On Madhubala’s 92nd birth anniversary we bring you a throwback to her much-talked about relationship with Dilip Kumar. They made an iconic pair on-screen with films like Taraana, Amar, Mughl-E-Azam and many more. In a December 1989 edition of Filmfare magazine, the editorial team published a feature on the most talked-about romantic stories from the world of cinema. Since today is also Valentine’s Day, we thought it would be fitting to look back at the most iconic and dramatic love story of all-time. A romantic saga that like any classic film has all the drama. Love at first sight, a public break-up, reconciliation and much, much more. We reproduce, word for word, an account of how Dilip Kumar and Madhubala’s relationship turned out. Read on…
Dilip Kumar and Madhubala dated openly
Dilip Kumar was attracted towards an extremely pretty, bubbly, giggly, 18-year-old Madhubala. He first met her when Mehboob Khan cast her opposite him in Taraana (1951), and there were instant vibes. By the time they were paired again, in Amar (1954), the whole world knew about their intense romance. However, Mughal-e-Azam (1960) saw the climax as well as the anti-climax of this relationship during the 10 years it was in the making.
The two called on each other, dated openly. Dilip Kumar had all the intentions of marrying Madhu, but her father, Attaullah Khan, didn’t want to lose Madhubala’s successful streak and his big family of a wife and four daughters. He allegedly planned a scheme to separate the two and Madhu fell into it unwittingly.
A court case led to their separation
BR Chopra had signed on Dilip Kumar and Madhubala for his Naya Daur (1957). On the eve of the first schedule, reportedly Attaullah Khan insisted that his daughter wouldn’t go to any outdoor location for “health reasons.” But, Naya Daur required extensive outdoor work. After an impasse, Attaullah not only withdrew Madhu from the film but refused to return the Rs 40,000 she had taken as signing amount to BR Chopra. At this stage, Dilip Kumar expected Madhu to walk out on her father and go with him to the outdoor location. But she lacked the guts to rebel. BR Chopra dragged Madhubala to court, and Dilip had no option but to testify against her. He even had to present before the court intimate letters written to him by Madhu to prove that it wasn’t he who was chasing her as alleged by her father! Attaullah lost the case and Dilip his Madhu. It was the end of a great off-screen love story.
Madhubala and Dilip Kumar lost their intensity on sets of Mughl-E-Azam
Attaullah Khan couldn’t stop Madhu from working with Dilip Kumar in Mughal-e-Azam. Though, according to Sitara Devi, the then Mrs K Asif, after the bitter episode the love scenes between Madhu and Dilip lost their intensity. “Earlier, their romantic scenes were real. And Asif would let them continue, even after the camera had stopped rolling. But, during the latter half of the film, one could see the simmering hostility between the two. I still remember the scene of Anarkali’s chunwai. Every time Dilip looked in her eyes, Madhubala would curse him under her breath. ‘Tumhari murad kabhi poori nahin hogi, she would tell him. And then cry: ‘I can never forget him. Allah use kabhi maaf nahin karega. The chunwai scene was so insipid that it was eventually deleted from the film.”
It’s a misconception that Vyjayanthimala, who had replaced Madhu in Naya Daur, managed to replace her in Dilip Kumar’s heart as well. Though the two made a good pair and Dilip cast Vyjayanthi in his own film Gunga Jumna (1961), she was not personally dedicated to the Tragedy King.
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