindra Jain composed the music, and Indrajit Singh Tulsi wrote, “Ek daal par tota bole, ek daal par maina; Door door baithe hain lekin pyaar toh phir bhi hai na, bolo hai na”. The parrot and mynah were uses to symbolise two people in love.
10 Karvate Badalte Rahein – Aap Ki Kasam (1974)
Shot in snow-capped Kashmir, this song was filmed on Rajesh Khanna and Mumtaz, with Kishore and Lata singing. R.D. Burman composed the music and Bakshi wrote, “Karvate badalte rahe saari raat hum, aap ki kasam, aap ki kasam; Gham na karo din judaai ke bahut hai kam, aap ki kasam, aap ki kasam”. Mumtaz and Khanna also appeared in other hit songs like ‘Suno Kaho’ and ‘Jai Jai Shiv Shankar’.
Mumtaz and Rajesh Khanna also had hit songs in Sachaa Jhutha, Roti and Prem Kahani. The actress also appeared with Manoj Kumar and Waheeda Rahman in Patthar Ke Sanam. In each song, she was charming.
